Wash. Admin. Code § 220-414-020 – Unlawful methods for hunting—Firearms

(1) It is unlawful to hunt any big game with:
1. (a) A fully automatic firearm.
2. (b) A centerfire cartridge less than 22 caliber for cougar.
3. (c) A centerfire cartridge less than 24 caliber for any other big game.
4. (d) A shotgun, provided that it is a 20 gauge, or larger shotgun, using shells loaded with slugs or buckshot size #1 or larger, may be used to hunt deer, bear, and cougar.
5. (e) A shotgun for any other big game, except that a 12 gauge or 10 gauge shotgun using slugs may be used.
6. (f) A handgun during a modern firearm season that does not meet the following criteria: Have a minimum barrel length of four inches, per manufacturer's specification, and fire a centerfire cartridge.
7. (g) Any rimfire cartridge.
(2) It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
(3) It is unlawful to hunt game birds or game animals in a manner other than with a firearm, a bow and arrow, a crossbow, or by falconry, with the following exceptions:
1. (a) Bullfrogs may be hunted only by methods listed in WAC 220-416-120.
2. (b) Dusky grouse, sooty grouse, spruce grouse, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, and cottontail rabbit may be hunted with an air rifle no smaller than .22 caliber and no larger than .25 caliber.
(4) It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game birds with a shotgun larger than 10 gauge.
(5) It is unlawful to hunt game birds with a rifle or handgun, with the exception of:
1. (a) Dusky grouse, sooty grouse, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse; and
2. (b) Turkey, which it is unlawful to hunt with a weapon other than the following:
  1. (i) Crossbow or bow and arrow;
  2. (ii) Shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot, or muzzleloading shotgun shooting #4 or smaller shot;
  3. (iii) Legal modern handgun designed for hunting, shooting #4 or smaller shot, and not capable of holding more than three shells. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches, inclusive of choke tube. Modern handguns must shoot a minimum three inch shotshell of .410 caliber or larger;
  4. (iv) Legal muzzleloading handgun designed for hunting and shooting #4 or smaller shot. Handgun barrel length must be a minimum of 10 inches. Muzzleloading handguns must be .45 caliber or larger.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 25-17-008 (Order 25-12), s 220-414-020, filed 8/7/25, effective 9/7/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 22-13-110 (Order 22-70), § 220-414-020, filed 6/15/22, effective 7/16/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.013, 77.04.020, 77.04.055, and 77.12.047. WSR 17-05-112 (Order 17-04), recodified as § 220-414-020, filed 2/15/17, effective 3/18/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.04.012, 77.04.055, 77.12.047, 77.12.150, and 77.12.240. WSR 15-10-035 (Order 15-97), § 232-12-047, filed 4/28/15, effective 5/29/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.240, and 77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-12-047, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-12-047, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240, 77.32.070, 77.32.530. WSR 10-10-061 (Order 10-94), § 232-12-047, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047, 77.12.020, 77.12.570, 77.12.210, 77.12.150, 77.12.240. WSR 09-09-083 (Order 09-53), § 232-12-047, filed 4/15/09, effective 5/16/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.12.020. WSR 04-11-036 (Order 04-98), § 232-12-047, filed 5/12/04, effective 6/12/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040, 77.12.010, 77.12.020, 77.12.770, 77.12.780. WSR 00-11-137 (Order 00-50), § 232-12-047, filed 5/23/00, effective 6/23/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.040. WSR 98-10-006 (Order 98-53), § 232-12-047, filed 4/22/98, effective 5/23/98; WSR 90-14-108 (Order 449), § 232-12-047, filed 7/5/90, effective 8/5/90; WSR 83-01-006 (Order 198), § 232-12-047, filed 12/2/82; WSR 82-04-034 (Order 177), § 232-12-047, filed 1/28/82; WSR 81-22-002 (Order 174), § 232-12-047, filed 10/22/81; WSR 81-12-029 (Order 165), § 232-12-047, filed 6/1/81. Formerly WAC 232-12-130.]