New hunter to washington, needs help understanding how to get hunting license.

[chester]

Ok, so the story is that I have a friend who was stationed at JBLM 2yrs ago. He will be getting out of the army this summer and is wanting to try to do some bear hunting. He cant seem to get a straight answer out of WDFW as to what he needs to have in order to purchase a license in this state. He completed a hunter ed class in his home state of texas.
Does he just need to provide an old license from texas? or hunter ed card? Can this be done at a license dealer or does he have to travel to Olympia? I've been trying to help him but I'm out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure somebody on here has had to do this before.

[northwesthunter84]

Well I too am a transplant.  First off it is as simple as using the hunters ed card from Texas.  Where it gets tricky is the fact that he is getting out prior to the season.  If he is planning on staying here in Washington thats easy then he is a resident.  If he is like me however I will be changing my residence to Washington from IL.

[chester]

He plans to stay. So he just shows that to the dealer?


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[bobcat]

I believe he will need to show proof of having completed a hunter education course when he buys his license. So yes, the hunters ed card from Texas will work just fine, if he has one. He shouldn't have to go to Olympia. Any license dealer should be able to handle it.

[chester]

Thanks for the info. I told him to see if his parents can mail him his card.


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[Bob33]

I believe he will need to show proof of having completed a hunter education course when he buys his license. So yes, the hunters ed card from Texas will work just fine, if he has one. He shouldn't have to go to Olympia. Any license dealer should be able to handle it.

Bobcat is correct on all counts. He must take proof of hunter education to a license dealer in Washington the first time he purchases a license. Reciprocity exists with all states so a Texas hunter education card is valid in Washington.

[Bofire]

Does he or will he have a washington driver license? that and hunter ed card should seal the deal.
Carl

[chester]

I believe so, he already has a resident fishing license. So proof of residency isn't an issue. He just has to provide proof of hunters ed completion.


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[Special T]

Have him buy his small game Bear Lic NOW while he is still active Military... Then when if he wants to add anything its will be easy. Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

[JLS]

Have him buy his small game Bear Lic NOW while he is still active Military... Then when if he wants to add anything its will be easy. Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

How will this make it easier?  He still has to have his hunter ed card.

[chester]

JLS said it, it won't give him the option to buy it right now. That was attempted and that's how we realized the issue.


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[JLS]

Does Texas allow him to look up his hunter ed # online?

[chester]

That is an excellent question. I'll shoot him a text.


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[Special T]

Any Stationed military member is automatically a resident. If he is "Retired" he has to be a resident X amount of time. If he buys it while active all he has to do is show his military ID and he's golden.

[Bob33]

Residency defined.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-55-061