What You Learned (cont.)

The Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet is an annual publication that gives a summary of the current Washington hunting rules and regulations. To hunt in Washington, you must:

• Have a valid hunting license. For certain species, special tags, permits, and/or stamps also are needed.
• Persons under 16 years of age do not need a state or federal migratory waterfowl stamp to hunt.
• No one under 18 years of age may possess a firearm unless he/she is hunting or trapping with a valid license.
• Other exceptions also apply.
• Complete the hunter education training program successfully if you were born after January 1, 1972. You must show your certificate to get a license.
• Notch your tag and attach it immediately after killing any big game animal or turkey.

When hunting, you must:

• Have a hunter education certificate if you were born after January 1, 1972.
• Have a hunting license and any necessary tags.
• Contact the landowner and get permission to hunt.
• Notch the tag and attach it to the animal as soon as it is dead. Then you field dress, making sure you keep the animal clean, cool, and dry.

Licenses and tags may be purchased at license dealerships across Washington. If you need help to locate a store selling licenses, contact your local Department of Fish and Wildlife office.

In Washington, many activities involving hunting and wildlife are illegal. Be sure you know which actions violate the law.

Here are some of the Washington laws and regulations that apply to anyone who hunts with a rifle.

• All rifles must have a minimum barrel length of 16 inches.
• You must be at least 18 years of age to buy a rifle from a licensed firearms dealer.
• Minors under 18 years of age may possess a firearm if they are attending a hunter safety course, are hunting or trapping with a valid license, or meet one of the other exceptions.
• Rifles used to hunt big game should be powerful enough for the game being hunted.
• Centerfire rifles used to hunt big game (except cougars) must be at least .24 caliber.
• Fully automatic firearms are illegal for hunting.

Washington has specific seasons for hunting deer, elk, goat, sheep, moose, and bear with rifles. Check the annual Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for open seasons, dates, units, and requirements for special applications.

Here are some of the Washington laws and regulations that apply to anyone who hunts with a shotgun.

• All shotguns must have a minimum barrel length of 18 inches.
• You must be at least 18 years of age to buy a shotgun from a licensed firearms dealer.
• Minors under 18 years of age may possess a firearm if they are attending a hunter safety course, are hunting or trapping with a valid license, or meet one of the other exceptions.
• Shotguns used to hunt upland birds and waterfowl must not hold more than three shotshells.
• Shotguns used to hunt bear must be 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 16 gauge, or 20 gauge and shoot slugs or #1 or larger buckshot.
• Shotguns used to hunt elk, goats, sheep, or moose may be 10 gauge or 12 gauge if they use slugs.
• Shotguns used to hunt waterfowl must use approved non-toxic shot ammunition.

Here are some of the Washington laws and regulations that apply to handguns.

• It is illegal for a licensed dealer to sell a handgun to anyone under 21 years of age.
• Centerfire handguns used to hunt big game must be at least .24 caliber and have a barrel that is at least four inches long.
• Here are some of the Washington laws and regulations for ammunition that apply to all hunters.
• Waterfowl hunters must use non-toxic ammunition.
• Shotguns used to hunt upland birds and waterfowl must not hold more than three shotshells.
• Shotguns used to hunt deer and bear must use slugs or #1 or larger buckshot. It is illegal to use 28-gauge or .410 shotguns to hunt deer or bear. You may hunt big game other than deer or bear with 10-gauge or 12-gauge shotguns using slugs.
• Unless you have the appropriate deer or elk tags with you during modern firearm deer or elk seasons, you may not hunt forest grouse with centerfire rifle or handgun ammunition that is .24 caliber or larger or with shotguns containing slugs or buckshot.

Here are some of the Washington laws and regulations that apply to all bowhunters.

• Bows used to hunt big game must have a draw weight of at least 40 pounds.
• Arrows used to hunt big game must weigh at least 6 grains per pound; the minimum arrow weight is 300 grains, including the broadhead. Broadheads must be sharp and be at least 7/8" wide. Barbed broadheads are illegal.
• Bowhunters may not shoot at wildlife from a vehicle or from across or along a public road.
• Bowhunters may not use any device attached to the bow that allows the bow to be held at full draw.
• Bowhunters may not have electrical devices attached to the bow or arrow.

Washington has specific archery seasons for hunting deer, elk, goat, sheep, moose, bear, and small game. Check the annual Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for open seasons, dates, units, and requirements for special applications.

Wearing hunter orange save lives. Washington requires modern firearm hunters who are hunting upland birds, deer, or elk to wear hunter orange clothing. Other hunters also must wear hunter orange when hunting deer or elk during modern firearm season.