The cougar hunting season is split into an early (Sept. 1 – Dec. 31) and late (Jan. 1 – April 30) season. The early cougar season opens Sept. 01, 2023.
Starting Jan. 1, 2024, cougar hunters may hunt cougar through April 30, except in GMUs where the harvest guideline has been reached and the WDFW director has closed the PMU for cougar hunting for the season.
All cougars 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 when it takes effect January 1st.
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 referencing this webpage or calling the toll-free Cougar Hotline at 1-866-364-4868 (press 2 after greeting).
Cougar hunters must adhere to the following requirements;
- After Jan. 1, 2024, all hunters must report their harvest within 72 hours via the toll-free Cougar Hotline (1-866-364-4868, press 3 after greeting).
- Cougars must be sealed at any WDFW office within five days of harvest. Cougar must be unfrozen with proof of sex attached.
- Regardless of harvest success, please report your early & late season hunt activity separately via the WILD licensing system. More information on harvest reporting is available here: Reporting your harvest webpage
See the Cougar General Seasons section of the Big Game Hunting pamphlet for more information.
Hunt Area | Late Hunting Season | Status |
---|---|---|
GMU 101 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 105 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 108, 111 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 113 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 117 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 121 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 124, 127, 130 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 330, 334, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 145, 166, 175, 178 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 149, 154, 157, 162, 163 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 169, 172, 181, 186 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 203 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 204 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 209, 215 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 218, 231 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 224 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 233, 239 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 242, 243 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 244, 246, 247 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 245, 250 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 249, 251 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 328, 329, 335 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 352, 356, 360, 364, 368 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 382, 388 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 407 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 418, 426, 437 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 448, 450 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 454 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 460 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 466, 485a, 490 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 503, 505, 520, 550 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 510, 513 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 516 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 522, 524, 554, 556 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 560 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 564 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 568 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 572 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 574, 578 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 601, 602, 603, 612 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 607, 615 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 618, 636, 638 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 621, 624, 627, 633 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 642, 648, 651 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 652, 666 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 653, 654 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 684, 699 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
GMU 667 | January 1 - April 30, 2024 | Closed |
a Only hunters possessing a deer or elk special permit for GMU 485 may hunt cougar in this unit during that permit hunt.