Regulations question

[Bushwhack Jack]

Hello,

I am a new here.  I am actually a resident of Alaska and I am active member of the Alaska Outdoor Forum.  Anyhow, I have a couple questions I was hoping someone here might be able to answer.  My step son lives down in Kennewick Washington.  He is new to hunting and he would like me to come down and help him try to hunt for elk in Washington.  Anyhow, I am not familiar with your state at all and I am trying to read through the regulations to figure stuff out.  I was wondering if I could get some help.  First of all, if I would like to come down to hunt with him, do I have to pay the $497 nonresident license fee just to apply for an elk permit?  Is there no such thing as a simple over the counter tag for elk in your state?

Second, where I am from, the road system is limited, so most guys either use an ATV, plane, horse, or boat to access their hunting grounds.  Most of the time I hunt with my boat.  I boat into an area that is prime habitat, set up camp, and hunt.  I am wondering if this is similar in your state.  What is the best method to use for accessing good hunting locations?  I am not asking for anybody's hunting locations.  Just some advice on where to get started.  If I am going to pay the $497 just to get a license, I want to make sure I am not wasting my time. 

Since I am a non-resident, what do you suggest I do to access good hunting territory?  Are horses or ATV's available for rent?  Are there drop-off services available.  I do not want to pay a guide.  I am merely inquiring about different means of transportation. 

And last of all, what time of the year do you recommend for elk hunting.  In other words, when is the prime time to go?  In Alaska most of our hunting takes place in the months of August and September, but if I had to pick a 1-2 week period of time to go, I would probably pick the last 2 weeks of the season in the end of September.  This is when the bull moose and caribou are really active and starting their rutting periods.  For Dall sheep I would go the first couple weeks of the season in August, because the snow starts to fly in September making the hunting much more difficult.  So when should I come to hunt elk.  Thanks in advance for any help anyone offers.  If you ever need advice for hunting in Alaska, look me up on the Alaska Outdoor Forum under the same name (Bushwhack Jack).  I used to be a hunting guide up here in AK. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Yes, tags are over the counter.  To get a special permit, you would need a tag.  The tag is like cake, and the permit is like icing.  You can hunt with a tag, but would be limited to general seasons and regs--permits allow you different seasons or animals.  Ex--could take a big bull with a permit in a special season (rut) vs a spike in a season with a ton of other hunters.

[Bob33]

Hello,

I am a new here.  I am actually a resident of Alaska and I am active member of the Alaska Outdoor Forum.  Anyhow, I have a couple questions I was hoping someone here might be able to answer.  My step son lives down in Kennewick Washington.  He is new to hunting and he would like me to come down and help him try to hunt for elk in Washington.  Anyhow, I am not familiar with your state at all and I am trying to read through the regulations to figure stuff out.  I was wondering if I could get some help.  First of all, if I would like to come down to hunt with him, do I have to pay the $497 nonresident license fee just to apply for an elk permit?  Is there no such thing as a simple over the counter tag for elk in your state?

Second, where I am from, the road system is limited, so most guys either use an ATV, plane, horse, or boat to access their hunting grounds.  Most of the time I hunt with my boat.  I boat into an area that is prime habitat, set up camp, and hunt.  I am wondering if this is similar in your state.  What is the best method to use for accessing good hunting locations?  I am not asking for anybody's hunting locations.  Just some advice on where to get started.  If I am going to pay the $497 just to get a license, I want to make sure I am not wasting my time. 

Since I am a non-resident, what do you suggest I do to access good hunting territory?  Are horses or ATV's available for rent?  Are there drop-off services available.  I do not want to pay a guide.  I am merely inquiring about different means of transportation. 

And last of all, what time of the year do you recommend for elk hunting.  In other words, when is the prime time to go?  In Alaska most of our hunting takes place in the months of August and September, but if I had to pick a 1-2 week period of time to go, I would probably pick the last 2 weeks of the season in the end of September.  This is when the bull moose and caribou are really active and starting their rutting periods.  For Dall sheep I would go the first couple weeks of the season in August, because the snow starts to fly in September making the hunting much more difficult.  So when should I come to hunt elk.  Thanks in advance for any help anyone offers.  If you ever need advice for hunting in Alaska, look me up on the Alaska Outdoor Forum under the same name (Bushwhack Jack).  I used to be a hunting guide up here in AK.

You must purchase a license to apply for special permits. You don't need to apply for special permits in order to hunt. Yes, there are "over the counter" elk tags that are valid in general seasons.

Most areas have road access. Your success will generally increase the further you get from roads. Walking is the best way to avoid other hunters. In areas that allow ATV access you'll have plenty of company.

