Rifles: Rules and Regulations

These rules and regulations apply to all individuals who hunt with a modern firearm.

• Individuals wishing to buy a rifle from a licensed firearms dealer must meet a minimum age requirement. For rifles with semi-automatic actions, the purchaser must be 21 years of age. The minimum age to purchase all other rifle actions is 18 years of age.
• Minors under 18 years of age may possess a firearm if they are in attendance at a hunter safety course, are hunting or trapping under a valid license, or meet one of the other exceptions provided by law.
• Centerfire rifles used to hunt big game (except cougar) in Washington must be a minimum of .24.
• Cougar may be hunted with .22 caliber centerfire rifles. Rimfire rifles are not legal for big game.
• All fully automatic firearms are illegal for hunting.