PDFWAC 220-415-100

2018-2019 and 2019-2020 Cougar hunting seasons and regulations.

(1) As used in this section and in the context of general cougar hunting seasons, "harvest guideline" means the estimated allowable harvest; the actual harvest may be less than or more than the harvest guideline.
(2) General cougar season is September 1 to April 30 of the following year.
Season dates and harvest guidelines for each season:
Hunt Area
Harvest Guideline
Early Hunting
Season
Late Hunting
Season
Legal Weapon
GMU 101
7-9
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 105
2
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 108, 111
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 113
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 117
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 121
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 124, 127, 130
7-9
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 330, 334, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 149, 154, 162, 163
4-5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 145, 166, 175, 178
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 169, 172, 181, 186
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 203
5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 204
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 209, 215
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 218, 231
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 224
2
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 233, 239
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 242, 243
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 244, 246, 247
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 245, 250
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 249, 251
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 328, 329, 335
6-7
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 352, 356, 360, 364, 368
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 382, 388
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 407
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 418, 426, 437
11-15
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 448, 450
10-13
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 454
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 460
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 466, 485, 490
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530
8-10
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 503, 505, 520, 550
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 510, 513
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 516
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 524, 554, 556
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 560
5-6
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 564
1
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 568
2
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 572
3
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 574, 578
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 601, 602, 603, 612
5-7
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 607, 615
4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 618, 636, 638
4-5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 621, 624, 627, 633
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 642, 648, 651
6-8
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 652, 666
None
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 653, 654
5
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 684, 699
9-12
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
GMU 667
3-4
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30
Any Legal Weapon
(a) In hunt areas with a harvest guideline, the cougar late hunting season may close on or after January 1st in one or more GMUs if cougar harvest meets or exceeds the guideline.
(b) In hunt areas with a harvest guideline, starting January 1st, cougar hunters may hunt cougar from January 1st until the hunt area harvest guideline has been met, and the department has notified licensed cougar hunters by posting the hunt area closure on the department's website and on the toll-free cougar hunting hotline, or April 30th, whichever occurs first.
(3) Harvest guideline system:
(a) All cougar killed by licensed hunters during the early and late hunting seasons, and seasons authorized under WAC 220-440-030 shall be counted toward the harvest guideline.
(b) Individual problem cougar will continue to be killed on an as-needed basis utilizing depredation permits, landowner kill permits, and WDFW depredation authority regardless of harvest guidelines.
(c) It is each cougar hunter's responsibility to verify if the cougar late hunting season is open or closed in hunt areas with a harvest guideline. Cougar hunters can verify if the season is open or closed by calling the toll-free cougar hunting hotline or visiting the department's website.
(4) Cougar hunting season requirements and special restrictions.
(a) A valid big game hunting license which includes cougar as a species option is required to hunt cougar.
(b) The statewide bag limit is one (1) cougar per license year; excluding removals authorized under WAC 220-440-030. It is unlawful to kill or possess spotted cougar kittens or adult cougars accompanied by spotted kittens.
(c) The use of dogs to hunt cougar is prohibited; except by a commission authorized permit (WAC 220-440-030).
(d) Any person who takes a cougar must comply with the notification and sealing requirements in WAC 220-400-050.
(e) A special cougar permit is required to hunt cougar in GMU 485.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.020, 77.12.040, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.210, 77.12.240, 77.12.320, 77.12.570, 77.12.800, 77.15.245, 77.32.007, 77.32.050, 77.32.070, 77.32.090, 77.32.370, and 77.32.530. WSR 18-11-061 (Order 18-76), § 220-415-100, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), amended and recodified as § 220-415-100, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.12.800, 77.32.090, and 77.32.155. WSR 16-12-087, § 232-28-297, filed 5/31/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 15-10-066 (Order 15-99), § 232-28-297, filed 5/1/15, effective 6/1/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, and 77.15.245. WSR 13-16-056 (Order 13-180), § 232-28-297, filed 8/1/13, effective 9/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-297, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12.]