Hunting

Golden Retriever

Visitors to the Monument in fall and winter can enjoy a variety of hunting experiences in the riparian and shrub-steppe habitats. Upland hunters will find chukar and California quail challenging in the tall sagebrush. Waterfowl are abundant on both the Columbia River and the White Bluffs Ponds on the Wahluke Unit. Big game hunters can find opportunities to harvest mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk.


All seasons are set by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Be sure to read the free state hunting regulations published annually. Special restrictions apply while hunting Monument lands, including restrictions on modern firearms and non-toxic shot. Shotguns, muzzleloaders and archery are the only weapons allowed.

No trapping of any kind is allowed on the Hanford Reach National Monument.

There are a few activities associated with hunting that are prohibited; in fact, most are prohibitions regardless of what you're doing on the Monument. Please follow these regulations so that the next visitor also has a pleasurable experience.

  • The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting.
  • Trespassing on islands above the ordinary high water mark.
  • Fires.
  • Camping or overnight parking.
  • Littering.
  • The use of ATVs and other off-road vehicles.
  • Off-road travel of any sort, except by foot.
  • Commercial guiding for hunting.
  • Abandoning, discarding or otherwise leaving personal property.
  • Target shooting.
  • Discharging any firearm within 1/4 mile of any maintained building.

Hunting seasons/regulations specific to the Monument can be found in the PDF below.

Hanford Reach National Monument Hunting Regulations

To see the regulations and hunting opportunities on all the refuges in the Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex, please visit:

Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex's Hunting Regulations

When in doubt, call us at (509) 546-8300, or email us at hanfordreach@fws.gov.