Multi-Season Permit clarification needed please!

[returnofsid]

I know there are at least a dozen threads regarding the Multi-Season Tag but I'm still all kinds of confused. This will only be my second year hunting, since about 1998, so I'm still learning about everything that's changed in the past 15+ years. I also plan to apply for some special hunts for deer/elk and second deer/second elk etc.  I'm completely unfamiliar with any of those special hunt opportunities since nothing of the sort existed back when I used to hunt.

I'll start by stating that ALL of my hunting will be done with a bow, regardless of what season I'm actually hunting, and all of my hunting will take place within the few units that make up the North East corner of the state.

So, I, along with everyone else who applied, was selected for a Multi-Season Deer Tag.  The 2014 Big Game Regulations became available, online, today.  In reading the regulations, I understand that I must surrender my Archery Season Deer tag and purchase the Multi-Season Deer Tag, in order to use the MS Deer Tag.  Last year, I purchased the Big Game package that included Deer+Elk+Bear+Cougar w/discounted Small game license.  This year, that same package is $117.50.  The Multi-Season Deer Tag costs $139.10.  Do I end up paying both FULL AMOUNTS or do I get some type of "refund" amount when I surrender my Archery Deer Tag? I just don't like the idea of actually buying a Deer tag, then surrendering it and buying another deer tag.

I'm looking at different options that might save some money.  I know that I'll absolutely not be cougar hunting and will most likely not bear hunt, though I suppose it'd be nice to have both tags in my wallet, "just in case" I happen to see one.  My priority will be Deer and Elk. 

Options I seem to think might save some money...

1.  Purchase the Elk w/discounted Small Game and then purchase Multi-Season Deer Tag.  This would cost $72.40 + $139.10

Okay, I guess that's the only option I see, other than purchasing the entire package and then surrendering the Archery deer tag and purchasing the Multi-Season deer tag.

Now for my next area of confusion, or needed advice.  Remember, all of my hunting will be done with a bow, regardless of the season, and all of my hunting will take place within the few units that make up the North East corner of the state.

Special Hunts?  From what I understand, purchasing the Multi-Season deer tag allows me to apply for special deer hunts in any season, instead of just Archery season.  Should this change the way I apply for special hunts for deer or elk, second deer or second elk?

Any and ALL advice, suggestions and/or remarks are gratefully welcomed!

[bobcat]

Think of it like this:  you pay for a deer "license." The tag is free. So you buy the multi season tag for $140 and return the free tag that they already gave you.

When applying for special permit hunts, just remember, you're still limited to only two choices on the quality deer application. So yes, you can apply for any hunt you want, but you have to narrow it down to only two.


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[snowpack]

Have you bought the combo (or any deer license) already?  If you don't have an archery tag already, you don't need to return anything. 
If you buy online the combo is 115.50 instead of 117.50.

[returnofsid]

Think of it like this:  you pay for a deer "license." The tag is free. So you buy the multi season tag for $140 and return the free tag that they already gave you.

When applying for special permit hunts, just remember, you're still limited to only two choices on the quality deer application. So yes, you can apply for any hunt you want, but you have to narrow it down to only two.


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See this is where most of my confusion is coming in...I think. Years ago, you'd buy a Hunting License, and tags for each species.  I don't think I'd be applying for anything "Quality."  I'll probably mainly apply for Second deer/Second elk opportunities.

Have you bought the combo (or any deer license) already?  If you don't have an archery tag already, you don't need to return anything. 
If you buy online the combo is 115.50 instead of 117.50.

No, I've not purchased anything yet.  So, I could opt to purchase the Elk + discounted Small game license for $72.40 + Multi-Season Deer tag for $139.10?  This option would save me approximately $45.00, instead of buying the entire package AND the Multi-Season Deer.

[CavemantheHunter]

Hey Bobcat,

So you're saying that with the multiseason elk you can still only apply for 2 different hunts on the quality permit app? Does the permit give us the ability to purchase  multiple quality hunt apps and then apply for them at each weapon type? It seems kind of misleading because the WDFW website says this:

"If you buy your Multiple Season tag before applying for deer or elk Special Permits, you also have more options. You can apply for any weapon type. You can also apply for both eastern and western Washington elk Special Permits, even on the same application. For example, you apply for a Bull Elk Special Permit with the following hunt choices:

      1. Western modern firearm
      2. Eastern archery
      3. Western muzzleloader

You could not submit these choices on a single Special Permit application without a Multiple Season tag.

If you're only allowed the traditional two choices, why are they showing the ability to apply for three different weapon types for one Bull Elk Special Permit app?

