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Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season > Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season

Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season

Updated 1/5/2020 - During the Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season, a muzzleloader is a firearm that is loaded from the muzzle and uses black powder or a black powder substitute as recommended by the manufacturer for use in all muzzleloading firearms. A muzzleloading firearm shall be considered loaded if a powder charge and a projectile, either shot or single projectile are in the barrel and the barrel or breech is capped or primed. It is unlawful to hunt wildlife using a muzzleloading firearm that does not meet the following specifications.

A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle must have a single or double barrel, rifled or smooth-bored A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle used for deer must be 40 caliber or larger Buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a smoothbore of 60 caliber or larger for deer. A muzzleloading shotgun, rifle, or handgun used for all other big game must be 45 caliber or larger. Persons lawfully hunting small game with a double barrel, muzzleloading shotgun may keep both barrels loaded. A muzzleloading handgun must have a single or double barrel of at least eight inches, must be rifled, and must be capable of being loaded with forty-five grains or more of black powder or black powder substitute per the manufacturer's recommendations.

A muzzleloading handgun used for big game must be 45 caliber or larger. A handgun designed to be used with black powder; including black powder percussion revolvers, can be used to hunt forest grouse, cottontail rabbits, and snowshoe hares. In addition to the above requirements, it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a muzzleloading-hunting season using a firearm that does not meet the following specifications for a muzzleloader. As in the past sabots are allowed Any type of projectile is allowed. A modern handgun may be carried for personal protection Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big game hunting season for muzzleloading firearms a Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion using primers designed to be used in modern cartridges are legal.

Sights must be open, peep, or of other open sight design Fiber optic sights are legal Telescopic sights or sights containing glass are prohibited It is unlawful to have any electrical device or equipment attached to a muzzleloading firearm while hunting. Those persons lawfully hunting Big-game with a double-barrel muzzleloader may only keep one barrel loaded. Hunters with disabilities who meet the definition of being visually impaired in WAC 232-12-828 may receive a special use permit that would allow the use of scopes or other visual aids. A disabled hunter permit holder in possession of a special use permit that allows the use of a scope or visual aid may hunt game birds or game animals during muzzleloader seasons. Muzzleloading firearms used during a modern firearm season are not required to meet ignition, sight, or double barrel restrictions.

The following table is a brief summary of the majority of different licenses and permits that are available. Detailed information can be found by looking at the regulations for the specific species that you are interested in.

WASHINGTON MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASONS

 

Deer: Muzzleloader

High Buck Hunts

 
Hunt Season 2019 Dates Game Management Units (GMUs)** Legal Deer
High Buck Hunts
(See page 105 for information on U.S. Forest Servive maps.)
Sept. 15 - 25 Alpine Lakes, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, All Wilderness Areas on the Olympic Peninsula, Henry Jackson Wilderness Areas, and Lake Chelan Recreation Area 3 pt. min.

Early Muzzleloader General Deer Seasons

 
Hunt Season 2019 Dates Game Management Units (GMUs)** Legal Deer
Black-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 501, 503, 504, 505, 506a, 510, 513, 516, 520, 530ad, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 603, 607, 612, 615, 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 631-651, 660, 663, 672, 673 Any buck
Black-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 410-417, 419-422, 454, 564a*, 627, 652, 655, 666, 684d, and Deer Area 6020 Any deer
Black-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 578d 3 pt. min.
White-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242-246, 248, 250, 251, 260, 272, 278d, 284 Any buck
White-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 101-121 Any buck
White-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 124 Any deer
White-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 127, 142, 145, 149d 3 pt. min. or antlerless
White-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 130, 133, 136, 139, 175, 181, 186 3 pt. min.
White-tailed Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 373d, 379d Any deer
Mule Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 101-145, 149d, 175, 181, 186, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242-246, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278d, 284, 328, 330-342, 352-368, 373d, 379d 3 pt. min.
Mule Deer Sept. 28 - Oct. 6 Deer Areas 3334 and 3372 3 pt. min. or antlerless