"Accessing good hunt locations" is a difficult question to answer. There are numerous elk herds in the state. They are a highly sought after specie. There are no "easy" elk hunts unless you have access to private land. If you spend time on this forum and read through the elk threads, you'll get a pretty good idea of the better areas. Remember that in Washington you must select your hunting method (Modern, Archery, or Muzzleloader) as well as Eastern or Western Washington when purchasing a tag.

General elk seasons are in the months of September through early November in most areas. Archery seasons start first followed by muzzleloader and then modern.

Best of luck to you, and welcome to our forum

[Bushwhack Jack]

Yes, tags are over the counter.  To get a special permit, you would need a tag.  The tag is like cake, and the permit is like icing.  You can hunt with a tag, but would be limited to general seasons and regs--permits allow you different seasons or animals.  Ex--could take a big bull with a permit in a special season (rut) vs a spike in a season with a ton of other hunters.

Great.  Thanks Jimmy Hoffa.  So what page in your regs talks specifically about your general seasons and tags?  And which pages refer to the special permits?  In my state a tag is a drawing permit.  For general season you don't need any tags at all.  All you need is your license and a harvest ticket to report if you were successful or not.  How much do general season tags cost and how much do special permits cost?  Thanks again. 

[RB]

Hello and welcome to the site,

You will have to choose sides of the state and weapon to hunt Elk in Washington. Also you will have to buy a license prior to applying for special permit, or buying a over the counter Elk tag, which there are point restrictions on both sides of the state.

 Eastern Washington where your son lives is Spike only for general season OTC tags and depending on weapon you will be limited to 7-12 days roughly. Modern Firearm this year was October 25 to November 2 and that is it! There are other variations but not much. Early Archery was from September 2 to September 14 and late Archery is only in a few areas and varies on dates and runs about the same amount of days (still just a generalization just to give you a feel of dates). Muzzleloader ran from October 4 to October 10 and just a few areas open for late season.

West side Elk is three point minimum and a lot of the good areas are on timber company land and you will have to pay a fee up to $150 or more to access. Modern firearm went from November 1 to November 12 thats it! Archery September 2 to September 14 and Muzzleloader went from October 4 to October 10.

There are tons of restrictions on using ATVs and road restrictions for vehicles. One of the best places to start would be going to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website and check it out.

www.WDFW.wa.gov

Best of luck and hope you get to hunt with your son   

[Bob33]

Yes, tags are over the counter.  To get a special permit, you would need a tag.  The tag is like cake, and the permit is like icing.  You can hunt with a tag, but would be limited to general seasons and regs--permits allow you different seasons or animals.  Ex--could take a big bull with a permit in a special season (rut) vs a spike in a season with a ton of other hunters.

Great.  Thanks Jimmy Hoffa.  So what page in your regs talks specifically about your general seasons and tags?  And which pages refer to the special permits?  In my state a tag is a drawing permit.  For general season you don't need any tags at all.  All you need is your license and a harvest ticket to report if you were successful or not.  How much do general season tags cost and how much do special permits cost?  Thanks again.

Tags and permits are different in Washington. Everyone needs a tag to hunt. Permits are allotted by a drawing in the spring and provide special hunting privileges not available to everyone.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01589/wdfw01589.pdf

[Bushwhack Jack]

Hello,

I am a new here.  I am actually a resident of Alaska and I am active member of the Alaska Outdoor Forum.  Anyhow, I have a couple questions I was hoping someone here might be able to answer.  My step son lives down in Kennewick Washington.  He is new to hunting and he would like me to come down and help him try to hunt for elk in Washington.  Anyhow, I am not familiar with your state at all and I am trying to read through the regulations to figure stuff out.  I was wondering if I could get some help.  First of all, if I would like to come down to hunt with him, do I have to pay the $497 nonresident license fee just to apply for an elk permit?  Is there no such thing as a simple over the counter tag for elk in your state?

Second, where I am from, the road system is limited, so most guys either use an ATV, plane, horse, or boat to access their hunting grounds.  Most of the time I hunt with my boat.  I boat into an area that is prime habitat, set up camp, and hunt.  I am wondering if this is similar in your state.  What is the best method to use for accessing good hunting locations?  I am not asking for anybody's hunting locations.  Just some advice on where to get started.  If I am going to pay the $497 just to get a license, I want to make sure I am not wasting my time. 

Since I am a non-resident, what do you suggest I do to access good hunting territory?  Are horses or ATV's available for rent?  Are there drop-off services available.  I do not want to pay a guide.  I am merely inquiring about different means of transportation. 

