
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the return of brant goose hunting in select counties—Clallam, Pacific, and Whatcom—while confirming the continued closure in Skagit County due to insufficient brant populations. Hunters can look forward to waterfowl hunting in these counties on specific dates in January. For detailed hunting regulations and dates, they should refer to page 27 of the 2024-2025 Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations, as stated by WDFW.
In a bid to manage wildlife conservation and hunting activities, Skagit County will not see brant hunting this season, as they have not met the 3,000-bird minimum typically required to open hunting. The recent aerial surveys conducted over local bays confirm that the brant count stands at 1,992 birds, which do not meet the threshold for initiating a brant hunting season there.
Kyle Spragens, WDFW's waterfowl section manager, noted the crucial balance between providing hunting opportunities and fulfilling conservation objectives. During the winter, brant geese are identified by their sleek black heads, a distinctive white "necklace" marking, and contrasting body feathers; they frequent coastal zones where they primarily feed on underwater plant life such as eelgrass and sea lettuce.
Moreover, WDFW reminds potential brant hunters to stay updated on local hunting guidelines, particularly the exclusion zones in Clallam County's Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and the Lummi Nation boundaries affecting Whatcom County's Bellingham and Lummi Bays. Those interested in brant hunting must also ensure they carry the required migratory bird authorization and a brant harvest report card.
The WDFW is mandated to maintain biodiversity by preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems; part of this work involves ensuring the viability of fish and wildlife for both recreational and commercial encounters.