Small Game Seasons
Other Small Game Seasons |
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Small Game Species |
Bag Limit |
Season Dates |
Notes and Exceptions |
|
Bobcat |
None |
Statewide: |
Sealing of pelt required. Bobcat may not be hunted with dogs. Pelt Sealing Requirements: Successful hunters/trappers must contact a WDFW office for pelt sealing and submit the associated harvest report to the department by April 20, 2023. The bobcat hide must not be frozen so a seal may be attached. No one may possess an open WDFW bobcat seal unless it has been cut by a licensed taxidermist or fur dealer who has received and invoiced the pelt for processing. It is unlawful to hunt bobcat with dogs. Night hunting for bobcat is prohibited in GMUs that fall within the lynx management zones identified by the department (see information below). |
|
Fox |
None |
Statewide: |
CLOSED within the exterior boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. |
|
Raccoon |
None |
Statewide: |
Dogs may be used to hunt raccoon, EXCEPT it is unlawful to hunt with dogs during the months of October or November during the dates established for modern firearm deer and elk general seasons in eastern and western Washington. |
|
Coyote |
None |
Year round. |
Coyote may not be hunted with dogs. A small game or big game hunting license is required. |
|
Beaver, badger, weasels, marten, mink, muskrat, and river otter |
May only be taken by trapping with a trapping license during the trapping season (Nov. 1 - Mar. 31). Trappers must contact a WDFW office for pelt sealing of river otter and submit all harvest reports to the Department by April 20, 2023. See Trapping Regulations at wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/trapping |
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Species |
Area |
Season Dates |
Daily Bag Limit |
Possession Limit |
Cottontail & |
Statewide |
Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 |
5 mixed bag |
15 mixed bag |
Jackrabbit, Pygmy Rabbit, Lynx & Fisher |
Closed Statewide |
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Night Hunting,
Hound Hunting and Permits
Hunting at night:
- Night Hunting for Bobcat is prohibited in the following GMUs that fall within the Lynx management zones: 101, 105, 111, 113, 117, 203, 204, 215, 218, 224, 231, 233, 242 through 247, 250, 426 and 450 .
- 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.
- 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:
- The use of dogs to hunt black bear, bobcat, coyote, and cougar is prohibited year-round.
- 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.
Hunting Contest Permits:
- A hunting contest permit is required for all hunt contests. Please refer to the WDFW hunting contest permit website at wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/hunting/hunt-contest.
