Washington wildlife officials are proposing changes to regulations governing when livestock owners can legally kill wolves attacking domestic animals. The proposal seeks to clarify who can take lethal action, strengthen livestock protection requirements, and address ongoing conflicts between recovering wolf populations and ranching operations in eastern Washington.
Washington’s 2026 modern firearm deer season begins this Saturday, bringing new opportunities for mule deer and white-tailed deer hunters. But mandatory disease testing, statewide baiting restrictions, and carcass transportation rules require extra attention before heading into the field.
WDFW has removed an adult male and female wolf from the southeast Washington pack in less than two weeks after repeated cattle depredations continued despite nonlethal deterrence efforts.
Washington’s 2026 deer seasons are underway, with hunters pursuing mule deer, white-tailed deer and black-tailed deer across dramatically different landscapes. WDFW’s latest hunting forecast points to opportunities across the state, but wildfire impacts, access changes and new CWD requirements will be important considerations this fall.
Two Washington cougar hunt areas have already closed after reaching their mortality limits, showing how quickly hunting opportunities can change under the state’s new management system. As of September 24, CHMU 7, covering GMU 124, and CHMU 3, covering GMUs 108 and 111, are closed to cougar hunting.
A long-running independent investigation found violations of transparency and conflict-of-interest rules involving members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, adding another chapter to years of controversy over the commission and wildlife management in the state.
Washington hunters can weigh in on potential changes affecting deer, elk, moose, waterfowl, turkey, small game, hunting methods and other regulations before WDFW develops its formal proposals.
Multiple major wildfires have triggered closures across eastern Washington, while drifting smoke is affecting hunting conditions in northern Idaho ahead of the fall seasons.
Washington hunters can now access the latest 2026–2027 seasons and regulations for waterfowl, upland birds, small mammals, and furbearers in the Hunterizer app, building on the previously released big game seasons.
Hunters won’t see grizzly seasons return yet, but the proposal could give western states much greater authority to manage bears and respond to conflicts.
Targeted action in northern Idaho marks first wolf removal effort of its kind in the Panhandle region. Officials say the move is aimed at improving struggling elk populations, while critics question long-term strategy.
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