Washington hunting
Public hunting land in Washington
Caliber maps 234 public hunting areas in Washington, with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Washington · 234 areas
Wenatchee National Forest
National forest · 1,802,959 acres
Okanogan National Forest
National forest · 1,502,143 acres
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
National forest · 1,312,189 acres
Mt. Baker National Forest
National forest · 1,293,575 acres
Snoqualmie National Forest
National forest · 1,275,813 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 234 by distance from you.
- 194
- State wildlife areas
- 15
- National forests
- 3
- BLM land
- 22
- National wildlife refuges
Washington hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Phone
- 360-902-2200
- Resident license
- $55.13 — Resident Small Game license (annual, as listed; big game packages separate)
- Nonresident license
- $252.47 — Nonresident Small Game license (annual, as listed); big game licenses extra
- Hunter education
- Hunters born after Jan 1, 1972 must show proof of hunter education before buying their first WA license; one-time deferral available.
- Good to know
- A Discover Pass or Vehicle Access Pass is required at all WDFW recreation lands.
Fees and rules as published by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Washington
The 12 biggest of 234 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee National Forest | National forest | 1,802,959 | Open |
| Okanogan National Forest | National forest | 1,502,143 | Open |
| Gifford Pinchot National Forest | National forest | 1,312,189 | Open |
| Mt. Baker National Forest | National forest | 1,293,575 | Open |
| Snoqualmie National Forest | National forest | 1,275,813 | Open |
| Colville National Forest | National forest | 957,248 | Open |
| Olympic National Forest | National forest | 631,798 | Open |
| Umatilla National Forest | National forest | 311,022 | Open |
| Kaniksu National Forest | National forest | 268,427 | Open |
| Spokane Wenatchee Field Office | BLM land | 254,416 | Open |
| Spokane Border Field Office | BLM land | 168,544 | Open |
| Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife Trust Land | State wildlife area | 91,115 | Open |
State wildlife areas · 194
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 15
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
BLM land · 3
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. BLM land is often scattered between private parcels, so legal access can be the hard part.
National wildlife refuges · 22
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Washington hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Washington?
Caliber lists 234 public hunting areas in Washington: 194 state wildlife areas, 15 national forests, 3 blm land, 22 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Washington?
As published by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $55.13 — Resident Small Game license (annual, as listed; big game packages separate); nonresident, $252.47 — Nonresident Small Game license (annual, as listed); big game licenses extra. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Washington?
Hunters born after Jan 1, 1972 must show proof of hunter education before buying their first WA license; one-time deferral available. Check Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Washington?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Washington hunting land near you
All 234 Washington areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the managing agency before you hunt.
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