Updated on 6/15/2026 - During the Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season, a muzzleloader is a firearm that is loaded from the muzzle and uses black powder or a black powder substitute as recommended by the manufacturer for use in all muzzleloading firearms. A muzzleloading firearm shall be considered loaded if a powder charge and a projectile, either shot or single projectile are in the barrel and the barrel or breech is capped or primed. It is unlawful to hunt wildlife using a muzzleloading firearm that does not meet the following specifications.
- A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle must have a single or double barrel, rifled or smooth-bored.
- A muzzleloading shotgun or rifle used for deer must be .40 caliber or larger. Buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger for deer.
- A muzzleloading shotgun, rifle, or handgun used for all other big game must be .45 caliber or larger.
- Persons lawfully hunting small game with a double barrel, muzzleloading shotgun may keep both barrels loaded.
- A muzzleloading handgun must have a single or double barrel of at least eight inches, must be rifled, and must be capable of being loaded with 45 grains or more of black powder or black powder substitute per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- A muzzleloading handgun used for big game must be .45 caliber or larger.
- A handgun designed to be used with black powder, including black powder percussion revolvers, can be used to hunt forest grouse, cottontail rabbits, and snowshoe hares.
In addition to the above requirements, it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a muzzleloading hunting season using a firearm that does not meet the following specifications for a muzzleloader. However, a modern handgun may be carried for personal protection. Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big game hunting season for muzzleloading firearms.
- Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion. Primers designed to be used in modern cartridges are legal.
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Sights must be open, peep, of other open sight design, or scopes not exceeding 1x magnification. Fiber optic sights are legal. Telescopic sights are prohibited.
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It is unlawful to have any electrical aiming device attached to a muzzleloading firearm while hunting except for red-dot or similar electronically powered scopes not exceeding 1x magnification.
- Those persons lawfully hunting big game with a double barrel muzzleloader may only keep one barrel loaded.
- Muzzleloading firearms used during a modern firearm season are not required to meet ignition, sight, or double barrel restrictions.
The following table is a brief summary of the majority of different licenses and permits that are available. Detailed information can be found by looking at the regulations for the specific species that you are interested in.
WASHINGTON MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASONS
Deer: Muzzleloader
High Buck Hunts
| Hunt Season | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs)** | Legal Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Buck Hunts (See page 105 for information on U.S. Forest Servive maps.) |
Sept. 15 - 25 | Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Mount Baker, Olympic Peninsula**, Henry Jackson Wilderness areas, and Lake Chelan Recreation Area | 3 pt. min. |
Early Muzzleloader General Deer Seasons
| Hunt Season | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs)** | Legal Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-tailed Deer |
Sept. 15-25 |
407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 501, 503, 504, 505, 506ad, 510, 513, 516, 520, 530ad, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 603, 607, 612, 615, 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 633 through 651, 660, 663, 672, 673 | Any buck |
| Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | 410, 411h , 412h , 413h , 414h , 415h , 416, 417, 419, 420h , 421, 422h , 423, 424, 454, 564a *, 627, 652, 655, 666, 684d , Deer Area 6020 | Any deer |
| Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | 578d | 3 Point Minimum |
| White-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | 101 through 124, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242 through 246, 247, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278d , 284 | Any buck |
| White-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149d , 175, 181, 186 | 3 Point Minimum |
| White-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | 373d, 379d | Any deer |
| White-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | 101 through 145, 149d , 175, 181, 186, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239, 242 through 246, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278d , 284, 328, 330 through 342, 352 through 368, 373d , 379d | 3 Point Minimum |
| White-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | Deer Areas 3334 and 3372 | 3 Point Minimum or antlerless |
Late Muzzleloader General Deer Seasons
