Washington's 2010 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations

Military Installations
Hunting is allowed on some military lands, but these
areas usually require permission or a permit from
military authorities. Hunters should check with the
military installation before entering these lands.
State Lands
Most state lands are open to hunting unless they
are closed by state, local, or municipal laws. State
parks are closed to hunting and trapping.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Refuge Lands
Hunting is allowed on most National Wildlife
Refuges with specific restrictions applying to
species, bag limits, season dates, access permits,
and legal weapons. Hunters should contact the
refuge directly to obtain information before hunting
on National Wildlife Refuge lands. Information
about National Wildlife Refuges is available online
at www.fws.gov/refuges or www.fws.gov/refuges/
refugeLocatorMaps/Washington.html.
Private Lands
Hunting Access and Closures
It is unlawful to trespass. State hunting
regulations apply to hunting private land, but do not
guarantee access. Entry onto any lands which are
fenced, posted, cultivated, or used for commercial
agricultural crops or aquaculture without permission
is considered trespass. Some private landowners
(individuals or corporations) have chosen to deny
access to, or across, their property. Check with
landowners before entering their property. It is
always best to obtain landowner permission before
entering private property.
It is unlawful to:
Hunt in areas posted with Hunting Only by
Written Permission without a permission card
signed by the landowner on your person.
Hunt or shoot behind a Safety Zone sign.
Operate a motor vehicle (including ORVs)
behind a No Unauthorized Vehicles sign
unless specifically authorized by the
landowner under the Regulated Access
Cooperative Agreement with the WDFW.
Some private lands may be open weekends only.
For information about Weyerhaeuser St. Helens
Tree Farm Access call 1-866-636-6531.
Restricted and Prohibited
Hunting Areas
These areas are closed by Fish and Wildlife
Commission action. Other areas may be closed to
hunting by local, state, or federal regulations.
It is illegal to hunt, except where provided, in the
following areas:
Parker Lake (GMU 117) (Pend Oreille Co.):
All lands S. of Ruby Creek Rd. (USFS Rd. 2489),
N. of Tacoma Creek Rd. (USFS Rd. 2389) and W.
of Bonneville Power Administration powerlines are
designated as “CLOSED AREA” to the hunting of
wild animals and wild birds year around. The Parker
Lake closure was established to provide a protected
area for the Air Force Military Survival Training
Program.
Columbia River and all the islands in the
river, and the Benton County shoreline below
the high water mark, and any peninsula originating
on the Benton County shoreline, between Vernita
Bridge (Hwy. 24) downstream to the old Hanford
townsite powerline crossing (wooden towers)
in Sec. 24, T 13 N, R 27 E, is designated as a
“CLOSED AREA” to the hunting of wild animals and
wild birds.
Green River (GMU 485) (King Co.):
Except for GMU 485 permit hunters, who may
also take a black bear and/or cougar with the
appropriate license/tag options, all lands within
GMU 485 are designated as a CLOSED AREA to
the hunting of wildlife by WDFW regulated hunters.
The City of Tacoma enforces trespass within GMU
485 on lands owned or controlled by the City during
all times of the year.
McNeil Island (Pierce Co.):
McNeil Island (part of GMU 652) is closed to
hunting year around.
Loo-wit (GMU 522):
Closed to hunting and trapping within GMU 522
(Loo-wit), except for the hunting of elk by special
permit holders during established seasons and
designated areas.
Voice of America Dungeness Recreation Area
County Park in Clallam County
Closed to all hunting except Wednesdays,
weekends, and holidays, from the first weekend in
October to the end of January.
Big Game Closures
Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum
counties:
Closed to Columbian white-tailed deer hunting.
Cathlamet (within GMUs 506 & 530):
Beginning in the town of Skamokawa; E on SR 4
to Risk Rd; S and E on Risk Rd to Foster Rd; S
on Foster Rd to Elochoman River; upstream along
Elochoman River to Elochoman Valley Rd (old SR
407); W on Elochoman Valley Rd to SR 4; E on SR
4 to SR 409; S on SR 409 to Cathlamet Channel
of Columbia River; E along N shore of Cathlamet
Channel to Cape Horn; S in Columbia River to
the state line; W along the state line to a point
directly S of the mouth of Skamokawa Creek; N on
Skamokawa Creek to SR 4 and point of beginning.
This area is closed to deer and elk hunting to
protect the Columbian white-tailed deer except by
special permit.
Colville Indian Reservation:
The taking or hunting of big game or grouse within
the Colville Indian Reservation boundaries is
prohibited. The trapping of furbearers within the
Colville Indian Reservation boundaries is prohibited.
Cottonwood and Howard Islands in GMU 564:
Closed to all deer hunting.
Westport:
Closed to hunting of all big game animals on that
part of Westport Peninsula lying N of State Hwy
105 from the west end of the Elk River Bridge and
Schafer Island Road to the ocean beach.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge:
Except for Long Island, Willapa National Wildlife
Refuge is closed to all big game hunting.
Walla Walla Mill Creek Watershed (GMU 157):
All lands in the Mill Creek Watershed are
designated as a “CLOSED AREA” to the hunting
of all wild animals and wild birds except for holders
of special elk permits during the established open
season. This area is closed to motorized vehicles.
Entry shall be allowed only by Forest Service Permit
for the duration of the hunt. Any entry into the Mill
Creek Watershed at other times is prohibited.
74
Report your hunting activity for Big Game & Turkey by calling toll free 1-877-945-3492 or online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.