The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will begin accepting special hunt permit applications on April 24 for 2023 deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and fall turkey seasons. The application period is open through May 24.
Hunters with a special hunt permit will have the opportunity to hunt at special times or places authorized by that permit. This can often result in fewer crowds and higher success rates for hunters.
"Special hunt permits offer a chance to participate in a unique hunt while directly supporting conservation and management in Washington," said Anis Aoude, WDFW Game Division manager. "Our district biologists closely monitor the wildlife populations in their area, and we monitor permit numbers annually to support sustainable wildlife populations and recreational harvest opportunities."
Instructions and details on applying for special permit hunts are included in Washington state’s 2023 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet, available at https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02422.
To apply for a deer or elk special permit, hunters must first buy a hunting license and specify their tag choice, then apply with their preferred hunt choices. Applicants for mountain goat, moose and bighorn sheep do not need to buy a license before they apply.
Hunters can buy special hunt applications and hunting licenses from license vendors in-person at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, at a WDFW regional office or on the WDFW’s website. Hunters can also purchase a variety of general season licenses at these locations for hunting opportunities that do not require a special permit. Hunters must submit their special applications through the WDFW licensing website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/login.
Most special hunt permit applications cost $7.10 for residents, $110.50 for non-residents and $3.80 for youth under the age of 16. Resident applications for mountain goat, bighorn sheep ram, moose and “quality categories” for deer and elk cost $13.70.
Drawing results will be posted to applicants’ WILD accounts in June. Applicants with a valid email will also receive an email alert when the results are available.
