Washington Best Times to Hunt
Solunar calendar and moon phase predictions for Washington
Best Times to Hunt in Washington
Solunar reference for Washington hunters: timezone, WA agency rules, and major/minor period guidance tuned to Washington-specific notes.
How Washington hunters read the solunar calendar
Washington-specific timing patterns — what makes WA different from the surrounding region
Cross the Cascades and you cross calendars. Western Washington coastal and Puget Sound country is wet timber blacktail and Roosevelt elk territory — animals move on dark moon phases and overcast days, with midday rain often outperforming dawn or dusk for daylight movement. Eastern Washington east of the Cascades runs a continental climate with mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk on more traditional western patterns. The Methow, Okanogan, and Blue Mountains country produces classic high-country bowhunting in early September. The northeast Selkirk country whitetail rut peaks mid-November. The Cascade rain shadow is the dominant variable — the same November storm that drops two inches on the Olympic Peninsula may drop nothing east of the crest, and that precipitation split shifts elk and deer concentration patterns dramatically.
Washington Solunar Information
Hunting conditions and wildlife patterns
- Timezone
- Los Angeles
- Hunting Notes
- Cross the Cascades and you cross calendars. Western Washington coastal and Puget Sound country is wet timber blacktail and Roosevelt elk territory — animals move on dark moon phases and overcast days, with midday rain often outperforming dawn or dusk for daylight movement. Eastern Washington east of the Cascades runs a continental climate with mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk on more traditional western patterns. The Methow, Okanogan, and Blue Mountains country produces classic high-country bowhunting in early September. The northeast Selkirk country whitetail rut peaks mid-November. The Cascade rain shadow is the dominant variable — the same November storm that drops two inches on the Olympic Peninsula may drop nothing east of the crest, and that precipitation split shifts elk and deer concentration patterns dramatically.
- Wildlife Agency
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the Washington solunar calendar
The interactive calendar lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with Washington (WA) and the Los Angeles timezone.
Washington Best Times FAQ
Common questions about solunar hunting in Washington
What timezone do Washington solunar tables use?
The Washington calendar runs in the Los Angeles timezone (America/Los_Angeles). Major and minor periods on this page are already shifted to local WA time, so you can match them directly against your sunrise and sunset. Cross the Cascades and you cross calendars. Western Washington coastal and Puget Sound country is wet timber blacktail and Roosevelt elk territory — animals move on dark moon phases and overcast days, with midday rain often outperforming dawn or dusk for daylight movement. Eastern Washington east of the Cascades runs a continental climate with mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk on more traditional western patterns. The Methow, Okanogan, and Blue Mountains country produces classic high-country bowhunting in early September. The northeast Selkirk country whitetail rut peaks mid-November. The Cascade rain shadow is the dominant variable — the same November storm that drops two inches on the Olympic Peninsula may drop nothing east of the crest, and that precipitation split shifts elk and deer concentration patterns dramatically.
What's specific to hunting in Washington that changes the timing?
Cross the Cascades and you cross calendars. Western Washington coastal and Puget Sound country is wet timber blacktail and Roosevelt elk territory — animals move on dark moon phases and overcast days, with midday rain often outperforming dawn or dusk for daylight movement. Eastern Washington east of the Cascades runs a continental climate with mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk on more traditional western patterns. The Methow, Okanogan, and Blue Mountains country produces classic high-country bowhunting in early September. The northeast Selkirk country whitetail rut peaks mid-November. The Cascade rain shadow is the dominant variable — the same November storm that drops two inches on the Olympic Peninsula may drop nothing east of the crest, and that precipitation split shifts elk and deer concentration patterns dramatically.
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