All migratory waterfowl, coot, snipe, mourning dove and band-tailed pigeon are closed to harvest unless season dates are specified in this section. Hunters must comply with the bag, possession, and season limits described in this section. Failure to do so constitutes a violation of RCW
77.15.245,
77.15.400, or
77.15.430, depending on the species hunted and the circumstances of the violation.
DUCKS
Statewide: Oct. 14-22, 2023, and Oct. 25, 2023 - Jan. 28, 2024; except scaup season closed Oct. 14 - Nov. 3, 2023.
Special youth hunting days open only to hunters 15 years of age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting): Sept. 23, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024, in Western Washington (West Zone); Sept. 30, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024, in Eastern Washington (East Zone).
Special veterans and active military personnel hunting day open only to hunters as defined in Section 3 of 16 U.S. Code Sec. 704 as amended by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Active duty military includes members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service, and discharged or released under Honorable conditions: Feb. 3, 2024, in Western Washington (West Zone) and Eastern Washington (East Zone). Hunters must have one of the following, or a copy of, during the hunt: DD214, Veteran Benefit Card, Retired Active Military I.D., or Active Duty I.D. card.
Daily Bag Limit: 7 ducks, to include not more than 2 hen mallard, 1 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, and 2 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 2 scoter, 2 long-tailed duck, and 2 goldeneye in Western Washington.
Possession Limit for Regular Season: 21 ducks, to include not more than 6 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 6 scaup, 6 canvasback, and 6 redhead statewide; and to include not more than 6 scoter, 6 long-tailed duck, and 6 goldeneye in Western Washington.
Possession Limit for Youth, Veterans and Active Military Personnel Hunting Days: Same as Daily Bag Limit.
Harlequin Duck: Season closed statewide.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT SEA DUCKS
Hunters must physically possess a special 2023-2024 paper or electronic hunting authorization and harvest record card for sea ducks when hunting scoter, long-tailed duck, and goldeneye in Western Washington. Immediately after taking a sea duck into possession, hunters must record all required information on the harvest record card. Hunters required to physically possess a paper harvest record card must enter all required information in ink. Hunters required to physically possess an electronic harvest record card must enter all required information through the licensing mobile application.
COOT (Mudhen)
Same areas and dates (including youth, veterans and active military personnel hunting days) as the duck season.
Daily Bag Limit: 25 coots.
Possession Limit: 75 coots.
Possession Limit for Youth, Veterans and Active Military Personnel Hunting Days: Dame as Daily Bag Limit.
SNIPE
Same areas and dates (except youth, veterans and active military personnel hunting days) as the duck season.
Daily Bag Limit: 8 snipe.
Possession Limit: 24 snipe.
GEESE (except Brant)
Special youth hunting days open only to hunters 15 years of age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting): Sept. 23, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024, in Western Washington (West Zone); Sept. 30, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024, in Eastern Washington (East Zone).
Special veterans and active military personnel hunting day open only to hunters as defined in Section 3 of 16 U.S. Code Sec. 704 as amended by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Active duty military includes members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service, and discharged or released under Honorable conditions: Feb. 3, 2024, in Western Washington (West Zone) and Eastern Washington (East Zone). Hunters must have one of the following, or a copy of, during the hunt: DD214, Veteran Benefit Card, Retired Active Military I.D., or Active Duty I.D. card.
Daily Bag Limit for September dates: 4 Canada geese and 10 white-fronted geese.
Daily Bag Limit for February date: 4 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 10 white-fronted geese, and 10 white geese (snow, Ross', blue phase), except in Goose Management Area 2 Coast and Inland where the bag limit for Canada geese is reduced to 3 and dusky Canada geese remain closed to harvest.
Possession Limit for Youth, Veterans and Active Military Personnel Hunting Days: Same as Daily Bag Limit.
Western Washington Goose Seasons
Goose Management Area 1: Skagit and Whatcom counties, and that portion of Snohomish County west of Interstate 5.
September Canada Goose Season
Sept. 2-7, 2023.
Daily Bag Limit: 5 Canada geese.
Possession Limit: 15 Canada geese.
Regular Season
Oct. 14 – Nov. 26, and Dec. 9, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024, for Canada and white-fronted geese (except brant).
