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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The Rising Costs of Conservation
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What do goats think about hills?
I don’t know much about Mountain Goats. I’m sure there is plenty of published information that could get me past the learning curve. But, I think I prefer the mystery. I’ve shared mountains with goats on lots of occasions. When you decide to chase birds in high places, summits with goats happen. Once in Nevada…
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ThermaCELL
There is a lot of down time during the season. Early on when the weather is still hot, that down time brings a whole host of annoying biting bugs to camp which make getting rest a challenge. We have to admit that we had our doubts with the plastic appearance of the ThermaCELL ($26.99). At our wit’s…
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BigBlue 63W Portable Solar Charger
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Firecracker Pheasant Fritters
We’re always looking for new ways to revive birds from the back corners of the freezer, especially ones that have been a bit roughed-up getting there. Fritters sounded like a great remedy for the nasty weather swirling outside. When I was growing up my mom made my sisters and I each prepare one dinner a…
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The Lab Knows
Wyatt knows he’s black. He also knows this is the color of night. He’s been able to surmise that humans have terrible night vision. During daylight hours when we take breaks from hunting, he plots. He knows most mischief will not fly in the light of day. Raiding other camps, gnawing a nearby rotting deer…
