Hunting in Washington: 12 Things to Know About Urban Deer Hunting in Cities and Suburbs

Washington's reliance on deer for food, recreation and culture, ensures that the state prioritizes managing the population and habitat. The state's Deer Management Plan aims to control the deer population with hunting practices. The plan allows for prohibiting hunting in areas where the population has plummeted, and decreasing the population via hunting where it is too high.

Each year 38,600 deer are killed in Washington, according to Deer Friendly. Often, deer populations are too high near urban areas. High urban deer populations cause increased numbers of car accidents, spread diseases, and graze upon cash crops and gardens. Hunters help to lower the numbers of deer in urban areas. There are more regulations concerning urban deer hunting than rural because urban deer hunting is more likely to hurt another human or destroy property.

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Here are 12 things to know about urban deer hunting in Washington's cities and suburbs, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

1. A conviction in the state of Washington for illegally killing deer is $2,000 for an average sized deer and $6,000 for a trophy deer.

2. Hunters must always wear hunter orange when hunting in an urban area.

3. Always get the landowner's permission to hunt on their land before doing so. Tell them exactly where and during what times you will be hunting.

4. Stay far away from all buildings and do not shoot near or across roads.

5. Infrared night vision equipment that can project a beam of light is illegal when used to hunt deer.

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6. Dogs may not chase deer.

7. Using electronic calls and decoys to hunt deer is illegal.

8. It is illegal to hunt Columbian white-tailed deer in Washington because they are an endangered species.

9. Check all firearm restriction areas in your country before hunting.

10. Pick up all trash you drop while hunting.

11. Do not damage any other person's property while hunting. If property is damaged, report it immediately to the landowner.

12. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife insists that while hunting in urban areas all hunters, "Remember that the future of hunting depends on hunters and non-hunters alike Be considerate of non-hunters' sensibilities, and strive to leave them with positive images of hunting and hunters."

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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