| Hunt Season | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs)** | Legal Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | 407, 410, 411h , 412h , 413h , 414h , 415h , 416, 417, 419, 420h , 421, 422h , 423, 424, 454, 504, 564a *, 633, 654, 666, 667, and 684d | Any deer |
| Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | 448, 460, 501, 602, 621, 651, 658, 673 | Any buck |
| White-tailed Deer | Nov 26 - Dec 8 | 113 | Any buck |
| White-tailed Deer | Nov 25 - Dec 8 | 130, 133, 136, 139, 142 | 3 Point Minimum |
| White-tailed Deer | Nov 20 - Dec 8 | 172, 181 | 3 Point Minimum |
| White-tailed Deer | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 379d , 381 | Any deer |
| Mule Deer | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 379d , 381 | 3 Point Minimum |
| Mule Deer | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | 382* | 3 Point Minimum |
Elk: Muzzleloader
Early Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons
| Elk Tag Area | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs)** | Legal Elk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzleloader | Aug 1 - 31 | Master Hunters Only: 371. Must wear hunter orange and/or fuorescent hunter pink. | Antlerless Only |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 101 through 121, 117d , 204, 247 | Any Bull |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 124 through 142, 245, 250, 272, 278, 284, 290, 379d | Any Elk |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 172, 175, 178, 181, 249, 336 through 342, 352 through 368 | Spike Bull |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 251, 328, 329, 334, 335, Elk Area 2051 | True Spike Bull |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 454, 564*d , 666, 684d | Any Elk |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 407, 448, 460, 466, 506a , 510, 513, 516, 520, 524, (except Elk Area 5066), 530ad, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 578d , 602, 603, 607, 612, 615, 624 (except Elk Area 6071), 627, 633, 638 (except Elk Area 6064), 642, 648, 660, 672, 673, 681 | 3 Point Minimum |
| Muzzleloader | Oct. 3-9 | 501, 503, 504, 505, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), Elk Area 6014, 654, 663, 667, Elk Area 4601 | 3 Point Minimum or antlerless |
Late Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons
| Elk Tag Area | 2026 Dates | Game Management Units (GMUs)** | Legal Elk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzleloader |
Aug. 1, 2026-Jan. 20, 2027 |
Master Hunters Only: Elk Areas 3911 and 3912. Must wear hunter orange and/or fuorescent hunter pink. |
Antlerless Only |
| Muzzleloader |
Oct. 31-Nov. 15 |
203, 209 through 248, 250, 254 through 272, 278d , 284, 290, 373d , 379d , 381. Must wear hunter orange and/or fuorescent hunter pink. |
Any Elk |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 25 - Dec 8 | 130 - 142* | Any Elk |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 9 - 31 |
Master Hunters Only: 127, through 142. Must wear hunter orange and/or fuorescent hunter pink. |
Antlerless Only |
| Muzzleloader | Dec 16 - 31 | 407 | 3 Point Minimum |
| Muzzleloader |
Nov. 25-Dec. 8 |
Elk Area 4601*, 501, 503, 504, 505, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), 667 |
3 Point Minimum or Antlerless |
| Muzzleloader |
Nov. 25-Dec. 15 |
454, 564*d , 666, 684d , Elk Area 6014 |
Any Elk |
| Muzzleloader |
Nov. 25-30 |
568, 574, 578d |
3 Point Minimum |
| Muzzleloader |
Nov. 25-Dec. 15 |
448, 601, 618, 651, 658 |
3 Point Minimum |
WASHINGTON MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON REGULATIONS
- Muzzleloading firearms are loaded from the muzzle and use black powder or a black powder substitute. Muzzleloading firearms must be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion lock. A percussion lock firearm must use original-style percussion caps that fit on the nipple. Telescopic sights are not allowed.
- Muzzleloading firearms for deer hunting must be at least .40 caliber. However, buckshot, size #1 or larger, may be used in a smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger.
- Muzzleloading firearms used for all other big game hunting must be .45 or larger.
- Only one barrel of a double-barrel muzzleloading firearm may be loaded while hunting big game during any muzzleloading season.
- A muzzleloading handgun used for big game must be .45 or larger, with a barrel length of at least eight inches, and capable of being loaded with 45 grains or more of black powder or a black powder substitute.
This information is subject to change, for more information visit:Washington Hunting Regulations
HAVE WASHINGTON MUZZLELOADER HUNTING SEASON QUESTIONS?
Muzzleloader Hunting season is the best for low-pressure hunting and plentiful wildlife. If you are new to muzzleloaders or would like more information on your state's muzzleloader hunting regulations make sure to give us a call. Muzzle-Loaders.com is focused on promoting black powder hunting in all 50 states and can help you determine when your particular state's hunting season starts. If you have questions about Washington Muzzleloader Hunting Season, please call us at 1-855-236-5000 or email us at sales@muzzle-loaders.com.
