Washington Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in Washington?

Unimproved, apparently unused land that is not fenced is open to entry unless the owner tells you to stay out in person or the land is posted in a conspicuous manner. Fenced land, and farmland with a visible crop, is off-limits without permission whether or not it is posted. The law sets no sign size, wording or spacing.

Hunting anywhere without the owner's permission is still trespass once the land is posted, fenced, or cultivated.

Source: RCW 9A.52.010(2) · official source

Does Washington have a purple paint law?

Washington has no purple-paint statute. Posting only has to be done in a conspicuous manner.

No paint-mark provision appears in the criminal trespass chapter (RCW 9A.52).

Source: RCW 9A.52.010 · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in Washington?

No. Washington law does not require written permission. You need the owner's consent (a license or privilege) to be on posted, fenced or cultivated land, but it can be verbal.

Source: RCW 9A.52.010, 9A.52.080 · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in Washington?

Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on someone else's land is criminal trespass in the second degree, a misdemeanor. A conviction for trespass while hunting also costs a master hunter permit for life.

Criminal trespass in the first degree (buildings) is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 9A.52.070).

Source: RCW 9A.52.080; RCW 77.15.760 · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in Washington?

It is a misdemeanor to negligently fire a gun from, across or along the maintained portion of a public highway, or to shoot from a moving vehicle. You may shoot from a stopped vehicle only with the engine off and not parked on or beside the maintained road; crossbows may not be fired from a vehicle or along a public highway.

Carrying a loaded (round chambered) rifle or shotgun in a vehicle is also a misdemeanor.

Source: RCW 77.15.460; WAC 220-414-100 · official source

What are legal shooting hours in Washington?

Game animals may be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset during established seasons. Turkey hunting ends at sunset.

WDFW publishes hunting-hour tables by zone.

Source: WAC 220-413-010; WDFW hunting hours · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in Washington?

Deer and elk hunters using modern firearms must wear at least 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange and/or hunter pink above the waist, visible from all sides. The same applies to anyone hunting anything except migratory birds where and when a modern-firearm deer or elk general season is open, and to upland bird and rabbit hunters using a firearm (other than a muzzleloader).

Violation is an infraction. Pink was added as an alternative to orange.

Source: WAC 220-414-080 · official source

Is night hunting legal in Washington?

Hunting big game with a spotlight, other artificial light or night-vision equipment while holding a weapon is spotlighting, a gross misdemeanor with a two-year hunting suspension (first degree is a felony with a 10-year suspension). Hunting any wildlife from a vehicle with a spotlight, thermal or night-vision device while holding a weapon is also unlawful.

Source: RCW 77.15.450; WAC 220-413-070 · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in Washington?

No exemption found. Washington law requires a recreational license to hunt "except as otherwise provided" in the licensing chapter or department rule, and the licensing chapter (RCW 77.32) contains no exception for landowners hunting their own land, so plan on buying a license and tags.

Checked the full text of RCW chapter 77.32. Landowner hunting permits (WAC 220-412-100) are a separate access-permit program, not a license exemption.

Source: RCW 77.32.010; RCW ch. 77.32 · official source

Who needs hunter education in Washington?

Anyone under 18 buying a hunting license, and anyone born after January 1, 1972 buying their first hunting license, must show a hunter education certificate. A once-in-a-lifetime, one-license-year deferral is available if you hunt with a non-deferred Washington-licensed hunter at least 18 years old.

Military and peace officers are exempt from the firearms-skills portion of the online course.

Source: RCW 77.32.155; WAC 220-412-010 · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in Washington?

Yes. Washington law does not restrict hunting on Sundays.

Source: RCW Title 77; WAC Title 220 (no Sunday restriction) · official source

Is it legal to bait deer in Washington?

No. It is unlawful to hunt deer, elk or moose over bait, or to carry or place scents made from cervid urine or glands while hunting. Hunting black bear with bait is also illegal.

Not bait: normal farming and ranching practices (including salt/mineral and feeding), standing crops, orchards and food plots, naturally occurring minerals. Spills or dumped feed do not count as exceptions.

Source: WAC 220-414-030; RCW 77.15.245 · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in Washington?

No for general archery seasons: it is unlawful to hunt wildlife with a crossbow during an archery season, and crossbows may be used for big game only in modern firearm or muzzleloader seasons. Big-game crossbows need at least a 125-pound draw and 350-grain bolts with broadheads at least 7/8 inch.

Hunters with a WDFW disability designation should check WAC 220-413-140 for permitted accommodations.

Source: WAC 220-414-100 · official source

Can you use a drone to scout or recover game in Washington?

It is unlawful to use any aircraft, including drones, to hunt, spot or locate wildlife for hunting. You may not hunt game animals, game birds or migratory birds on any day you have operated a drone, or hunt big game on a day you were airborne (other than a commercial airline flight).

Source: WAC 220-413-070 · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in Washington?

Landowners who let the public hunt, fish or recreate on their land without charging any fee are not liable for unintentional injuries to those users. They remain liable for injuries from a known dangerous artificial latent condition that is not marked with conspicuous warning signs.

Source: RCW 4.24.210 · official source