Wash. Rev. Code » Title 77 · Chapter 77.15
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 77.15.410 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of unlawful hunting of big game in the second degree if the person:
(a) Hunts for big game and, whether or not the person takes or possesses big game, the person has not purchased the appropriate license, permit, or tags required under this title;
(b) Takes or possesses big game, but does not have in the person's possession the licenses, tags, or permits required under this title;
(c) Takes or possesses big game and violates any department rule regarding seasons, bag or possession limits, closed areas including game reserves, closed times, or any other rule governing the hunting, taking, or possession of deer, elk, cougar, and black bear;
(d) Hunts for big game and, whether or not the person takes or possesses big game, the person does not have in the person's possession the licenses, tags, or permits required under this title; and the act occurs within two years of the date of a prior committed finding of any big game hunting infraction under RCW 77.15.160(6); or
(e) Violates any department rule regarding seasons, bag or possession limits, closed areas including game reserves, closed times, or any other rule governing the hunting, taking, or possession of big game species other than deer, elk, cougar, or black bear.
(2) A person is guilty of unlawful hunting of big game in the first degree if the person commits the act described in subsection (1) of this section and:
(a) The person hunts for, takes, or possesses three or more big game animals within the same course of events; or
(b) The act occurs within five years of the date of a prior conviction under this title involving unlawful hunting, killing, possessing, or taking big game.
(3)(a) Unlawful hunting of big game in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction of an offense involving killing or possession of big game taken during a closed season, closed area, without the proper license, tag, or permit using an unlawful method, or in excess of the bag or possession limit, the department shall revoke all of the person's hunting licenses and tags and order a suspension of the person's hunting privileges for two years. Courts shall impose the mandatory penalty requirements of RCW 77.15.420.
(b) Unlawful hunting of big game in the first degree is a class C felony. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke all of the person's hunting licenses or tags and order the person's hunting privileges suspended for 10 years. Courts shall impose the mandatory penalty requirements of RCW 77.15.420.
(4) For the purposes of this section, "same course of events" means within one 72 hour period, or a common scheme or plan of a series of acts that are unlawful under subsection (1) of this section.
[ 2025 c 76 s 5; 2012 c 176 s 26; 2011 c 133 s 1; 2005 c 406 s 4; 1999 c 258 s 3; 1998 c 190 s 10.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1999–2016 · leading case: State v. Vander Houwen, 177 P.3d 93 (Wash. 2008).
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State v. Vander Houwen, 177 P.3d 93 (Wash. 2008). “¶ 39 In my view, in order to be a correct statement of the law and to allow the parties to argue their respective theories of the case, the jury should have been instructed that animals may be killed if necessary to protect property.”
State v. Vander Houwen, 163 Wash. 2d 25 (Wash. 2008). “¶39 In my view, in order to be a correct statement of the law and to allow the parties to argue their respective theories of the case, the jury should have been instructed that animals may be killed if necessary to protect property.”
State v. Buchanan, 978 P.2d 1070 (Wash. 1999). “See RCW 77.15.410 (unlawful hunting of big game); RCW 77.”
State v. Buchanan, 978 P.2d 1070 (Wash. 1999). “See RCW 77.15.410 (unlawful hunting of big game); RCW 77.”
State v. Richard, 144 Wash. App. 27 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 12× “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer’s death.”
State v. Richard, 180 P.3d 863 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 13× “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer's death.”
State v. Vander Houwen, 115 P.3d 399 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “RCW 77.15.410(1). ¶ 23 Here, the State alleged conduct (a) and (b).”
State v. Vander Houwen, 128 Wash. App. 806 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “RCW 77.15.410(1). ¶22 Here, the State alleged conduct (a) and (b).”
State of Washington v. Cindy Lou McMeans (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “At no time did the defendants 4 Felony first degree unlawful hunting of big game requires proof, as charged in this instance, that a hunter killed three or more big game animals within a 24 hour period. RCW 77.15.410(2)(a), (4).”
State of Washington, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife v. 1999 Ford F350 Pickup (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “Remington rifle, and Cabelas size llEE boots, because they allege that you committed Unlawful Hunting of Big Game Second Degree, RCW 77.15.410(1). Clerk's Papers (CP) at 56.”
Dep't of Fish & Wildlife v. One 1999 Ford F350 Diesel Pickup Truck, 331 P.3d 102 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “35 calfiber] Remington rifle, and Cabelas size 11EE boots, because they allege that you committed Unlawful Hunting of Big Game Second Degree, RCW 77.15.410(1). Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 56.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 77.15.410(1) — 7 cases
State v. Richard, 144 Wash. App. 27 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer’s death.”
State v. Vander Houwen, 115 P.3d 399 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “RCW 77.15.410(1). ¶ 23 Here, the State alleged conduct (a) and (b).”
State v. Vander Houwen, 128 Wash. App. 806 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “RCW 77.15.410(1). ¶22 Here, the State alleged conduct (a) and (b).”
State v. Richard, 180 P.3d 863 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer's death.”
State of Washington v. Cindy Lou McMeans (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “At no time did the defendants 4 Felony first degree unlawful hunting of big game requires proof, as charged in this instance, that a hunter killed three or more big game animals within a 24 hour period. RCW 77.15.410(2)(a), (4).”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 77.15.410(1)(b) — 1 case
State v. Richard, 180 P.3d 863 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer's death.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 77.15.410(2)(a) — 1 case
State of Washington v. Cindy Lou McMeans (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “At no time did the defendants 4 Felony first degree unlawful hunting of big game requires proof, as charged in this instance, that a hunter killed three or more big game animals within a 24 hour period. RCW 77.15.410(2)(a), (4).”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 77.15.410(3)(a) — 2 cases
State v. Richard, 144 Wash. App. 27 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer’s death.”
State v. Richard, 180 P.3d 863 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “The jury was not instructed to decide if the RCW 77.15.410 violation resulted in the deer's death.”
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