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.
Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 30, 2026.
At a glance
Check a cartridge in Washington
Pick a state, species, and weapon — add a cartridge for a full check.
Sourced rules
Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.
All weapons
9 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | It is unlawful to hunt big game with infrared night-vision equipment or laser sights; rangefinders are excepted. | WAC 220-414-020 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | It is unlawful to hunt big game with infrared night-vision equipment or laser sights; rangefinders are excepted. | WAC 220-414-020 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | It is unlawful to hunt big game with infrared night-vision equipment or laser sights; rangefinders are excepted. | WAC 220-414-020 | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | It is unlawful to hunt big game with infrared night-vision equipment or laser sights; rangefinders are excepted. | WAC 220-414-020 | Aug 2026 |
| Mountain Lion | It is unlawful to hunt big game with infrared night-vision equipment or laser sights; rangefinders are excepted. | WAC 220-414-020 | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Fluorescent orange or pink is required when hunting big game with a modern firearm. | Chapter 220-414 WAC | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Fluorescent orange or pink is required when hunting big game with a modern firearm. | Chapter 220-414 WAC | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Fluorescent orange or pink is required when hunting big game with a modern firearm. | Chapter 220-414 WAC | Aug 2026 |
| All species | Suppressor ownership is legal in Washington, but hunting with one is restricted — verify the current WDFW rule. | WDFW rule (pending verification of current status) | Aug 2026 needs review |
Handgun
12 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | 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 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | 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 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | 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 | Aug 2026 |
| 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 | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Handgun barrels must be at least 4 inches for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Handgun barrels must be at least 4 inches for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Handgun barrels must be at least 4 inches for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Handgun barrels must be at least 4 inches for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
Muzzleloader
5 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | 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 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | 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 | Aug 2026 |
| 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 | Aug 2026 |
| All species | Muzzleloader sights must be open or peep — scopes are not legal. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
Rifle
8 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moose | No minimum caliber for modern big-game rifles — centerfire is required; WDFW emphasizes hunter responsibility in load selection. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | No minimum caliber for modern big-game rifles — centerfire is required; WDFW emphasizes hunter responsibility in load selection. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | No minimum caliber for modern big-game rifles — centerfire is required; WDFW emphasizes hunter responsibility in load selection. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | No minimum caliber for modern big-game rifles — centerfire is required; WDFW emphasizes hunter responsibility in load selection. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| White-tailed / Mule Deer | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Elk | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Moose | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
| Black Bear | Rimfire is prohibited for big game. | WAC 220-414-060 | Aug 2026 |
Shotgun
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species | Nontoxic shot is required in enumerated wildlife-area units and on all pheasant-release sites statewide. | WAC 220-414-040 | Aug 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
WAC 220-414-040 — Nontoxic shot requirements
Washington State Legislature · retrieved August 30, 2026
Sources & methodology
Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.
Legal disclaimer — please read
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.
- Confirm every rule in the current official Washington hunting regulations before your hunt.
- Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
- When in doubt, contact Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife directly.
The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.