I too, just got drawn for my first multiseason elk permit and have a lot of special permit app points and want to use them to greatest advantage.

Thanks,

[vandeman17]

Hey Bobcat,

So you're saying that with the multiseason elk you can still only apply for 2 different hunts on the quality permit app? Does the permit give us the ability to purchase  multiple quality hunt apps and then apply for them at each weapon type? It seems kind of misleading because the WDFW website says this:

"If you buy your Multiple Season tag before applying for deer or elk Special Permits, you also have more options. You can apply for any weapon type. You can also apply for both eastern and western Washington elk Special Permits, even on the same application. For example, you apply for a Bull Elk Special Permit with the following hunt choices:

      1. Western modern firearm
      2. Eastern archery
      3. Western muzzleloader

You could not submit these choices on a single Special Permit application without a Multiple Season tag.

If you're only allowed the traditional two choices, why are they showing the ability to apply for three different weapon types for one Bull Elk Special Permit app?

I too, just got drawn for my first multiseason elk permit and have a lot of special permit app points and want to use them to greatest advantage.

Thanks,

Nope, still in quality you can only apply for two units. You can just choose from any of the weapons and east or west. They show the three choices just because there are three different weapon choices but still just two "hunt choices"

[bobcat]

The bull elk application does allow up to four choices. The quality application only allows two.


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[CavemantheHunter]

Roger that.

Thanks,

[snowpack]

Have you bought the combo (or any deer license) already?  If you don't have an archery tag already, you don't need to return anything. 
If you buy online the combo is 115.50 instead of 117.50.

No, I've not purchased anything yet.  So, I could opt to purchase the Elk + discounted Small game license for $72.40 + Multi-Season Deer tag for $139.10?  This option would save me approximately $45.00, instead of buying the entire package AND the Multi-Season Deer.

You're buying the permit, not the license or tag.  You still have to get a deer license.  You just don't have to designate a weapon on the tag.  It will say 'multi season' instead of archery on the tag. 
It looks like it is straight across reduced multi tag price for deer.
Think you would have to get:  Deer+Elk w/discounted small game  (104.50) + deer multi permit (138.60)

[returnofsid]

Have you bought the combo (or any deer license) already?  If you don't have an archery tag already, you don't need to return anything. 
If you buy online the combo is 115.50 instead of 117.50.

No, I've not purchased anything yet.  So, I could opt to purchase the Elk + discounted Small game license for $72.40 + Multi-Season Deer tag for $139.10?  This option would save me approximately $45.00, instead of buying the entire package AND the Multi-Season Deer.

You're buying the permit, not the license or tag.  You still have to get a deer license.  You just don't have to designate a weapon on the tag.  It will say 'multi season' instead of archery on the tag. 
It looks like it is straight across reduced multi tag price for deer.
Think you would have to get:  Deer+Elk w/discounted small game  (104.50) + deer multi permit (138.60)

Okay, I think I've got my mind wrapped around it now...maybe...

So, the combination actually consists of a "Deer Hunting License" w(free transport tag) + "Elk Hunting License" w(free transport tag) + Discounted Small game hunting license.   I would be surrendering the free Deer transport tag and purchasing the Multi-Season Deer tag...as bobcat originally explained...lol.  I guess I had to hear it a couple different ways, before I understood it.  Like I said, I'm so accustomed to the old system of buying a single Hunting License and then transport tags for each species.

[BKMFR]

Can you apply for different special deer hunts some in archery and some late season modern rifle?

[returnofsid]

Can you apply for different special deer hunts some in archery and some late season modern rifle?

From my understanding, yes, as long as you only apply for one permit per category, with the allotted number of choices on each permit. 

[TriggerMike]

This is a portion of the E Mail that we all received today regarding multi season tags.

"The cost of the multiple season Elk tag is $182.00, the multiple season deer tag is $139.10, this is in addition to your deer or elk license, for residents and nonresidents; this includes applicable fees.  If you have already purchased a license and have been issued a general tag, you must contact Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Licensing Department at (360) 902-2464 prior to purchasing the multiple season tag online or at a license dealer.  Business hours are Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m."

Bobcat hit the nail on the head.

[PA BEN]

Think of it like this:  you pay for a deer "license." The tag is free. So you buy the multi season tag for $140 and return the free tag that they already gave you.

When applying for special permit hunts, just remember, you're still limited to only two choices on the quality deer application. So yes, you can apply for any hunt you want, but you have to narrow it down to only two.


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Why only two?

[returnofsid]

Because in the Quality categories, you're only able to apply for 2.