Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
The pandemic may have put an axe in many sporting activities this fall, but nothing is stopping hunters in Eastern Washington from enjoying the outdoors and trekking down some wildlife as the season gets underway.
Some hunting seasons have already begun, while others kick off soon. Below runs a guide to each season by animal and weapon type, with an emphasis on opportunities for youth.
Information is obtained from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife relative to Spokane District 2, which include Game Management Units (GMUs) 124, 127, 130, 133, 136, 139 and 142. That area covers land in Lincoln, Spokane and Whitman counties.
Elk
Early elk archery season is approaching quickly. It runs Sept. 12-24 for any legal elk. Early muzzleloader season follows a week and a half later, running Oct. 3-9. It also includes any legal elk.
White-tail deer
Archery season has already begun for white-tail deer and runs until Sept 25. Deer must be a 3 point minimum or antlerless, except in GMU 124 (any).
Early muzzleloader season follows, from Sept. 26-Oct. 4. Any legal buck is fair game in GMU 124. A 3 point minimum or antlerless rule is in place in GMU’s 127 and 142, and a 3 point minimum rule stands in all other District 2 GMU’s.
General white-tail season for any buck is Oct. 17-27, except in GMU 124, where the season runs until Oct. 30. A special hunt for youth, disabled and 65+ hunters runs from Oct. 17-27 (excluding GMU 124) with a 3 point minimum or antlerless rule in place.
Mule deer
Archery season has begun for mule deer and runs until Sept. 24. Early muzzleloader season follows from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 with a 3 point minimum rule. General mule deer season is from Oct. 17-27.
Cougar
Early cougar season with any legal weapon is under way and runs until Dec. 31. GMU’s 124, 127 and 130 have a 7-9 harvest guideline in place.
Black bear
Black bear season began Aug. 1 and runs until Nov. 15.
GMU’s 124, 127 and 130 fall under the Northeastern B black bear management unit, while all other District 2 GMU’s fall under the Columbia Basin black bear management unit.
Turkey
Turkey season began Sept. 1 and runs until Dec. 31. A two beardless and two either sex limit is in place.
Youth bird hunting opportunities
Some students may not be able to play football or run cross country this fall, but there are some special youth hunting chances for various fowl upcoming.
Canada goose: A youth Canada goose hunt is taking place Sept. 16-17, a Wednesday and Thursday. A four-per-bag and eight-in-total possession limit is in place.
Duck: A youth duck hunt is taking place Monday, Sept. 28. A limit of seven is in place.
Coot: Sept. 28 also brings tidings of a youth coot hunt. There is a limit of seven birds per bag and 25 total.
Pheasant: From Sept. 19-20, a special pheasant hunt for residents younger than 16 is on tap statewide. A 3-cock daily bag and 6-cock total limit is in place.
The following week, from Sept. 21-25, a special pheasant hunt for the elderly or disabled opens. Hunters older than 65 or with disabilities will be allowed to take pheasant. There is a 3-cock daily bag and 15-cock total limit.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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