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.
Washington’s 2026–27 cougar season opened September 1, but hunters already have fewer places available to hunt. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed two Cougar Hunt Management Units after their mortality limits were reached.
As of September 24, CHMU 7, covering GMU 124, and CHMU 3, covering GMUs 108 and 111, are closed to cougar hunting. Other Cougar Hunt Management Units remain open, but hunters need to check the current status before heading into the field because additional areas can close as their limits are reached. (https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/big-game/cougar)
First Closure Came Just 10 Days Into the Season
The first closure came quickly.
CHMU 7 (GMU 124) closed September 10 after reaching its mortality limit of three cougars. Interestingly, those three animals were classified as conflict mortalities rather than hunter harvest.
Then, on September 17, WDFW closed CHMU 3 (GMUs 108 and 111) after its mortality limit of four was reached. WDFW’s current tally lists two hunter-harvest mortalities and two conflict mortalities in the unit. (https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/big-game/cougar)
That means two cougar hunt areas were already closed within the first 17 days of a season that can otherwise continue into March.
How Washington’s Cougar Mortality Limits Work
Washington now manages cougar hunting through Cougar Hunt Management Units, or CHMUs, rather than simply allowing the statewide season to remain open everywhere until a fixed closing date.
Each CHMU has its own annual mortality limit. Importantly, the total can include more than cougars legally harvested by hunters. Depending on the category, documented mortalities associated with conflicts, depredation, public safety and other causes can count toward the limit.
Once a CHMU reaches its limit, WDFW closes cougar hunting there for the remainder of the season.
That creates an unusual situation for hunters: a cougar area that was legal to hunt when a trip was planned can become closed before the hunter actually arrives.
Season Can Run Through March 31 — If the Area Stays Open
Washington’s general 2026–27 cougar season runs September 1 through March 31, but only in CHMUs that have not reached their mortality limit.
Hunters therefore cannot rely on the March 31 date alone.
WDFW updates CHMU mortality information and closure status each Thursday, and hunters are responsible for checking whether their intended area remains open before hunting. (wdfw.wa.gov)
The season has a bag limit of one cougar per license year. Hunters must possess the appropriate cougar license and comply with applicable weapon and hunting regulations.
Successful Hunters Have Additional Requirements
Harvesting a cougar also triggers mandatory reporting and inspection requirements.
A successful hunter must report the harvest to WDFW within 72 hours and provide information including the location and date of harvest.
The cougar’s hide, with evidence of sex naturally attached, and the skull must also be presented to an authorized WDFW employee for sealing within three business days of reporting the harvest. WDFW removes a premolar during the sealing process so the animal’s age can be determined. (wdfw.wa.gov)
Hunters should arrange the sealing appointment promptly rather than waiting until the end of the reporting period.
Why Hunters Need to Check Immediately Before Hunting
The early closures of CHMU 3 and CHMU 7 demonstrate one of the most important aspects of Washington’s current cougar regulations: season status can change while the statewide season is still underway.
A hunter may have a valid cougar license, be within the statewide September 1–March 31 season and otherwise be prepared to hunt legally, but hunting becomes prohibited once that particular CHMU closes.
This is especially important for hunters who pursue other big game while carrying a cougar tag. Someone planning a deer or elk hunt later this fall should not assume that cougar hunting remains open in the same GMU simply because it was open earlier in the season.
Hunters can check WDFW’s current Cougar Hunting Seasons and Regulations page for the latest mortality totals and closures before heading out.
Check Cougar Season With Hunterizer
Washington’s cougar season is a good example of why hunting regulations cannot always be treated as static season dates. A season scheduled through March can effectively end months earlier in an individual area once its mortality limit is reached.
The Hunterizer app helps Washington hunters check hunting seasons, GMUs, legal weapons and other important regulations for their location. As cougar mortality limits are reached during the 2026–27 season, hunters should always verify the latest WDFW closure information before pursuing a cougar.
