Why It Matters: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has launched a critical public comment period for shaping the state’s 2027-2029 hunting seasons, offering sportsmen and women a direct voice in regulations that affect everything from bag limits to access on public lands. This three-year cycle ensures sustainable game populations while maximizing hunting opportunities, drawing on data-driven recommendations and stakeholder input to balance recreation with wildlife management. With deadlines approaching, active participation is essential to influence proposals on key species like deer, elk, and bear.
Highlights:
- WDFW’s scoping survey gathers input on proposed changes to hunting rules, including permits, access, and management for major game species. The survey will be conducted through October 31, 2025.
- In addition to the online survey, participants can submit comments to WDFW by email, phone (855-925-2801) or by mailing the WDWF Wildlife Program in Olympia.
- Feedback will inform the proposals being drafted in 2026, with final adoption by the WDFW Commission in early 2027. The sportsmen’s voice will be a vital component as the Department works to shape the next three years of hunts.
WDFW announced the opening of public input on the three-year hunting season planning cycle, inviting hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to submit feedback through an online public scoping survey. This marks the beginning of a collaborative rule-making process for the 2027-2029 hunting seasons, focusing on potential updates to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) that governs everything from season dates and bag limits to special permits and land access. As a part of WDFW’s commitment to sustainable management under the Gampe Management Plan (GMP), the survey emphasizes public involvement to ensure regulations reflect real hunter experiences and priorities.
At its core, the season setting process operates on a dual cycle: starting with a comprehensive three-year season setting initiative for broad management planning that is supplemented with annual adjustments for in real time management updates based on previous year’s harvest data, weather impacts, and population surveys. For the 2027-2029 seasons, this early scoping phase is the first of two major public comment opportunities: allowing for input on topics like general game management, specific species regulations, permit systems, and hunter access. The scoping platform also provides background resources including links to current hunting regulations. All submissions for this first round must be received by October 31, 2025, to be considered for the full draft proposal, which will be presented in 2026.
This open call aligns with WDFW’s data-informed approach, where staff analyze harvest reports, hunter surveys, and field data from early-year population assessments to refine hunting season recommendations in line with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Following this scoping period, a second public comment period will open for direct feedback on WDFW’s rule proposals prior to final adoption by the WDFW Commission in early 2027.
For sportsmen and women this is an opportunity to advocate for management goals, improved access, expanded opportunities, and updates to hunting seasons. By engaging now, hunters can help ensure the next 3-year season cycle will protect our sporting heritage, opportunity afield, and science-based wildlife management.