Late Muzzleloader General Deer Seasons

 
Hunt Season 2019 Dates Game Management Units (GMUs)** Legal Deer
Black-tailed Deer Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 407, 410-417, 419-422, 454, 504, 564a*, 633, 666, 667, 684d Any deer
Black-tailed Deer Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 448, 460, 501, 602, 621, 651, 654, 658, 673 Any buck
White-tailed Deer Nov. 27 - Dec. 8 113 Any buck
White-tailed Deer Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 130, 133, 136, 139, 142 3 pt. min. or antlerless
White-tailed Deer Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 172 (except Deer Area 1040), 181 3 pt. min. or antlerless
White-tailed Deer Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 379d, 381 Any deer
Mule Deer Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 130 Antlerless
Mule Deer Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 379d, 381 3 pt. min.
Mule Deer Nov. 20-30 382* (except Deer Area 5382) 3 pt. min.

 

Elk: Muzzleloader

Early Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons

 
Elk Tag Area 2019 Dates Game Management Units (GMUs)** Legal Elk
Eastern Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 101-121, 117d, 204, 247 Any bull
Eastern Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 124-142, 245, 250 Any elk
Eastern Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 172 (except Elk Area 1040), 175, 178, 181, 336-342, 352-368 Spike bull
Eastern Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 328, 329, 334, 335, Elk Area 2051 True spike bull
Western Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 407, 448, 454, 564a, 666, 684d Any elk
Western Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 460, 466, 506a, 510, 513, 516, 520, 524 (except for Elk Area 5066), 530ad, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 578d, 602, 603, 607, 612, 615, 624 (except for Elk Area 6071), 627, 633, 638 (except for Elk Area 6064), 642, 648, 660, 672, 673, 681 3 pt. min.
Western Muzzleloader Oct. 5 - 11 501, 503, 504, 505, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), Elk Area 6014, 654, 663, 667, Elk Area 4601 3 pt. min. or antlerless

Late Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons

 
Elk Tag Area 2019 Dates Game Management Units (GMUs)** Legal Elk
Eastern Muzzleloader Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2020 Master Hunters Only: 371, Elk Areas 3911 and 3912. Must wear hunter orange. Antlerless only
Eastern Muzzleloader Oct. 26 - Nov. 15 203, 209-248, 250, 254-272, 278d, 284, 290, 373d, 379d, 381. Must wear hunter orange. Any elk
Eastern Muzzleloader Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 130-142*** Any elk
Eastern Muzzleloader Dec. 9 - 31 Master Hunters Only: 127, 130 Antlerless only
Western Muzzleloader Nov. 27 - 30 568, 574 3 pt. min.
Western Muzzleloader Nov. 27 - Dec. 8 501, 503, 504, 505, 578, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), 667 3 pt. min. or antlerless
Western Muzzleloader Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 448, 454, 564a, 666, 684d Any elk
Western Muzzleloader Nov. 27 - Dec. 15 601, 618, 651, 658 3 pt. min
Western Muzzleloader Nov. 27 - Jan. 20, 2020 407 any elk

 

WASHINGTON MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON REGULATIONS 

  • Muzzleloading firearms are loaded from the muzzle and use black powder or a black powder substitute. Muzzleloading firearms must be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion lock. A percussion lock firearm must use original-style percussion caps that fit on the nipple. Telescopic sights are not allowed.
  • Muzzleloading firearms for deer hunting must be at least .40 caliber. However, buckshot, size #1 or larger, may be used in a smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger.
  • Muzzleloading firearms used for all other big game hunting must be .45 or larger.
  • Only one barrel of a double-barrel muzzleloading firearm may be loaded while hunting big game during any muzzleloading season.
  • A muzzleloading handgun used for big game must be .45 or larger, with a barrel length of at least eight inches, and capable of being loaded with 45 grains or more of black powder or a black powder substitute.

 

This information is subject to change, for more information visit:Washington Hunting Regulations

 

HAVE WASHINGTON MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON QUESTIONS?

Muzzleloader Hunting season is the best for low-pressure hunting and plentiful wildlife. If you are new to muzzleloaders or would like more information on your state's muzzleloader hunting regulations make sure to give us a call. Muzzle-Loaders.com is focused on promoting black powder hunting in all 50 states and can help you determine when your particular state's hunting season starts. If you have questions about Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season, please call us at 1-855-236-5000 or email us at sales@muzzle-loaders.com.

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