Oct. 14 – Nov. 26, and Dec. 9, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024, and Feb. 10-20, 2024, for snow, Ross', and blue geese (collectively referred to as white geese). During Feb. 10-20, 2024, in Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish counties, specified WDFW lands including Fir Island Farm Game Reserve, Island Unit, Johnson DeBay's Slough Swan Reserve and Hunt Unit, Leque Island Unit, Samish Unit, Samish River Unit, South Padilla Bay Unit, and Skagit Headquarters Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area, and all units of the Whatcom Wildlife Area are closed to goose hunting in Goose Management Area 1.
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 10 white-fronted geese, and 10 white geese (snow, Ross', blue phase). During Feb. 10-20, 2024: 20 white geese.
Possession Limit: 12 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 30 white-fronted geese, and 30 white geese (snow, Ross', blue phase). During Feb. 10-20, 2024: 60 white geese.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT SNOW GEESE
Hunters must physically possess a special 2023-2024 paper or electronic migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for snow geese when hunting snow, Ross', and blue geese in Goose Management Area 1. Immediately after taking a snow, Ross', or blue goose into possession, hunters must record all required information on the harvest record card. Hunters required to physically possess a paper harvest record card must enter all required information in ink. Hunters required to physically possess an electronic harvest record card must enter all required information through the licensing mobile application.
SKAGIT COUNTY AND WHATCOM COUNTY SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir Island in Skagit County or to discharge a firearm for the purpose of hunting snow geese within 100 feet of any paved public road in other areas of Skagit County or Whatcom County.
While hunting snow geese, if a hunter is convicted of (a) trespass; (b) shooting from, across, or along the maintained part of any public highway; (c) discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 100 feet of any paved public road on Fir Island in Skagit County or discharging a firearm within 100 feet of any paved public road for the purpose of hunting snow geese in other areas of Skagit County or Whatcom County; or (d) exceeding the daily bag limit for geese, authorization will be invalidated for the remainder of the current snow goose season and an authorization will not be issued for the subsequent snow goose season.
Goose Management Area 2 - Coast: Pacific County and the portion of Grays Harbor County west of highway 101.
September Canada Goose Season
Sept. 2-10, 2023.
Daily Bag Limit: 5 Canada geese, except 15 Canada geese in Pacific County.
Possession Limit: 15 Canada geese, except 45 Canada geese in Pacific County.
Regular Season
Open in all areas from 30 minutes after the start of official hunting hours to 30 minutes before the end of official hunting hours, 7 days per week during Oct. 14-29, 2023; Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. 1 – Dec. 3, 2023, and Dec. 20, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024, and Feb. 10-21, 2024. During Feb. 10-21, 2024, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) and WDFW Wildlife Areas are closed to goose hunting in Goose Management Area 2 - Coast.
Bag Limits for Goose Management Area 2 - Coast:
Daily Bag Limit: 3 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 10 white-fronted geese, and 10 white geese (snow, Ross', blue).
Possession Limit: 9 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 30 white-fronted geese, and 30 white geese (snow, Ross', blue).
Dusky Canada geese: SEASON CLOSED.
Goose Management Area 2 - Inland: Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum counties and the portion of Grays Harbor County east of highway 101.
September Canada Goose Season
Sept. 2-10, 2023.
Daily Bag Limit: 5 Canada geese.
Possession Limit: 15 Canada geese.
Regular Season
Open in all areas except Ridgefield NWR from 30 minutes after the start of official hunting hours to 30 minutes before the end of official hunting hours, 7 days per week during Oct. 14-29, 2023; Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only, Nov. 22, 2023 – Jan. 14, 2024, and Feb. 10 – Mar. 6, 2024. During Feb. 10 – Mar. 6, 2024, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) and WDFW Wildlife Areas are closed to goose hunting in Goose Management Area 2 - Inland. Ridgefield NWR open from 30 minutes after the start of official hunting hours to 30 minutes before the end of official hunting hours, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, Oct. 14-29, 2023, and Nov. 22, 2023 – Jan. 13, 2024.
Bag Limits for Goose Management Area 2 - Inland:
Daily Bag Limit: 3 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 10 white-fronted geese, and 10 white geese (snow, Ross', blue).
Possession Limit: 9 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 30 white-fronted geese, and 30 white geese (snow, Ross', blue).
Dusky Canada geese: SEASON CLOSED.
