Suggestions for birders, hunters, and other visitors to WDFW lands.
Hunting seasons for upland game birds begin in September. Waterfowl hunting seasons run from mid-October through January. Please see wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations.
Hunting is allowed on most state public lands (excluding State Parks and designated Game Reserves). Hunters are required to abide by county no-shooting ordinances as well as officially posted signage, including designated Safety Zones on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lands.
WDFW Wildlife Areas and Water Access Areas are state public lands and are open to the public during posted access hours. Visitors include hunters, anglers, birders, and other outdoor recreationists. Visitors must obey all posted rules.
Hunters, birders, and other outdoor recreationists are reminded to be respectful of each other, to safely and responsibly share public lands and waters, and to appreciate that each cares deeply about birds, wildlife, and their habitat.
Note that some WDFW Wildlife Areas, including pheasant release sites, have restricted access hours and/or hunter orange requirements for visitor’s safety.
Privately-owned lands within WDFW’s Private Lands Hunting Access program are managed and reserved for hunting access only. To manage orderly hunting access to established blinds, certain portions of specific WDFW Wildlife Area Units — including units of the Skagit Wildlife Area — are also managed through this program and include areas designated for waterfowl habitat and hunting. Due to safety concerns, WDFW recommends that non-hunters keep out of these specific hunt areas, which are posted with signs marking the boundaries.
Reminder to all that intentionally obstructing the lawful taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife — including waterfowl and upland game birds — is a crime in Washington as detailed in our state’s “hunter harassment” law RCW 77.15.210.
Respectful communication and dialogue go a long way towards creating positive connections between outdoors enthusiasts and avoiding potentially negative encounters on our public lands. Many visitors may be unaware of hunting seasons or regulations, and a polite conversation can often resolve issues before they become a dispute.
Anyone who experiences legitimate hunter harassment or intentional obstruction of lawful hunting, fishing or shellfish gathering should contact WDFW Police immediately: wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/report or call 360–902–2936 Option 1.
For more information on state public lands managed by WDFW, please visit our Places to Go webpage, or see our recent 10-year Recreation Strategy for WDFW-managed Lands.
A great blue heron photographed at WDFW’s Skagit Wildlife Area Headquarters Unit near Wiley Slough.
Original source can be found here.
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