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Washington

Game Bird Hunting

Game Bird Hunting

Hunting Area Information

Information on lands open to public hunting, including WDFW Wildlife Areas, is available from WDFW offices for the geographical areas shown (see Contact Information for WDFW offices). Thousands of acres of both federal and state lands are open to public hunting, in addition to several National Wildlife Refuges that operate regulated hunting programs. Please see below for National Wildlife Refuge information. Information on WDFW Wildlife Areas and hunting access is available online at wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas.

Tribal Lands

There are both state and tribal rules and license requirements pertaining to non-tribal hunting within Native American reservations. You can find more information about tribal hunting on our website at: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/management/tribal.

State hunting requirements and rules are in this pamphlet. Please call the appropriate WDFW Regional office if you have any questions about complying with state rules and licensing requirements when hunting on Indian reservations.

For tribal rules and license requirements, check with appropriate tribal authorities.

Upland bird seasons established by the state within the Colville and Yakama Reservations are the same as the seasons that the tribes established for these reservations.

For information regarding hunting or fishing within the boundaries of the Colville Tribal Reservation, hunters should contact the office of the Colville Confederated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department, (509) 634-2110, to determine the tribal permits and regulations applicable to such activities.

For information regarding hunting migratory and upland birds on tribal-owned lands within the external boundaries of the Yakama Reservation, hunters should contact the Yakama Nation, (509) 865-5121, ext. 6307, to determine the applicable tribal permits and regulations.

For questions regarding differences in licensing, regulations, use of electronic decoys, or other information, please contact the WDFW Region 3 Yakima office at (509) 575-2740.

Public Conduct on WDFW Lands

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted rules (Washington Administrative Code 220-500, https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=220-500) in December 2007 after years of discussion and extensive public review. As the number of users and types of use continue to increase on WDFW lands, the rules provide a fair and sensible approach to protecting both fish and wildlife habitats and recreational values consistent with healthy wildlife populations.

These rules only apply on WDFW lands. The complete public conduct rule package is available on the web at: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220.

The rules address behavior and conduct, parking, camping, campfires, dumping and littering, target shooting, fireworks, pets, building blinds and tree stands, access, commercial and noncommercial use, and enforcement.

Fire rules allow campfires up to a maximum of three feet in diameter and three feet high unless posted otherwise. The rules also include a 21-day camping limit within a 30-day period unless posted otherwise. Vehicles should not be left unattended for more than 21 days. Unattended blinds are available to the public on a “first-come-first-serve” basis. These rules were designed to provide an equal opportunity for all users.

The firearms and target practicing rule prohibits the use of glass, signs, appliances, mattresses, televisions, furniture, and exploding items as targets. With the exception of clay pigeons, debris from target practice should be removed. These rules, along with no-littering laws, address a growing concern for the amount of garbage left on public lands. The rules also prohibit the discharge of firearms within 500 feet of one of the 21 department-designated campgrounds. These very limited shooting restrictions were included to protect the recreating public.

Rules governing pets allow hunters to use hunting dogs under their control, but not to let them or other pets roam unattended. From April through July, all dogs and other pets must be leashed on WDFW lands to protect nesting wildlife.

To manage multiple user groups, a permit from the department is required for any private or public event involving more than thirty people.

A commercial use permit from the department is required for any activity on department lands where a fee is charged or where the purpose is the sale or barter of a good or service regardless of whether the activity is intended to produce a profit. Hunting guides on WDFW lands are not permitted without a permit from the Director.

All those who use WDFW lands are encouraged to take a look at these rules. If they are followed, WDFW public lands will continue to provide safe, beautiful wildlands for all users to enjoy now and in the future.

National Wildlife Refuges

Hunting is allowed on many National Wildlife Refuges. Please contact the refuge for specific information or visit www.fws.gov/refuges

Ridgefield*
28908 NW Main Ave.
PO Box 457
Ridgefield, WA 98642
Hunter Hotline: (360) 571-2015
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield

Columbia, Umatilla,
Toppenish, & Mcnary*
Mid-Columbia NWR
64 Maple Street
Burbank, WA 99323-8521
(509) 546-8300

Turnbull*
26010 South Smith
Cheney, WA 99004
(509) 235-4723
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/turnbull

Willapa*
3888 SR 101
Ilwaco, WA 98624
(360) 484-3482
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/willapa

Julia Butler Hansen
46 Steamboat Slough Rd.
Cathlamet, WA 98612
(360) 795-3915
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/julia-butler-hansen-columbian-white-tailed-deer

Nisqually
100 Brown Farm Rd. NE
Olympia, WA 98516
(360) 753-9467
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/billy-frank-jr-nisqually

* Please contact for specific youth hunt opportunities