Big game season proposals

[bobcat]

I am surprised by them moving the season a week later though. Does anyone know the reason behind the change?

I don't think there's really been a change. The eastern Washington elk season opened on the last Saturday of October in 2025, and in 2026 it opens on the last Saturday of October also, which just happens to be October 31.

Similarly, opening day of deer season was October 11 in 2025, and will be October 17 in 2026.

[CarbonHunter]

I am surprised by them moving the season a week later though. Does anyone know the reason behind the change?

I don't think there's really been a change. The eastern Washington elk season opened on the last Saturday of October in 2025, and in 2026 it opens on the last Saturday of October also, which just happens to be October 31.

Similarly, opening day of deer season was October 11 in 2025, and will be October 17 in 2026.

You know now that you say this I think I remember them changing the start of deer and elk season several years back from being deer starting the 2nd Saturday in October with east side elk start 2 weeks later to something like deer starts the first Saturday after the 10th or that east side elk starts the last Saturday with deer starting 2 weeks earlier.

I remember years ago deer season starting on the 10th and it was a really early season that year. This makes for a short blacktail season though and I think this is the first time in 30 years where the cow season was before general season for east side elk.

[B4noon]

I would be surprised if those dates stick once the individual who submitted them realizes the general eastside dates are late this year rifle season is oct31-nov8.  The blue mtn and northeast corner permits correlate with the correct dates for all weapon types we will likely see an edit for the Yakima permits coming