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Washington Hunting Laws

Washington sets no minimum caliber for modern big-game rifles, but bans night-vision, thermal, and laser equipment for big game, requires nontoxic shot on many wildlife-area units, and restricts suppressor use for hunting.

Rules checked against Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife regulations, August 30, 2026.

At a Glance

Wildlife Agency
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Regulations Year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified Rules on File
35
Rules Pending Review
0
Zones With Special Rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife →

Check a Cartridge in Washington

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Sourced Rules

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.

Rifle

1 rule
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Black Bear

No minimum caliber for modern big-game rifles — centerfire is required; WDFW emphasizes hunter responsibility in load selection.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

Rifle and Handgun

1 rule
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Black Bear

Rimfire is prohibited for big game.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

Shotgun

1 rule
All species

Nontoxic shot is required in enumerated wildlife-area units and on all pheasant-release sites statewide.

WAC 220-414-040 · verified Aug 2026

Handgun

2 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Black Bear

Big-game handguns must be at least .24 caliber centerfire (cougar: ≥.22 centerfire) with a barrel of at least 4 inches.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Black Bear

Handgun barrels must be at least 4 inches for big game.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

Muzzleloader

3 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer

Muzzleloaders for deer must be at least .40 caliber (or a smoothbore ≥.60 caliber with #1 or larger buckshot); other big game ≥.45 caliber.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

Elk Moose Black Bear

Muzzleloaders for big game other than deer must be at least .45 caliber; handguns ≥.45 cal with an 8-inch rifled barrel.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

All species

Muzzleloader sights must be open or peep — scopes are not legal.

WAC 220-414-060 · verified Aug 2026

All Weapons

3 rules
White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose Black Bear Mountain Lion

It is unlawful to hunt big game with infrared night-vision equipment or laser sights; rangefinders are excepted.

WAC 220-414-020 · verified Aug 2026

White-tailed / Mule Deer Elk Moose

Fluorescent orange or pink is required when hunting big game with a modern firearm.

Chapter 220-414 WAC · verified Aug 2026

All species

Washington's hunting rules do not restrict suppressors — there is no such rule in any of the Fish and Wildlife hunting chapters or in the 2026 big game or small game pamphlets. What governs instead is the general criminal statute: using a suppressor on any firearm is a gross misdemeanour unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law. That makes Washington one of the states where ATF's 2026 non-enforcement bites hardest, because the statute regulates use and asks for registration — file the free voluntary ATF registration before hunting with one.

Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices

"(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under c..."

RCW 9.41.250(1)(c); no mention of suppressors, silencers or mufflers in WAC 220-414-020 (unlawful firearm methods), WAC ch. 220-413/220-414, RCW ch. 77.15 or the 2026 big game pamphlet (read 2026-10-16) · verified Oct 2026

Federal Rules That Apply in Every State

These federal requirements apply in Washington on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

Chapter 220-414 WAC — Hunting equipment rules Washington State Legislature · retrieved August 30, 2026
RCW 9.41.250 — Dangerous weapons; penalty Washington State Legislature · retrieved October 16, 2026
WAC 220-414-040 — Nontoxic shot requirements Washington State Legislature · retrieved August 30, 2026

How to Use This Page

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife regulations are the final word.