How long are points good for?

[Branden]

I moved out of state and am not going to be a resident this year. Its pretty expensive to apply for different species as a non res. Do your points go back to zero in Washington after not applying after a few years? I couldn't find the info in the regs. Thanks, Branden

[Bob33]

They are valid forever.

[Blacktail Sniper]

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WDFW Help Home > Hunting > Special Hunt Permits
WDFW Help Home > Hunting > Special Hunt Permits > Special Hunt Permits & the Weighted Point System

Will I lose all my Special Permit points if I do not buy an application this year?

No. You do not lose your points for not buying or applying each year. Points never expire. Your Special Permit points return to zero when drawn, but only for that category. Your other points remain and carry over.

Keep in mind that you only earn points by buying applications each year. You earn one point for each Special Permit application you buy. You can buy one application for each category each year.

[Branden]

Thanks a lot. Sucks to not be able to keep applying but it would cost as much just to apply for Washington as the 10 other states I apply for put together.

[Curly]

Points are valid until wdfw changes the system.   But with that said,  the likelihood of them changing it again is slim.  I hope that one day they will eliminate the point system but I won't be holding my breath.

[pd]

Points are valid until wdfw changes the system.   But with that said,  the likelihood of them changing it again is slim.  I hope that one day they will eliminate the point system but I won't be holding my breath.

I agree.  The current point system has a shelf life, and the day will come when it will be time to retire it.  I suspect that day is not too far away.  As has been pointed out here many times before, those of you who have the maximum points (currently 17 or so) are actually at a statistical disadvantage to those behind you in the queue.

I will go out on a limb and say an "Idaho-style" draw system will come here someday, and all of those banked points will be for naught.

[Bullkllr]

Define "valid"...

[Bob33]

Define "valid"...

If you are eligible they can be used.

[jackmaster]

Thanks a lot. Sucks to not be able to keep applying but it would cost as much just to apply for Washington as the 10 other states I apply for put together.

i dont know how much it is but i think even if your out of state you can still get a ghost point while your gone, might help your chances for when you return

[bobcat]

Thanks a lot. Sucks to not be able to keep applying but it would cost as much just to apply for Washington as the 10 other states I apply for put together.

i dont know how much it is but i think even if your out of state you can still get a ghost point while your gone, might help your chances for when you return

He would have to buy his deer/elk license first, for $739.   

[jackmaster]

Thanks a lot. Sucks to not be able to keep applying but it would cost as much just to apply for Washington as the 10 other states I apply for put together.

i dont know how much it is but i think even if your out of state you can still get a ghost point while your gone, might help your chances for when you return

He would have to buy his deer/elk license first, for $739.   

scratch that, holy crap  thats nuts...