Types of Elk Tags in Washington?? New to the state.

[WAnoob]

Hi, I'm new to the state I just recently moved to Bellingham last month. I'm looking to do some elk hunting this upcoming season, I looked at regulations online and it seemed overwhelming. My gut feeling to go talk to fish and game is the same as it was else where (not helpful). I was born and raised in Anchorage/Eagle River Alaska and we either had OTC tags, registration hunts or Draw permits only, which were essentially lottery tags and no money was returned if a tag was not drawn. I'm just looking for a little insight please, looking to hunt public lands without having to draw a special tag for this season. Any basic ground work for the way Washington tag systems work would be greatly appreciated.

I'm new to the forum as well and have been using the "search" function . But I just would please like to be pointed in a general direction before I start planning a hunt. I have no preference hunting in the Eastern or Western part of the state, preferably Eastern part of the state due to the terrain if possible. Just to clarify so I'm not offensive I am not looking for any honey holes, just general areas and public land regulation information.


Thanks,

Randy

[JimmyHoffa]

Most tags are OTC tags.  A few people will get incentive tags or raffle tags.
You can get an OTC tag for your weapon choice and side of the state choice. (modern, archery, muzzy--eastside, westside)
Once you have an OTC tag you can apply for special permits to 'enhance' your tag. (multi, quality bull, bull, antlerless, etc)
'

[jackelope]

Elk tags are over the counter. If you're hunting modern firearm on the east side, you'll be hunting for spike bulls only unless you go to the northeast corner but that's a whole different ball game. Central cascades around ellensburg or Yakima and you're in the ballpark. You wont be alone.

[trophyhunt]

West side, OTC mostly 3 point or better for bulls.  East side mostly spike only, more free access on the east side. Lot's of passes to access land to buy on the west side.  Best tags for big bulls are on the east side but you must draw the tag.  The points for drawing a tag is another subject.

[WAnoob]

Appreciate the insight guys. Sounds like lots of hunting pressure on public land.....May be an odd question but can I just buy tags at Walmart or sporting goods stores? Alaska was this way in most places and draw tags were online. Then after purchasing the tags would I apply for the improved tags online or at the same place?

[benhuntin]

Buy your regular tags at any sporting goods store and put in for draw tags before May 22ish


If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[Bob33]

Get off to a good start by understanding that tags and permits are not the same. Many people use the terms interchangeably.

For elk, everyone must have a tag to hunt. Tags are purchased OTC. Permits are awarded via drawings. They allow special hunting privileges. The best permits have low draw odds: some under one percent.

If you do not draw a permit you can hunt the general seasons. They are usually crowded but with some effort you can greatly diminish the competition.

The permit drawings occur in the April-May time frame.

This site is a good resource for any questions you may have.

[WAnoob]

Appreciate it Bob33. Sorry if my terminology was mixed up. In Alaska you could acquire regular harvest tags for general seasons or separately put in for special draw permits for certain areas of the state and you would not need a general tag if you were lucky enough to draw a lottery tag.

That's why I joined the forum, I've been lurking for a couple months and seems like a great site.

[Wose]

Hey man,

If you haven't had a chance to look at it, you may want to download the "Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules Pamphlet" from here:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/] [url]http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/[/url]

That's for last year, as the new one isn't out yet, but it will give you the gist of things.

If you decide you want to start fishing, good luck. Everytime I sit down to read the fishing rules I get a migraine.

[WAnoob]

I just actually picked up some reg books for hunting and fishing today at Fred Meyers, I share your pain...

[pilebuck]

Rather get the regs in magazine form hate the computer layout loll old school I guess sometimes u need a Chicago lawyer to figure alot of the special hunts and raffles 

[Wose]

I just actually picked up some reg books for hunting and fishing today at Fred Meyers, I share your pain...

Yeah.

Coming from Alaska, you may be a little disappointed in the hunting here. But if you do get something, it's quite the accomplishment.

I came from Kentucky, where you could kill up to 4 deer a year, and you could hunt all the different weapons choices. You can actually kill an unlimited number of does in a year in some zones. Of course there was very little public land in KY.  Here there is lots of public land, but much more restrictive hunting.

Stuff you might want to look out for:

1) Check your residency requirement. I think it's 60 days? Make sure you get you establish legal residency (driver's license or whatever) far enough in advance so you don't' have to make a choice between buying out of state licenses, or not hunting. The out of state fees will probably require selling a kidney.

2) If you are younger than a certain age ( I believe born after January 1972, check for sure) you have to have a hunters safety card. You can do most of the coursework online (in your sleep) and go to a single field day event to get the card.  They fill up quick close to hunting season so I'd start soon if you need it.

Good luck and welcome to Washington.

David

[WAnoob]

Thanks David,

The hunting definitely seems different down here. I've been eager to shoot an elk for sometime now. Do you know if a Alaska Hunter Ed card would suffice? I'm almost 27 and would hate to have to pay for another one but I would if need be. I already got a drivers license and residency established I'm glad to hear that it may only take 60 days for resident licenses as the out of state ones for elk run near $500 I believe. Alaska hunting did vary though, like blacktail hunting on Kodiak Island the season was 2 or 3 months if I remember correctly and you could shoot any deer for a total of three. But some areas for moose hunting they had the brow tine or size requirements so high for some areas it was very rare to see any of that size in that specific area, But this is mostly due to overhunting from the early 80's to the late 90's. I remember my dad telling me about sheep hunting in Alaska back in the 70's were you could basically walk a few miles and bag a nice full curl ram and now its to the point where you have to fly in remote locations and walk for 20+ miles just to hopefully get a crack at a full curl or just see a sub par legal one.

Randy

[Eli346]

 I believe the hunter's ed cards are transferable between states so you should be good to go in most. It will be a lot more crowded down here than you've been used to, that's a guarantee. Sometimes that can work in your favor by checking out the hardest to reach places on Google Earth. The more people there are hunting the deeper and darker you want to go. Let them do the pushing while you do the quiet still hunting or waiting. As you narrow down your choices of areas to hunt start doing searches on this site and others for info. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck!