To legally hunt waterfowl in Washington, you need to have a few different licenses and stamps. The main licenses required are a small game hunting license, a migratory bird stamp, a federal duck stamp, and a Washington waterfowl stamp. There are additional requirements around hunter education courses and HIP registration as well.
Small Game Hunting License
The first license you’ll need is a small game hunting license issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This allows you to hunt small game animals like rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Waterfowl like ducks and geese are considered small game.
There are a few options for small game licenses in Washington:
- A small game hunting license that covers the full season from April 1 – March 31 costs $40 for residents and $190 for nonresidents.
- A 3-day small game license can be purchased for $42 by residents and nonresidents.
- Youth under 16 can get a free youth small game license.
- Senior residents aged 65-69 can get a reduced rate small game license.
- Disabled residents can also get a reduced rate license.
As long as you have a valid small game hunting license, you can legally hunt for waterfowl in Washington during the regulated seasons. The license needs to be purchased annually.
Migratory Bird Stamp
Since ducks, geese, swans, and other waterfowl are migratory birds that cross state lines, you also need to have a migratory bird stamp or permit. This is required by federal law.
In Washington, migratory bird stamps cost $15 for residents and $55 for nonresidents. The stamps are issued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and are valid from April 1 – March 31 each year.
The migratory bird stamp must be signed and in your possession while hunting waterfowl. The revenue from stamp sales goes towards maintaining and enhancing wetlands and waterfowl habitats.
Federal Duck Stamp
In addition to the state migratory bird stamp, federal law also requires all waterfowl hunters 16 years or older to carry a federal duck stamp. This stamp costs $28 and can be purchased at your local post office or hunting license vendor.
The federal duck stamp is valid from July 1 – June 30 each year. The stamp must be signed and in your possession while hunting. The revenue from stamp sales goes towards protecting and acquiring wetland and waterfowl habitats across the country.
Washington State Waterfowl Stamp
The final stamp required specifically for waterfowl hunting is the Washington state waterfowl stamp. This costs $15 for residents and $55 for nonresidents and is valid during the same period as the migratory bird stamp (April 1 – March 31).
The waterfowl stamp revenue is used by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to fund projects that enhance waterfowl habitat and increase public hunting opportunity. Every waterfowl hunter over the age of 16 must carry this stamp.
Hunter Education Requirements
Before being allowed to purchase any hunting licenses in Washington, all hunters must complete a hunter education course if you were born after January 1, 1972. The basic hunting education certification course covers topics like firearms safety, ethics, laws and regulations, wildlife identification, and more.
The course can be taken online or in-person. Proof of certification must be carried while hunting. Waterfowl hunters should ensure their education course covered shotgun usage and identifying waterfowl.
HIP Registration
One final requirement for waterfowl hunters in Washington is to register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). This program tracks migratory bird harvests to help with conservation efforts.
You can register for HIP when purchasing your hunting license or migratory bird stamp. There is no additional cost. You will need to provide basic contact info and answer questions about your migratory bird hunting plans for the season.
Summary of Waterfowl Hunting License Requirements
Here is a quick summary of the licenses and other requirements to legally hunt waterfowl in Washington:
- Small game hunting license – $40 for residents, $190 for nonresidents
- Migratory bird stamp – $15 for residents, $55 for nonresidents
- Federal duck stamp – $28
- Washington waterfowl stamp – $15 for residents, $55 for nonresidents
- Hunter education certification
- HIP registration
All of these need to be purchased and in your possession before hunting waterfowl. Most can be purchased online through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website or at an authorized license dealer.
Be sure to consult the current regulations for season dates, bag limits, and rules for specific hunting zones or regions. Waterfowl seasons generally run from mid-September through January but have varied dates for different species and parts of the state.
Waterfowl Hunting License Fees
Here is a breakdown of the typical fees for waterfowl hunting licenses in Washington:
License | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
---|---|---|
Small game hunting | $40 | $190 |
Migratory bird stamp | $15 | $55 |
Federal duck stamp | $28 | $28 |
WA waterfowl stamp | $15 | $55 |
Total | $98 | $328 |
As you can see, costs for residents are around $100 per year while nonresidents pay over $300. The federal duck stamp and hunter education fees are the same for all hunters.
Where to Buy Waterfowl Licenses
There are a few options to purchase your Washington waterfowl hunting licenses:
- Online – All licenses can be purchased on the WDFW website or on approved online vendors.
- Physical WDFW offices – Licenses can be purchased in person at any WDFW regional office.
- Retail stores – Many sporting goods, outdoor, and hunting stores sell licenses as WDFW dealers.
- Phone – Licenses can be purchased over the phone from WDFW.
Online or in-person at a WDFW office are usually the fastest and most convenient options. Be sure to allow enough time before your hunt to obtain all the required stamps and certifications.
Nonresident Waterfowl Hunting
For hunters traveling to Washington from other states, there are a few extra steps needed to hunt waterfowl legally:
- You must purchase the nonresident versions of the small game license, migratory bird stamp, and waterfowl stamp.
- Nonresidents are required to use a licensed guide when hunting on public lands west of the Cascade Mountains.
- If you have a current hunting license from a state that has reciprocal agreements with Washington, you may qualify for reduced fees.
- Youth under 16 still need the applicable stamps but can use their resident hunting license from home state.
It’s important that nonresidents are familiar with the specific regulations in Washington as they can vary from other states. Hunter education courses from other states may qualify but it’s best to confirm with WDFW.
Waterfowl Hunting Regulations
In addition to having proper licenses, Washington waterfowl hunters need to follow all applicable regulations and limits. Key regulations include:
- Only hunting during established seasons for each region, species, and gender of waterfowl.
- Following the daily bag limits for ducks, geese, coots, etc.
- Obeying requirements around shotgun capacity, shot size, and use of decoys.
- Restrictions on hunting locations and distances from roads, homes, etc.
- Proper retrieval and preparation of harvested waterfowl.
- Restrictions on type of boats/blinds and hunting from boats.
Failure to follow waterfowl hunting regulations can result in fines, loss of hunting privileges, and even criminal charges. It’s the responsibility of every hunter to know and follow all rules and limits.
Waterfowl Hunting Zone Map
One of the key aspects of waterfowl hunting regulations in Washington is that rules, season dates, and limits can vary in different regions and hunting zones. The state is divided into a number of waterfowl zones outlined below:
Zone | Name | Description |
---|---|---|
1 | Canada/Cascades | North Cascades east of Puget Sound |
2A | Western Washington | Southwest Puget Sound and coast |
2B | Western Washington | Northwest Puget Sound |
3A | Southwest | Southwest coast |
3B | South Coast | Grays Harbor/Willapa Bay area |
4 | South Central | South central interior |
5 | South Central | Yakima and Tri-Cities area |
6 | Columbia Basin | North central region |
7 | Northeast | Okanogan, Ferry, and Stevens counties |
8 | Crab Creek | Crab Creek Basin |
9 | Spokane | Spokane region |
10 | Blue Creek | Dayton and Waitsburg areas |
It’s critical that waterfowl hunters consult the regulations for their specific zone for legal hunting dates, bag limits, and other rules. Regulations booklets are issued annually and available online.
Dates for Waterfowl Seasons
Waterfowl hunting season dates in Washington vary depending on the zone and species being hunted. Some examples of typical opening and closing day dates include:
- Duck season generally runs from mid-September to early January depending on zone.
- Goose season for most zones opens in early October and runs through January.
- Brant season opens mid-November and closes mid-December for coastal zones.
- Youth waterfowl hunting days occur one weekend in September.
- Certain goose species have longer seasons extending into March.
Again, hunters must consult the current regulations to determine precise opening and closing days for each zone. Trying to hunt waterfowl outside of the legal season dates can bring stiff penalties.
Daily Bag Limits
Along with following the exact season dates, waterfowl hunters in Washington must adhere to the daily bag limits for each species. These limits regulate how many birds you are legally allowed to harvest per day. Limits vary by zone and some examples for ducks are:
- 7 ducks per day in many western zones like Puget Sound and the coast.
- 5 ducks per day in eastern zones like the Columbia Basin.
- Only 1 pintail duck allowed in daily limit statewide.
- Only 2 canvasback ducks in most zones.
- 3 scaup (bluebills) per day in most zones.
Goose daily limits depend on the species but are often 3-5 per day. Again, check regulations as these can change annually.
Waterfowl Identification
To legally hunt waterfowl in Washington, proper identification of ducks, geese, and other species is critical. Some important identification points include:
- Diving vs dabbling ducks – Know the difference between puddle ducks that feed in shallow water vs diving ducks.
- Duck plumage – Be able to identify key traits like wing patches, head coloration, bill shape.
- Goose species – Distinguish between snow geese, Canada geese, white-fronted geese, etc.
- Legal vs prohibited – Certain duck species like harlequin are illegal to hunt.
- Male vs female – Some species have different regulations for males/females.
A good waterfowl identification guidebook or online resource can be hugely helpful for learning legal species. Misidentification can put your hunting privileges in jeopardy.
Decoys and Calling
When hunting waterfowl in Washington, the use of decoys and calling/electronic devices is common but regulated. Key regulations include:
- No more than 20 decoys may be used to hunt waterfowl statewide.
- Decocys must be removed after hunting hours each day.
- Only hand or breath operated calling devices are legal.
- Electronic/mechanical calls prohibited except for snow goose hunting.
- No herding or driving waterfowl to your hunting spot.
- Decoys and calls should match legal species in your zone.
Following best practices on decoy use and calling is important for success and maintaining waterfowl hunting privileges.
Shotguns, Ammo, and Hunters Safety
For the sake of their own safety as well as that of others, Washington waterfowl hunters must adhere to regulations on shotguns, ammunition, and general safety:
- Only shotguns capable of holding no more than 3 shells are allowed.
- Lead shot prohibited – only nontoxic approved shot can be used.
- No shot size larger than T shot for waterfowl.
- Hunters must wear 400 square inches of fluorescent orange above the waist.
- Proper shotgun handling, muzzle control, and line of fire rules must be followed.
- No shooting from boats or while under power in a boat.
- No shooting from or across public roads.
Violating any of these hunter safety regulations can bring fines, loss of license, or worse. Ethical, safe behavior is critical.
Blinds and Boats
The use of blinds and boats while waterfowl hunting in Washington is common but regulated. Key rules include:
- Permanent waterfowl hunting blinds in public waters require a permit from WDFW.
- Blinds must be removed within 10 days after the close of waterfowl season.
- Boats may be used to hunt waterfowl except in certain restricted areas.
- No hunting while under sail or motor power – shells must be removed from guns.
- Boats/blinds should be properly camouflaged to avoid flaring birds.
Following best practices on blind and boat use while hunting waterfowl ensures fair chase and allows others to enjoy the resource as well.
RETRIEVING DOWNED BIRDS
A key aspect of ethical, legal waterfowl hunting is making reasonable efforts to retrieve all downed birds. Washington regulations require hunters to:
- Make a reasonable attempt to retrieve downed waterfowl during legal hunting hours.
- Have permission before entering private property to retrieve waterfowl.
- Use a retriever dog if necessary to recover wounded birds.
- Report and surrender banded waterfowl if unable to retrieve.
No waterfowl should be intentionally wasted or left unrecovered if possible. Doing so can lead to warnings, fines, or revocation of hunting privileges.
Waterfowl Dressing and Preparation
Once harvested, Washington waterfowl must be properly dressed and prepared before transport:
- Waterfowl must remain fully feathered until reaching your home or temporary lodging.
- Head or one fully feathered wing must remain on birds during transport.
- Properly tag/mark birds with date and hunting zone after dressing.
- Edible meat should never be wasted – breast out ducks and geese promptly.
- Consider donating extra birds to charitable organizations.
Properly caring for and preparing harvested waterfowl shows respect for the birds and helps provide delicious, sustainable meals.
Reporting Waterfowl Bands
If you harvest a banded waterfowl in Washington, proper reporting is crucial:
- Carefully remove leg band and record the numbers and letters.
- Note the species, age, sex, harvest date, and location.
- Report online or by phone to USGS Bird Banding Lab.
- Consider donating recovered bands to conservation organizations.
Reporting banded bird data helps biologists track waterfowl populations and contributes to future management. Be sure to follow protocols if you recover a band.
Penalties for Waterfowl Violations
Those who violate Washington’s waterfowl hunting regulations may face the following penalties:
- Civil infractions – fines up to $1,000 depending on violation.
- Misdemeanor charges – fines up to $5,000 and/or jail time.
- Loss of hunting privileges – may lose licenses for period of years.
- Forfeiture of equipment – firearms, boats, decoys, etc may be seized.
- Felony charges – for certain egregious violations.
Penalties increase for repeat offenses. Know the regulations and hunt ethically to avoid any issues.
Conclusion
Waterfowl hunting in Washington is a popular fall tradition but requires obtaining proper licenses, adhering to regulations, and behaving ethically. Key requirements include acquiring a small game license, migratory bird stamp, federal duck stamp, and waterfowl stamp. Hunters must follow rules for their specific zone including season dates, bag limits, safety protocols, and equipment regulations. Penalties for violations can be severe. Responsible waterfowl hunters should consult regulations, identify birds properly, shoot ethically, and fully retrieve all downed birds. With preparation and care, waterfowling in Washington can provide hours of rewarding recreation.