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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Orvis Barbour Wax Jacket
One of the biggest challenges I face hunting the open plains of North Dakota is the wind. During the winter months the freezing temperature combined with high wind can be brutal. I love waxed canvas because it not only keeps you dry during snowfall, but it is excellent for blocking out the wind. The Barbour…
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5.11 Stryke PDU Rapid Long- Sleeve Shirt
I spent a lot of time on the skeet range this year, hoping to improve my dogs’ perception of me as a less-than- worthy hunting partner. Sending hundreds of rounds down range in the heat of summer had me shopping for some new shooting gear. A friend mentioned a shirt he had picked up from…
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Picking Up Right Where We Fell Apart
Bird seasons come and go. Most of the time I try to not think about the start and end dates because there’s always a half-year where we won’t be chasing birds. To focus on the beginning and end always seems like so much longing, instead of just embracing the moments afield that we actually get….
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GSI Outdoors – Microlite 1000 Twist
Better than any water bottle on the market, the GSI Microlite weighs the same as the cheap plastic bottles holding 33 ounces of liquid, nearly indestructible and can keep ice for what seems forever. On multiple occasions this season I errantly left a cold drink in my bird vest overnight, only to find it still…
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SportDOG FieldTrainer 425
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with training collars that seem to be adding more and more features. But sometimes the classics are just hard to beat. The SportDOG FieldTrainer® 425 was the first collar I ever purchased for training my very first dog. It still works flawlessly. And though I’ve added new collars with added…
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Sitka Gear Vapor SD Jacket
Heading into the backcountry, weight and packability are always top concerns for gear. Sitka’s Vapor SD Jacket compresses small and weighs so little it’s easy to forget tucked in the corner of the bird vest. But weather in the mountains can be unpredictable and unforgiving and when the skies open up and the sleet starts…
