Elk General Seasons

License Required:

A valid big game hunting license which includes elk as a species option.

Elk Tag:

You must choose either an eastern or western Washington modern firearm elk tag. Multi-season tags can also be used. Elk tag areas are shown on the map on the Elk General Information page.

Hunting Method:

• You may use modern firearm, archery, crossbow, or muzzleloader, during modern firearm seasons. Hunting equipment must meet regulations.
• Baiting Regulations for deer and elk have been adopted (see Elk General Information).

Bag Limit:

One elk per hunter during the hunting season, except for successful Master Hunter special permit applicants and where otherwise permitted by department rule. No more than 2 elk may be harvested per license year.

Firearm Restrictions & Hunting Closures:

The GMU you hunt in may be affected by a firearm restriction or a hunting closure. See Firearm Restriction Areas for a full list of Commission-designated firearm restrictions by county. See Hunting Access and Closures page for a list of restricted or hunting closure areas. Other firearm restriction or hunting closure areas are established by local ordinance. Consult your local sheriff or city for other restriction areas.

Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent Hunter Pink:

Is required for anyone hunting in an area open to modern firearm general deer or elk seasons.

Night Hunting and Hound Hunting During Deer and Elk Hunting Seasons

Hunting at night:

• It is unlawful to hunt bobcat and raccoon at night during modern firearm deer or elk general seasons that occur in October and November in eastern and western Washington. A small game license is required to harvest a bobcat or raccoon.
• Hunting big game with the aid of an artificial light, spotlight, or night vision equipment is prohibited. Night vision equipment includes electronic light amplification devices, thermal imaging devices, and other comparable equipment used to enhance night vision. Coyote may be hunted at night with lights year round, EXCEPT it is unlawful to hunt coyote at night during modern firearm deer or elk general seasons that occur in October and November in eastern and western Washington.

Hound hunting:

• Dogs may be used to hunt raccoon, EXCEPT it is unlawful to hunt raccoons with dogs during modern firearm deer or elk general seasons that occur in October and November in eastern and western Washington.
• Dogs may be used to assist with the recovery of wounded big game except bear and cougar (see Prohibited Hunting Methods).

Small Game Seasons

• Will be published in the Game Bird and Small Game Regulations pamphlet in June.

License Required:

A valid big game hunting license, which includes elk as a species option.

Elk Tag:

You must choose either an eastern or western Washington archery elk tag. Multi-season tags can also be used. Elk tag areas are shown on the map.

Hunting Method:

• Archery only. Archery tag holders can only hunt during archery elk seasons and must hunt with archery equipment. Hunting equipment must meet archery regulations. Mechanical broadheads are legal to use for hunting.
• Baiting Regulations for deer and elk have been adopted.

Bag Limit:

One elk per hunter during the hunting season, except for successful Master Hunter special permit applicants and where otherwise permitted by department rule. No more than two elk may be harvested per license year.

Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent Hunter Pink:

Is required for anyone hunting in an area open to modern firearm general deer or elk seasons.

Season Overlaps:

Early archery elk season overlaps the modern firearm damage control Elk Area 3911 Fairview hunt in portions of GMUs: 328, 329, 334, 335

Late archery elk season overlaps late muzzleloader elk in GMUs: 203, 209–248, 250, 254–290, 278, 379, 381, 448, 454, Elk Area 4601, 564, 666, 667, 503, 505, 652

Late archery elk season overlaps modern firearm elk in GMUs: 203, 209–248, 250, 254–290, 278, 379, 381

Note: Grouse, bear, goat, and sheep seasons may be open concurrent with archery seasons.

Hound Hunting:

• Dogs may be used to assist with the recovery of wounded big game except bear and cougar (see Prohibited Hunting Methods).

License Required:

A valid big game hunting license, which includes elk as a species option.

Elk Tag:

You must choose either an eastern or western Washington muzzleloader elk tag. Multi-season tags can also be used. Elk tag areas are shown on the map.

Hunting Method:

• Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during muzzleloader seasons and must hunt with muzzleloader, crossbow, or archery equipment. Hunting equipment must meet regulations.
• Baiting Regulations for deer and elk have been adopted.

Bag Limit:

One elk per hunter during the hunting season, except for successful Master Hunter special permit applicants and where otherwise permitted by department rule. No more than 2 elk may be harvested per license year.

Season Overlap:

Late muzzleloader elk seasons overlap late archery deer seasons in GMUs: 454, 505, 564, 618, 666, 667

Late muzzleloader elk seasons overlap late archery elk seasons in GMUs: 203, 209–248, 250, 254–290, 278, 379, 381, 448, 454, 564, 666, 667, 503, 505, 652

Firearm Restrictions & Hunting Closures:

The GMU you hunt in may be affected by a firearm restriction or a hunting closure. See Firearm Restriction Areas for a full list of Commission-designated firearm restrictions by county. See the Hunting Access and Closures page for a list of restricted or hunting closure areas. Other firearm restriction or hunting closure areas are established by local ordinance. Consult your local sheriff or city for other restriction areas.

Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent Hunter Pink:

Is required for anyone hunting in an area open to modern firearm general deer or elk seasons.

Hound Hunting:

• Dogs may be used to assist with the recovery of wounded big game except bear and cougar (see Prohibited Hunting Methods).