Washington Bird Hunting
Season Spans September 15 – January 15, 2026
State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.
Required Licenses and Costs
A Small Game License is required for all upland bird hunting. An additional Western Washington Pheasant License is needed for pheasant hunting in Western Washington (or a 3-day option for short trips). Costs reflect a fee increase effective July 1, 2025. Licenses can be purchased online, by phone, or at vendors; a 2.9% processing fee applies to credit card transactions starting January 2025.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident | Resident Senior (70+) | Youth (Under 16) | Resident Reduced Fee (Disabled) | Non-Resident Disabled Veteran |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Game License | $55.13 | $252.47 | $20.06 | $24.77 | $24.77 | $55.13 |
| Western WA Pheasant License | $115.85 | $229.70 | $20.06 | $55.13 | $55.13 | $115.85 |
| Western WA Pheasant License (3-Day) | $55.13 | $108.26 | $20.06 | N/A | $55.13 | $55.13 |
Season Dates
Seasons vary by region and hunter category. Eastern Washington generally has longer seasons and cock-only rules for pheasant. Bag and possession limits are daily and overall, respectively.
Pheasant
- Western Washington (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during seasons; either sex):
- Youth Only: Sept. 13-14, 2025; Daily Bag: 2; Possession: 4.
- Seniors/Disabled: Sept. 15-19, 2025; Daily Bag: 2; Possession: 10.
- Regular: Sept. 20 – Nov. 30, 2025; Daily Bag: 2; Possession: 15.
- Extended (specific release sites only, no releases): Dec. 1-15, 2025; Daily Bag: 2; Possession: 15.
- Eastern Washington (cocks only):
- Youth Only: Sept. 13-14, 2025; Daily Bag: 3; Possession: 6.
- Seniors/Disabled: Sept. 15-19, 2025; Daily Bag: 3; Possession: 15.
- Regular: Oct. 18, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026; Daily Bag: 3; Possession: 15.
Quail (California/Valley and Northern Bobwhite; mixed bag)
- Western Washington (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Sept. 20 – Nov. 30, 2025; Daily Bag: 10; Possession: 30.
- Eastern Washington:
- Youth Only: Sept. 13-14, 2025; Daily Bag: 10; Possession: 30.
- Regular: Oct. 4, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026; Daily Bag: 10; Possession: 30.
- Mountain Quail:
- Western Washington (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Sept. 20 – Nov. 30, 2025; Daily Bag: 2; Possession: 4.
- Eastern Washington: Closed.
Chukar (Eastern Washington only; either sex)
- Youth Only: Sept. 13-14, 2025; Daily Bag: 6; Possession: 12.
- Regular: Oct. 4, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026; Daily Bag: 6; Possession: 18.
Gray (Hungarian) Partridge (Eastern Washington only; either sex)
- Youth Only: Sept. 13-14, 2025; Daily Bag: 6; Possession: 12.
- Regular: Oct. 4, 2025 – Jan. 19, 2026; Daily Bag: 6; Possession: 18.
Forest Grouse (Ruffed, Spruce, Dusky/Blue, Sooty; aggregate limits, statewide)
- Regular: Sept. 15, 2025 – Jan. 15, 2026; Daily Bag: 4 (no more than 3 of any one species); Possession: 12 (no more than 9 of any one species).
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Katadyn Hiker Pro
Water. It’s proven to be one of the biggest challenges of our Way Upland trips. I’ve tested multiple solutions, but I’ve been most impressed by the performance of the Katadyn HIker Pro in our latest season. I’ve used Katadyn water filters in the past and they have always been solid gear. The biggest difference with…
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Undaunted Courage
It’s hard to say exactly how many times I crossed the Lewis and Clark trail this season. Everytime I see the roadside signs it takes me back to Stephen Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage. It’s almost impossible to comprehend what Captains Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their men endured on the maiden exploration of this country. Though…
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Way Upland Season II Episode 5
After adjusting caches and modifying the plan, the support team is headed for home ( Alex from APT Outdoors) leaving us alone on the trail to cover as much ground as we can. North from Medora, North Dakota – the old stomping grounds of Theodore Roosevelt – we ride across the badlands chasing birds. There’s not…
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Treed Grouse Dilemma
There are times, especially early in a season, when forest grouse – Dusky, Spruce, Ruffed – have yet to recognize that almost everything loves the taste of grouse. Nearly 70% of these birds will not see a second year. The short hop to the nearest tree seems the earliest learned evasion tactic which can be…
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Why We Hunt With Dogs
This morning I took my lab Wyatt out for a weekend stomp on public ground. Yesterday while in the field at first light I saw several other trucks with hunters trying to hunt the same field which we beat them to that day. Needless to say, the public options close to population centers here in…
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Quest for the Sage Grouse
Three Llewellin setters hunting together for the first time are on point. It’s taken 9.5 miles of walking across rolling Montana sage to get this dog circus to this grand finale. Yet somehow my new hunting buddy Jory and I walk past without even noticing. I suspect his male setter Ridge has lead the discovery…
