PDFWAC 220-415-020
2024-2026 Deer general seasons and definitions.
It is unlawful to fail to comply with the bag, possession, and season limits described below. Violations of this section are punishable under RCW 77.15.410 Unlawful hunting of big game—Penalty.
Bag Limit: One (1) deer per hunter during the license year except where otherwise permitted by department rule.
Hunting Method: Hunters must select one of the hunting methods: Modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.
Any Buck Deer Seasons: Open only to the taking of deer with visible antlers (buck fawns illegal).
Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long, measured on the longest side.
Antler Restrictions:APPLIES TO ALL HUNTERS DURING ANY GENERAL SEASON AND DESIGNATED SPECIAL PERMIT SEASONS. Buck deer taken in antler restricted game management units (GMUs) must meet minimum antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are antler points on one side only. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch long.
3-point Minimum GMUs: All mule deer in 100, 200, and 300 series GMUs; white-tailed deer in GMUs 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186, and black-tailed deer in GMU 578.
Permit-only Units: The following GMUs require a special permit to hunt deer: 290 (Desert), 329 (Quilomene), 371 (Alkali), and 485 (Green River).
GMUs Closed to Deer Hunting: 157 (Mill Creek Watershed), 490 (Cedar River) and 522 (Loo-wit).
Types of deer that a person may legally hunt in Washington:
Black-tailed Deer: Any member of black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found west of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
Mule Deer: Any member of black-tailed/mule deer (species Odocoileus hemionus) found east of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
White-tailed Deer: Any white-tailed deer (member of the species Odocoileus virginianus), except the Columbian whitetail deer (species Odocoileus virginianus leucurus).
MODERN FIREARM DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: A valid modern firearm deer tag for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Modern firearm deer tag hunters may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, bow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.
Hunt Season | 2024 Dates | 2025 Dates | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Deer |
HIGH BUCK HUNTS | |||||
Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Alpine Lakes, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Olympic Peninsula, and Henry Jackson Wilderness Areas and Lake Chelan Recreation Area | 3 pt. min. | |
GENERAL SEASON | |||||
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Oct. 12-25 | Oct. 11-24 | Oct. 17-30 | 101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124 | Any buck |
Oct. 12-22 | Oct. 11-21 | Oct. 17-27 | 203 through 284 | Any buck | |
Oct. 12-22 | Oct. 11-21 | Oct. 17-27 | 127 through 154, 162 through 186 | 3 pt. min. | |
Oct. 12-22 | Oct. 11-21 | Oct. 17-27 | 373, 379, 381 | Any deer | |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Oct. 12-22 | Oct. 11-21 | Oct. 17-27 | 101 through 154, 162 through 186, 203 through 284, 328, 330 through 368, 372, 373, 379, 381, 382, 388 | 3 pt. min. |
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer | Oct. 12-31 | Oct. 11-31 | Oct. 17 - Nov. 1 | 407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 454, 460, 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 556, 560, 568, 572, 574, 601 through 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 627 through 654, 658 through 699 | Any buck |
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 564, 655, Deer Area 6020 | Any deer | ||||
Oct. 12-31 | Oct. 11-31 | Oct. 17 - Nov. 1 | 578 | 3 pt. min | |
LATE GENERAL SEASON | |||||
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 14-17 | Nov. 13-16 | Nov. 19-22 | 407, 454, 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 560, 568, 572, 601 through 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 627 through 654, 658 through 699 | Any buck |
Nov. 14-17 | Nov. 13-16 | Nov. 19-22 | 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 564, 655, Deer Area 6020 | Any deer | |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Nov. 9-19 | Nov. 8-19 | Nov. 7-19 | 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124 | Any buck |
YOUTH GENERAL SEASONS | |||||
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Oct. 19-25 | Oct. 25-31 | Oct. 24-30 | 124 | Any deer |
Oct. 19-22 | Oct. 25-28 | Oct. 24-27 | 127 through 142 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
ARCHERY DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: A valid archery deer tag for the area hunted.
Special Notes: Archery tag holders can only hunt during archery seasons with archery equipment (WAC 220-414-070).
