Washington has all three of the West’s deer. Black-tailed deer live west of the Cascades, mule deer range across the eastern mountains and shrub-steppe, and white-tailed deer fill the farm country and timber of northeast Washington. Every hunter, resident or nonresident, can buy a general season deer tag over the counter. No draw needed.
What you can shoot, and when, depends on your weapon, the species, and the game management unit (GMU). This guide sorts it out.
Ready to book?
Browse Washington deer outfitters on Horn & Fin
Compare Washington blacktail, mule deer and whitetail guides, read reviews, and contact them directly.
Washington deer hunting at a glance
| Where to buy | WDFW’s online licensing system (WILD), license dealers, or by phone |
| License year | April 1 – March 31 |
| General season tags | Over the counter. Choose archery, muzzleloader or modern firearm |
| Special permit applications | Spring. In 2026, April 20 – May 27 (extended from May 20) |
| Nonresident deer license | $599.07 (2026) |
| Resident deer license | $61.70 (2026) |
| Modern firearm general season | October 17 – November 1 for blacktail; October 17–27 for most mule deer and whitetail (2026) |
Fees and dates are from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet.
Washington’s three deer
| Black-tailed deer | Mule deer | White-tailed deer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Western Washington, GMUs in the 400–600 series | Eastern Washington, from the Cascades east | Mostly northeast Washington (GMUs 101–124) |
| Country | Dense, wet forest and clearcuts | Open ridges, shrub-steppe, wheat country, high Cascades | Farm edges, river bottoms and timber |
| Typical general rifle rule | Any buck | 3 point minimum | Any buck in the northeast |
| Rifle season (2026) | October 17 – November 1, plus November 19–22 | October 17–27 | October 17–30 in GMUs 101–124, plus a November 7–19 late hunt |
Columbian white-tailed deer, a separate subspecies, are protected in GMU 564 and can’t be hunted there.
Step 1: Choose your tag
Your deer license comes with a general season tag tied to one weapon: archery, muzzleloader or modern firearm. When you buy it, you select the hunt method and any area WDFW asks for. That tag is good in the general seasons for your weapon. You can exchange it before a set deadline each year.
See how general season deer tags work
Step 2: Consider special permits
Special permits give you extra hunts with fewer hunters: quality buck hunts, antlerless hunts, second deer tags and hunts for youth, seniors and hunters with disabilities.
Read our deer special permit guide
Step 3: Pick your season
Archery opens September 1. The high Cascades “High Buck” hunt runs September 15–25 in wilderness areas. Muzzleloader opens September 26, and modern firearm opens October 17. Late seasons for the whitetail and blacktail ruts run in November and December.
See all 2026 Washington deer season dates
Step 4: Budget
A nonresident deer license is $599.07, and that’s all you need to hunt a general season. Guided Washington deer hunts commonly run about $3,400 to $4,000.
Break down the cost of a Washington deer hunt
Step 5: Guided or DIY
Compare guided and DIY deer hunts
Before you go
- Hunter education. Required if you were born after January 1, 1972. A one-time deferral is available.
- Hunter orange or fluorescent pink. Required in areas open to modern firearm general deer or elk seasons.
- One deer per year. The general bag limit is one deer per license year, unless you hold a second deer tag or permit.
- Closed and permit-only units. GMUs 157, 490 and 522 are closed to deer hunting, and GMUs 290, 329, 371 and 485 are permit only.
Compare Washington deer hunts
See Washington deer outfitters
Looking for a deal? Check our discount guided hunts and self-guided and DIY hunts.
Hunting elk too? See our Washington elk hunting guide.