Special Provisions for Goose Management Area 2 Coast and Inland Regular Season only:
A dusky Canada goose is defined as a dark-breasted (as shown in the Munsell color chart 10 YR, 5 or less) Canada goose with a culmen (bill) length of 40-50 mm.
Hunters must physically possess a valid special 2023-2024 paper or electronic migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for geese when hunting all goose species in Goose Management Area 2 Coast and Inland. New hunters and those who did not maintain a valid 2022-2023 authorization must review goose identification training materials and score a minimum of 80% on a goose identification test to receive authorization. Hunters who fail a test must wait 28 days before retesting, and will not be issued a reciprocal authorization until that time. Immediately after taking a goose into possession, hunters must record all required information on the harvest record card. Hunters required to physically possess a paper harvest record card must enter all required information in ink. Hunters required to physically possess an electronic harvest record card must enter all required information through the licensing mobile application.
It is unlawful for hunters in Goose Management Area 2 Coast and Inland to fail to comply with the directions of authorized department personnel related to the collection of goose subspecies information pursuant to RCW
77.12.071. A person who prevents department personnel from collecting samples of tissue or other bodily parts is subject to prosecution under RCW
77.15.360 Unlawful interfering in department operations
—Penalty. If a hunter takes a dusky Canada goose or does not comply with requirements listed above regarding WDFW collection of subspecies information, authorization will be invalidated by the department and the hunter will not be able to hunt geese in Goose Management Area 2 Coast and Inland for the remainder of the season. It is unlawful to fail to comply with all provisions listed above for Goose Management Area 2 Coast and Inland. Taking one dusky Canada goose is punishable as an infraction under RCW
77.15.160 (5)(b). Other violations of Area 2 goose hunting rules are punishable as an infraction under RCW
77.15.160 (2)(e) or as a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor under RCW
77.15.400 unlawful hunting of wild birds, depending on the circumstances of the violation.
Goose Management Area 3
Includes all parts of Western Washington not included in Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
September Canada Goose Season
Sept. 2-7, 2023.
Daily Bag Limit: 5 Canada geese.
Possession Limit: 15 Canada geese.
Regular Season
Oct. 14-26, 2023, and Nov. 4, 2023 – Jan. 28, 2024.
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 10 white-fronted geese, and 10 white geese (snow, Ross', blue).
Possession Limit: 12 Canada geese (except dusky Canada geese which are closed to harvest), 30 white-fronted geese, and 30 white geese (snow, Ross', blue).
Eastern Washington Goose Seasons
September Canada Goose Season (Eastern Washington)
Sept. 2-3, 2023.
Daily Bag Limit: 5 Canada geese.
Possession Limit: 10 Canada geese.
Goose Management Area 4
Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla counties.
Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only during Oct. 14, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024; additionally, to accommodate opportunity during recognized holiday periods, the 2023-2024 season will include: Nov. 10, 23, and 24, 2023; Dec. 25, 26, 28, and 29, 2023, and Jan. 1 and 15, 2024; and every day Jan. 22-28, 2024, for Canada geese and white-fronted geese.
Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays only during Oct. 14-22, 2023, and Nov. 10, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024; additionally, to accommodate opportunity during recognized holiday periods, the 2022-2023 season will include: Nov. 10, 23, and 24, 2023; Dec. 25, 26, 28, and 29, 2023, and Jan. 1 and 15, 2024; and every day Jan. 22-28, 2024, and Feb. 17 – Mar. 3, 2024, for snow, Ross', and blue phase geese (collectively referred to as white geese).
Goose Management Area 5
Includes all parts of Eastern Washington not included in Goose Management Area 4.
Oct. 14-30, 2023, and every day from Nov. 4, 2022 – Jan. 28, 2024.
Bag Limits for all Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas during regular seasons:
Daily Bag Limit: 4 Canada geese, 10 white-fronted geese, and 10 white geese (snow, Ross', blue). During Feb. 17 – Mar. 3, 2024, in GMA4: 20 white geese.
Possession Limit: 12 Canada geese, 30 white-fronted geese, and 30 white geese (snow, Ross', blue). During Feb. 17 – Mar. 3, 2024, in GMA4: 60 white geese.
BRANT
Will remain closed in Skagit County, including during the youth, veteran, and active military date, and may only open under the following conditions on specified dates.
If the 2023-2024 brant population in Skagit County is below 3,000 (as determined by aerial survey), the brant season in Skagit County will remain closed.