Hunt Area | 2024 Dates | 2025 Dates | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Deer |
EARLY ARCHERY GENERAL DEER SEASONS | |||||
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 1-27 | Sept. 1-26 | Sept. 1-25 | 407 through 426, 437, 448, 450, 454, 466, 501, 504, 505, 554, 564, 568, 621 through 636, 648 through 652, 654 through 673, 684 | Any deer |
460, 503, 574, 601 through 618, 638, 642, 653, 681 and 699 | Any buck | ||||
578 | 3 pt. min. | ||||
Sept. 1-22 | Sept. 1-21 | Sept. 1-20 | 510, 513, 516, 520, 524, 530, 556 | Any deer | |
506, 550, 560, 572 | Any buck | ||||
Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Sept. 1-27 | Sept. 1-26 | Sept. 1-25 | 101 through 136, 145, 149, 166 through 175, 186, 204 through 250, 254 through 278, 334, 382, 388 | 3 pt. min. |
139, 142, 284, 372, 373, 379, 381, Deer Area 3334 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | ||||
Sept. 1-22 | Sept. 1-21 | Sept. 1-20 | 154, 162, 163, 178, 181, 251, 328, 335, 336, 340, 346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368 | 3 pt. min. | |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Sept. 1-27 | Sept. 1-26 | Sept. 1-25 | 101 through 124 | Any buck |
Sept. 1-27 | Sept. 1-26 | Sept. 1-25 | 204 through 250, 254 through 284, 373, 379, 381 | Any deer | |
Sept. 1-27 | Sept. 1-26 | Sept. 1-25 | |||
Sept. 1-27 | Sept. 1-26 | Sept. 1-25 | 127 through 142, 145, 149,166, 169, 172, 175, 186 | 3 pt. min. | |
Sept. 1-22 | Sept. 1-22 | Sept. 1-22 | 154, 162, 163, 178, 181 | 3 pt. min. | |
LATE ARCHERY GENERAL DEER SEASONS | |||||
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | 437, 466, 510 through 520, 524 | Any deer |
Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | 448, 460, 506, 530, 560, 572, 601, 603 through 618, 638, 642, 681, and 699 | Any buck | |
Nov. 27 - Dec. 31 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 31 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 31 | 407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 454, 505, 564, 624, 627, 636, 648, 652, 654, 655, 660 through 672 | Any deer | |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Nov. 21-30 | Nov. 21-30 | Nov. 21-30 | 209, 215, 233, 243, 250 | 3 pt. min. |
Nov. 27 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 336, 342, 346, 352, 364, 388, Deer Area 3682 | 3 pt. min. | |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 145, 163, 178, 272, 278 | 3 pt. min. | |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 373, Deer Area 3372 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | |
Dec. 1-8 | Dec. 1-8 | Dec. 1-8 | GMU 382 | 3 pt. min. | |
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 10 - Dec. 15 | 101 | Any buck |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | 105, 108, 117, 121, 124 | Any buck | |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | 127 | 3 pt. min. | |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 145, 163, 178, 272, 278 | 3 pt. min. | |
Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | 204, 209, 215, 233, 243 | Any deer | |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 373 | Any deer | |
MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASONS
License Required: A valid big game hunting license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required: A valid muzzleloader deer tag for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Muzzleloader as defined under WAC 220-414-060, crossbow equipment as defined under WAC 220-414-100, or archery equipment as defined under WAC 220-414-070.
Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during muzzleloader seasons.
Hunt Area | 2024 Dates | 2025 Dates | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs) | Legal Deer |
High Buck Hunts | Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Sept. 15-25 | Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Mount Baker, Olympic Peninsula, and Henry Jackson Wilderness areas, and Lake Chelan Recreation Area | 3 pt. min. |
EARLY MUZZLELOADER GENERAL DEER SEASONS | |||||
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 | Sept. 27 - Oct. 5 | Sept. 26 - Oct. 4 | 407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 501, 503, 504, 505, 506, 510, 513, 516, 520, 530, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 603, 607, 612, 615, 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 633 through 651, 660, 663, 672, 673 | Any buck |
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 454, 564, 627, 652, 655, 666, 684, and Deer Area 6020 | Any deer | ||||
578 | 3 pt. min. | ||||
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 | Sept. 27 - Oct. 5 | Sept. 26 - Oct. 4 | 101 through 124, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284 | Any buck |
127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 175, 181, 186 | 3 pt. min. | ||||
373, 379 | Any deer | ||||
Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 | Sept. 27 - Oct. 5 | Sept. 26 - Oct. 4 | 101 through 149, 175, 181, 186, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 328, 330 through 342, 352 through 368, 373, 379 | 3 pt. min. |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 | Sept. 27 - Oct. 5 | Sept. 26 - Oct. 4 | Deer Areas 3334 and 3372 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
LATE MUZZLELOADER GENERAL DEER SEASONS | |||||
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | 407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 454, 504, 564, 633, 654, 666, 667, and 684 | Any deer |
448, 460, 501, 602, 621, 651, 658, and 673 | Any buck | ||||
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer | Nov. 27 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 26 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 113 | Any buck |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 130, 133, 136, 139, 142 | 3 pt. min. | |
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | 172, 181 | 3 pt. min. | |
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 379, 381 | Any deer | |
Eastern Washington Mule Deer | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 379, 381 | 3 pt. min. |
Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | Nov. 20-30 | 382 | 3 pt. min. | |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.08.030, 77.08.045, 77.12.047, 77.12.722, 77.12.800, 77.15.190, 77.32.320, 77.32.530, and 77.32.535. WSR 24-11-029 (Order 23-18), § 220-415-020, filed 5/7/24, effective 6/7/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 22-15-096 (Order 22-71), § 220-415-020, filed 7/19/22, effective 8/19/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, and 77.12.240. WSR 21-14-022 (Order 21-61), § 220-415-020, filed 6/28/21, effective 7/29/21; WSR 20-12-080 (Order 20-76), § 220-415-020, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/2/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.090, 77.04.130, 77.15.568, 77.08.010, 77.65.510, 77.65.515, and 77.65.520. WSR 19-10-011 (Order 19-79), § 220-415-020, filed 4/19/19, effective 5/20/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.12.040, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.210, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.570, 77.12.800, 77.15.245, 77.32.007, 77.32.050, 77.32.070, 77.32.090, 77.32.370, and 77.32.530. WSR 18-11-061 (Order 18-76), § 220-415-020, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.12.800, 77.32.090. WSR 17-10-076 (Order 17-10), amended and recodified as § 220-415-020, filed 5/3/17, effective 6/3/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.12.800, 77.32.090, 77.32.155. WSR 16-15-045 (Order 16-182), § 232-28-357, filed 7/14/16, effective 8/14/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 15-10-059 (Order 15-98), § 232-28-357, filed 4/30/15, effective 5/31/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-357, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-357, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-357, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12.]