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 TypeResidentNon-ResidentResident 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$20.06N/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).