Hunting in Washington: 7 Animals to Hunt in the Winter

Washington offers hunting enthusiasts an abundance of opportunities to take game during the winter months. Whether it is big game or small game, there are a number of animals that are considered in-season during the winter.

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, these are seven animals that can be legally hunted during Washington winter.

1. Bobcats
Bobcats may not be hunted with dogs and the pelt must be presented to a WDFW office within 20 days of taking for proper sealing. The pelt must not be frozen prior to it being tagged. They may be hunted from early September to mid-March each year without a bag limit.

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2. Foxes
There is no bag limit on the number of fox a hunter may take but hunting is closed in certain areas of the state, including within the exterior boundaries or the Gifford Pinchot, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, and Wenatchee national forests. Foxes may be hunted statewide from early September to mid-March as well.

3. Raccoons
Raccoons may be hunted from early September to mid-March without a bag limit. Hunters cannot bag raccoons in the Long Island area within the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.

4. Rabbits
Cottontail and snowshoe hare rabbit may be hunted from early September to mid-March with a bag limit of five per day. A possession limit of 15/straight or mixed bag also applies.

5. Coyotes
Coyotes are hunted year-round in Washington. Hunters must be in possession of a small game or big game license to take the coyotes legally. Additionally, hunters cannot use dogs to pursue coyote, either.

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6. Deer
Washington has varying types (white-tail, black tail, and mule) of deer as well as varied seasons. Typical deer season takes place in October, but late firearm deer seasons also take place during November for one week. Seasons vary in game management units, as do restrictions on points/sizes. Archery season for deer is longer in length, taking place during the months of November and December.

7. Elk
Modern firearm elk season takes place in selected game management units (GMUs), primarily the western part of the state, for one week during the middle of November. As with deer season, elk season has a longer archery than firearm season.

These opportunities vary throughout the state, but typically seasons run from late November to early January, based upon wit GMU the hunter is located in.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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