Skip to main content
Washington

Game Bird Hunting

Game Bird Hunting

Youth, Veterans & Active Military Personnel Hunt Information

Youth Only Hunt Dates

Waterfowl*

Canada and White-fronted geese, ducks (including Scaup) and coots; See Migratory Game Bird Seasons for bag limit details. DOES NOT INCLUDE WHITE GEESE, BRANT OR SNIPE.

  • Western Washington: Sept. 21, 2024
  • Eastern Washington: Sept. 28, 2024

Upland *

See Resident Game Bird Seasons for details.

  • Pheasant (East & West): Sept. 14-15, 2024
  • California Quail, bobwhite, chukar, & gray partridge (Eastside): Sept. 14-15, 2024

Turkey*

See Wild Turkey Seasons for details.

  • Spring Youth hunt: April 1-7, 2025

WAC 220-220-040

Age of purchaser.

  1. The age at the time of purchase determines the license necessary for the recreational activity.
  2. Youth hunters who turn sixteen years of age during the license year may use a previously purchased youth hunting license during the remainder of the license year, but are required to have a state migratory bird permit on and after their sixteenth birthday, if they are hunting migratory birds.

Youth, Veterans & Active Military Hunt Dates

Waterfowl

Canada, White-fronted, and White geese, brant, ducks (including Scaup) and coots; See Migratory Game Bird Seasons for bag limit details.

  • Statewide: February 1, 2025*

* Authorization and Harvest Record Cards are required for certain species during this hunt. Veteran and Active Military 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 (WAC 220-416-060).

Youth Mentor Hunts

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is joining forces with Pheasants Forever, Washington Waterfowl Association, and other hunting organizations to offer Youth - Mentor Hunts. Often times it is difficult for kids to get into hunting because their parents or relatives don't hunt. This is an opportunity for any kids who are interested to have an adult take them out and teach them how it's done.

To participate, hunters must be under 16 years old. Interested young hunters or their parents should contact WDFW's Regional Offices. Whenever possible young hunters will be matched with available mentors depending on which area of the state they would like to hunt.

WDFW would like to thank the following organizations for helping with this event and providing mentors:

Inland Northwest Wildlife Council

509-487-8552

Pheasants Forever

Puget Sound Chapter

Columbia Basin Chapter

Yakima Valley Chapter

Vancouver Wildlife League

http://vancouverwildlife.org

First Hunt Foundation

https://firsthuntfoundation.org

National Wild Turkey Federation

www.NWTF.org

U.S. Army (Fort Lewis)

Adventure Center: 253-967-6263

Whidbey Island Naval Air Station

360-257-1009

Washington Waterfowl Association

Paul McGovern - President

www.wwa.shuttlepod.org

Ducks Unlimited Washington

360-652-4273

Other organizations interested in providing mentors would be appreciated.

Contact the Wildlife Program at (360) 902-2515 or via email: [email protected]