Quail Hunting Season in Washington: Dates, Limits, and Rules by Region
October 20, 2026
Quail hunting season in Washington runs for more than four months in the eastern half of the state, and the dates change depending on which side of the Cascades you stand on. That split trips up plenty of hunters, especially anyone crossing the mountains with a bird dog in the truck.
This article covers the 2026-27 dates, the three quail species, bag and possession limits, licensing, legal methods, shooting hours, and where to hunt. You will also find how quail seasons compare with the other Washington game seasons you may be chasing this fall, like dove hunting in Washington.
Important Note: Seasons are set by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and can change from year to year. The 2026-27 rules take effect July 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027, so confirm details against the official WDFW pamphlet before you head out.
Quail Hunting Season Dates in Washington
Washington splits quail seasons by region and by species. As of the 2026-27 WDFW regulations, Eastern Washington’s regular valley quail and bobwhite season opens October 3, 2026 and closes January 18, 2027, while Western Washington runs September 19 through November 30, 2026.
Young hunters get a head start on the east side. The Eastern Washington youth quail weekend ran September 12-13, and that youth-only segment has already closed for this season year. Since today is October 11, 2026, the eastside regular season is already open, and you have roughly three months left to hunt it.
| Species | Region | 2026-27 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| California (Valley) Quail and Northern Bobwhite | Western Washington | Sept. 19 – Nov. 30 |
| California (Valley) Quail and Northern Bobwhite | Eastern Washington (youth only) | Sept. 12-13 |
| California (Valley) Quail and Northern Bobwhite | Eastern Washington (regular) | Oct. 3 – Jan. 18 |
| Mountain Quail | Western Washington | Sept. 19 – Nov. 30 |
| Mountain Quail | Eastern Washington | Closed |
Dates above come from the eRegulations Washington game bird listing and the WDFW fall game bird key dates bulletin. Some third-party sites list different quail start dates, such as October 17, which is actually the eastside pheasant opener, so stick with WDFW’s own figures.
Quail Species You Can Hunt in Washington
Three kinds of quail live in the state, but only some are legal targets in each region. The California quail, also called valley quail (Callipepla californica), is the bird most hunters pursue. It prefers thick brush near open feeding grounds and thrives in riparian corridors, CRP fields, and brushy coulees.
Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) share the same season and combined limit as valley quail, but you will rarely meet one. Washington has a bobwhite season, though the population is extremely limited and descends from previously released birds. Those birds are mostly found near agricultural edges and brushy fields in the southeast.
Mountain quail (Oreortyx pictus) are the third species, and the rules are tighter. Hunting for mountain quail is restricted to western Washington, and eastern Washington stays closed. If you hunt the east side, shoot only valley quail and bobwhite, and learn to tell a mountain quail’s long, straight head plume from the valley quail’s curved topknot.
Pro Tip: Valley quail are the realistic option for most hunters. Mountain quail live in dense west-side forest and brush, so expect a hard, low-odds hunt compared to the coveys of the Columbia Basin.
Quail Bag and Possession Limits in Washington
Limits are straightforward once you know that valley quail and bobwhite count together. The regular-season limit for both species is 10 in a mixed bag per day, with 30 in possession. You cannot take 10 valley quail and 10 bobwhite in the same day.
The eastside youth weekend uses a lower possession cap. Youth hunters can take 10 mixed-bag birds per day with a 20-bird possession limit. Mountain quail are much more restricted, with 2 per day and 4 in possession in Western Washington.
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Quail and Bobwhite (combined) | 10 | 30 |
| Valley Quail and Bobwhite, Eastern WA Youth Weekend | 10 | 20 |
| Mountain Quail (Western WA) | 2 | 4 |
Before you fill a limit, check where your bird count stands at the end of a multi-day trip. Possession limits include birds in your freezer, so a long weekend of good shooting can put you over the cap faster than you expect.