And last of all, what time of the year do you recommend for elk hunting.  In other words, when is the prime time to go?  In Alaska most of our hunting takes place in the months of August and September, but if I had to pick a 1-2 week period of time to go, I would probably pick the last 2 weeks of the season in the end of September.  This is when the bull moose and caribou are really active and starting their rutting periods.  For Dall sheep I would go the first couple weeks of the season in August, because the snow starts to fly in September making the hunting much more difficult.  So when should I come to hunt elk.  Thanks in advance for any help anyone offers.  If you ever need advice for hunting in Alaska, look me up on the Alaska Outdoor Forum under the same name (Bushwhack Jack).  I used to be a hunting guide up here in AK.

You must purchase a license to apply for special permits. You don't need to apply for special permits in order to hunt. Yes, there are "over the counter" elk tags that are valid in general seasons.

Most areas have road access. Your success will generally increase the further you get from roads. Walking is the best way to avoid other hunters. In areas that allow ATV access you'll have plenty of company.

"Accessing good hunt locations" is a difficult question to answer. There are numerous elk herds in the state. They are a highly sought after specie. There are no "easy" elk hunts unless you have access to private land. If you spend time on this forum and read through the elk threads, you'll get a pretty good idea of the better areas. Remember that in Washington you must select your hunting method (Modern, Archery, or Muzzleloader) as well as Eastern or Western Washington when purchasing a tag.

General elk seasons are in the months of September through early November in most areas. Archery seasons start first followed by muzzleloader and then modern.

Best of luck to you, and welcome to our forum

Thanks to you too Bob33.  I'll ask you the same question I asked Jimmy Hoffa.  What pages of the regs talk specifically about the general season for elk and which pages are referring to the special permits?  I tried sorting through it but I found it very confusing.  As I said before in my state, tags are drawing permits.  You don't need tags to hunt general season.  Thanks.

[bobcat]

You buy your elk license for $497, and with that license you also get your tag. The application for a special permit is $6 for residents. I'm not sure what it is for non residents, but I think about $50.

[RB]

Page 45-48 for general info on dates 49-58 is description of areas for special permit.

[JimmyHoffa]

Try page 44-48 for general season info.
1) What kind of weapon are you wanting to use?
2) What side of the state? (Dry, open eastside or rainy, forested westside)

[Bushwhack Jack]

Hello and welcome to the site,

You will have to choose sides of the state and weapon to hunt Elk in Washington. Also you will have to buy a license prior to applying for special permit, or buying a over the counter Elk tag, which there are point restrictions on both sides of the state.

 Eastern Washington where your son lives is Spike only for general season OTC tags and depending on weapon you will be limited to 7-12 days roughly. Modern Firearm this year was October 25 to November 2 and that is it! There are other variations but not much. Early Archery was from September 2 to September 14 and late Archery is only in a few areas and varies on dates and runs about the same amount of days (still just a generalization just to give you a feel of dates). Muzzleloader ran from October 4 to October 10 and just a few areas open for late season.

West side Elk is three point minimum and a lot of the good areas are on timber company land and you will have to pay a fee up to $150 or more to access. Modern firearm went from November 1 to November 12 thats it! Archery September 2 to September 14 and Muzzleloader went from October 4 to October 10.

There are tons of restrictions on using ATVs and road restrictions for vehicles. One of the best places to start would be going to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website and check it out.

www.WDFW.wa.gov

Best of luck and hope you get to hunt with your son   

Hey,

Thanks RB.  Wow, I am very impressed with this site.  I've only been logged on for about an hour and I've already gotten so many helpful responses.  I am very appreciative to all for your knowledge and advice.

[Bushwhack Jack]

Try page 44-48 for general season info.
1) What kind of weapon are you wanting to use?
2) What side of the state? (Dry, open eastside or rainy, forested westside)

Great.  Thanks for the page reference.  I will be either using my bow or rifle.  My step son is just getting started he will be using a rifle.  Not sure about what part of the state yet.  I still need to do some more homework.  I might try calling Washington Fish and Game and talk to them a little first.

[RB]

If you get a chance post some pictures of Alaska and game you have taken 

[Bushwhack Jack]

If you get a chance post some pictures of Alaska and game you have taken 

Sure, I'll try.  That's the least I can do.  Here's a few.

[JimmyHoffa]

Just because a general season says one method type, it might be possible to use a different weapon.  Ex: during modern you can use any legal method, muzzleloader is muzzleloader and archery, archery is archery only.  You can put in for a multi-season permit without purchasing a tag, but that comes earlier than tags go on sale.  It allows you to hunt all three general seasons and both sides of the state.