Free: Contests & Raffles.
There is a youth modern firearm season in some Eastern WA GMUs like last year but they removed the late season any WT deer in NE WA GMUs. Plus there are the youth special permits for deer, too. The only youth season I can think of that opens before the general season is the statewide youth only upland bird hunt this weekend (Sept 26-27).
You're right, I went through this years regs and found nothing about an early youth hunt. On that note though, looking at the 2008 regs I can't find what you're saying about an early opening youth hunt last year that got eliminated this year? Not trying to or call you out but I don't see it. http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/huntregs2008.pdf
last year there was a youth only whitetail hunt in the NE and if i remember correctly it was the weekend before the general modern opener. i have looked over the reg's thoroughly(by my standards) and found nothing this year. i could have missed something.
last year's NE youth season ran from the close of modern season until the open of late season. shortened this year.
I'll bet it had to do with the winter kill in the NE.