Licenses and Permits Required to Hunt Quail in Washington
You need a valid Washington hunting license, and the state treats quail as part of its small game rules. Both residents and non-residents need a valid license plus the upland bird validation, according to one regional hunting guide, and non-residents can hunt quail with the right license and validations.
Most new hunters also need proof of hunter education. It is required for most hunters born after January 1, 1972. If you plan to hunt the west side, note that WDFW lists a Western Washington pheasant license as a separate 2026 product from the small game license, though that license applies to pheasant rather than quail.
Prices change every license year, so check the current fee schedule on the WDFW licensing page rather than relying on a number from a third-party blog. For a look at how other Washington seasons handle tags and permits, see the turkey hunting season in Washington and deer hunting season in Washington guides.
Legal Weapons and Methods for Quail Hunting in Washington
Shotguns are the standard tool for quail, and most hunters bring a 20 or 12 gauge with light upland loads. The WDFW pamphlet is the authority on legal firearms, shot size, and magazine rules for small game, and it covers methods in detail, so read that section before you buy ammunition.
Shot type matters in some places. WDFW requires nontoxic shot for all upland bird hunting on pheasant release sites statewide. If you hunt quail on a wildlife area that doubles as a release site, steel or another approved nontoxic load keeps you legal.
Dogs are a big part of quail hunting, and Washington has its own rules for training them. You may train dogs on game birds between August 1 and March 31, and year-round on some designated wildlife areas. Any game birds released during training must be banded or marked, and you must carry the receipt from the game farm.
- Confirm which shot types your hunting area requires.
- Pattern your shotgun with the load you plan to use.
- Carry your dog-training receipt if you release birds.
- Never shoot wild birds out of season while training.
Shooting Hours and Sunday Hunting Rules for Quail in Washington
Shooting hours depend on where you hunt. In Western Washington, quail and pheasant seasons list hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. That narrow window applies to the west-side seasons because of the stocked-bird release programs.
Eastern Washington follows WDFW’s official upland hunting hours, which the agency publishes on its game bird and small game regulations page. That page lists legal hunting hours for migratory game birds, upland birds, and turkeys. Quail are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so plan around those windows.
The sources I reviewed do not describe any Sunday closure for quail in Washington. Quail seasons are listed as continuous date ranges, and Washington does not restrict small game hunting on Sundays in the way some eastern states do. Still, individual wildlife areas, private landowners, and access programs can set their own rules, so check posted signs and WDFW area notes before you go.
Pro Tip: If you split time between quail and other fall seasons, remember that waterfowl rules differ. The duck hunting laws in Washington cover separate hours and gear requirements.
Quail Hunting on Public Land and Hunting Preserves in Washington
Eastern Washington has the best public access for quail. The Palouse, Walla Walla, and Yakima regions offer solid chances, and public access is abundant in the Columbia Basin and on WDFW-managed lands under the Feel Free to Hunt and Register to Hunt programs.
Valley quail tend to hold where cover meets food. The Columbia Basin has vast areas of CRP land, brushy draws, and sage-covered terrain suited to valley quail. Look for brushy creek bottoms and fencerows next to wheat fields, and walk them early.
WDFW also publishes an upland bird locations page for release sites and wildlife areas, which is the best place to start planning a trip. Wildfire closures can affect WDFW lands, and the agency asks hunters to check its wildfire information page for fire restrictions and closures before visiting.
The sources I found do not name specific licensed quail preserves in Washington, so contact local game farms or guides directly if you want a preserve hunt. Whatever you choose, respect private property and get permission before crossing posted ground. If you are planning a bigger trip, the bear hunting season in Washington guide is a good next read for stacking hunts in one outing.
Drought and Bird Numbers
Weather shapes how many birds you will find. Drought is unfavorable for brood production, and habitat fragmentation further limits distribution for bobwhite in particular. A dry year can mean smaller coveys, so scout early and be ready to move between drainages.
Washington gives quail hunters a long eastside season, a simple mixed-bag limit, and plenty of public ground. Pick your region, confirm the dates in the 2026 WDFW game bird pamphlet, and get a dog into the brush while the season is open through January 18.