If the 2023-2024 brant population in Skagit County is 3,000-6,000 (as determined by aerial survey), the brant season in Skagit County will be open on the following dates: Jan. 20, 24, and 27, 2024, and during the Feb. 3, 2024, youth, veterans, and active military date.
If the 2022-2023 brant population in Skagit County is greater than 6,000 (as determined by aerial survey), the brant season in Skagit County will be open on the following dates: Jan. 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, and 28, 2024, and during the Feb. 3, 2024, youth, veterans, and active military date.
Open in Clallam and Whatcom counties only on the following dates: Jan. 20, 24, and 27, 2024.
Open in Pacific County only on the following dates: Jan. 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, and 28, 2024, but may be adjusted pending the most recent 3-year running average results of the Pacific flyway winter brant survey.
Special youth, open to hunters 15 years of age or under (must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who is not hunting), veterans and active military personnel hunting day, open to hunters as defined in Section 3 of 16 U.S. Code Sec. 704 as amended by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Active duty military includes members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for training). Veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service, and discharged or released under Honorable conditions: Feb. 3, 2024. Hunters must have one of the following, or a copy of, during the hunt: DD214, Veteran Benefit Card, Retired Active Military I.D., or Active Duty I.D. card.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT BRANT
Hunters must physically possess a special 2023-2024 paper or electronic migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for brant when hunting brant. Immediately after taking a brant into possession, hunters must record all required information on the harvest record card. Hunters required to physically possess a paper harvest record card must enter all required information in ink. Hunters required to physically possess an electronic harvest record card must enter all required information through the licensing mobile application.
Bag Limits for Clallam, Skagit, Pacific and Whatcom counties:
Daily Bag Limit: 2 brant.
Possession Limit: 6 brant.
Special youth, veterans and active military personnel hunting day.
Daily Bag and Possession Limit: 2 brant.
SWANS
Season closed statewide.
MOURNING DOVE
Sept. 1 - Oct. 30, 2023, statewide.
Daily Bag Limit: 15 mourning doves.
Possession Limit: 45 mourning doves.
BAND-TAILED PIGEON
Sept. 16-24, 2023, statewide.
Daily Bag Limit: 2 band-tailed pigeons.
Possession Limit: 6 band-tailed pigeons.
AUTHORIZATION AND HARVEST RECORD CARD REQUIRED TO HUNT BAND-TAILED PIGEONS
Hunters must physically possess a special 2023-2024 paper or electronic migratory bird hunting authorization and harvest record card for band-tailed pigeons when hunting band-tailed pigeons. Immediately after taking a band-tailed pigeon into possession, hunters must record all required information on the harvest record card. Hunters required to physically possess a paper harvest record card must enter all required information in ink. Hunters required to physically possess an electronic harvest record card must enter all required information through the licensing mobile application.
FALCONRY SEASONS
DUCKS, COOTS, SNIPE, GEESE, AND MOURNING DOVES (EXCEPT BRANT)(Falconry)
Same season dates for each species in each area as listed above.
Daily Bag Limit: 3, straight or mixed bag, including ducks, coots, snipe, geese, and mourning doves during established seasons.
Possession Limit: 3 times the daily bag limit.
DUCKS, COOTS, CANADA GEESE, WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, WHITE GEESE AND BRANT
(Extended Falconry)
Sept. 23, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024, in Western Washington (West Zone).
Sept. 30, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024, in Eastern Washington (East Zone).
Daily Bag Limit: 3, straight or mixed bag, including allowable species specified under youth, veterans and active military personnel dates.
Possession Limit: Same as the Daily Bag Limit.
MOURNING DOVE(Extended Falconry)
Oct. 31 - Dec. 16, 2023.
Daily Bag Limit: 3, straight or mixed bag, including ducks, coots, snipe, and geese during established seasons.
Possession Limit: 3 times the daily bag limit.
HIP REQUIREMENTS:
All hunters of migratory game birds (duck, goose, coot, snipe, mourning dove, and band-tailed pigeon) age 16 and over are required to complete a harvest information program (HIP) survey at a license dealer and possess a Washington migratory bird permit as evidence of compliance with this requirement when hunting migratory game birds. Youth hunters are required to complete a HIP survey and possess a Washington migratory bird permit (free for youth) as evidence of compliance with this requirement when hunting migratory game birds.
