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Washington Wildlife News

• WDFW soliciting additional public comment for incentive deer permit proposals March 18, 2026
  OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is soliciting public comments on proposed changes to rules about hunter education instructor incentive deer permits as part of the Department’s annual season setting process.WDFW is proposing a supplemental rule change that clarifies that hunter education instructors may buy a second deer tag if […]
• March 2026 Nisqually River incident March 17, 2026
  On Monday, March 16, at approximately 3 p.m., a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police Officer, patrolling outside of Yelm in Thurston County, heard a radio transmission that a WDFW jet boat on the nearby Nisqually River was disabled. The boat operator was stuck on the vessel at a log jam.The engine on the vessel had lost power while three […]
• Prescribed fires planned for WDFW-managed lands in Eastern Washington March 16, 2026
  EPHRATA- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) plans to conduct prescribed burns on nearly 500 acres of WDFW-managed lands in Eastern Washington in March, as weather and conditions allow.Every spring, WDFW treats hundreds of acres on wildlife areas in WDFW’s Eastern, North Central, and South Central regions- to reduce the risk of future wildf […]
• Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission met in Walla Walla March 16, 2026
  The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission held a hybrid meeting in Walla Walla. The Commission discussed rule making regarding commercial non-spot shrimp pot licenses and livestock compensation, approved changes to its rules of procedure, and heard public input. The meeting began with the Big Tent, Fish, Habitat, and Wildlife committees. The Big Tent Commi […]
• Halibut fishing starts April 2 in Puget Sound marine areas and April 30 in coastal marine areas March 11, 2026
  CORRECTION: Updated to reflect that halibut fishing will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays only in June for Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2).OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced plans for the 2026 halibut fishing season, which will kick off April 2 in Puget Sound marine areas and April 30 in coastal marine are […]