Non resident hunters ed defferal

[scout88]

My girlfriend is an Oregon resident and wants to hunt in Washington with me this year but has not done hunters ed. I don't see anything in the regs about non residents applying so I am just wondering if anyone knows if this will be an issue or not being able to get her a deer tag this year. Any input would be much appreciated.

[csaaphill]

No I don't think so.... It's for only those who were born after a certain date. I think all she has to do is buy the out of state licenses' and tags and go.

[huntingfool7]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/he_deferral.html

**Hunter Education Training
Washington State requires all hunters born after January 1, 1972 to successfully complete hunter education training.  A hunter education deferral allows you to purchase a hunting license for one license year only.  If you obtain a deferral and wish to hunt in Washington State in future years, you must first successfully complete hunter education training.   

**HUNTER EDUCATION NOTICES
•   All Hunter Education training certification issued by any of the other 49 states fish and wildlife agencies are accepted here in Washington State. The certificate must be presented at time of license purchase.

If you are going the deferral route, get the ball rolling the earlier the better.  My understanding is that it can take a little time through the WDFW.  I doubt you can walk into Walmart and ask for a deferral. 

[ndcasla]

huntingfool7 is right, it takes about two weeks to get a reply from WDFW on a deferral license.
However, I believe the deferral license is for Washington State residents only.

[Bob33]

There is nothing in the WAC that requires the deferred hunter to be a resident.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-228

[jackmaster]

If your girlfriend has her social security card, birth cert and I can't remember what else you drive right to the oly office, I don't remember what bldg but she can leave with all her stuff the same day, you have just to have had hinted in this in this state for 5 years I believe, I took a kid and we had all his stuff within a couple hours, of course that was 5 years ago

[Rainier10]

Great information here already and I would stress the fact that you need to get rolling on this right away if you want her to hunt with you this year.  I would have thought it would take longer than two weeks to work through the process.  I don't know anybody that has done it. I was going to do it for my kid but there is a minimum age requirement and she was under the limit of 10 years old so we just took the class together.

Good luck and if you could follow up with how it worked and what the timeline was that would be helpful to others.

[Rainier10]

If your girlfriend has her social security card, birth cert and I can't remember what else you drive right to the oly office, I don't remember what bldg but she can leave with all her stuff the same day, you have just to have had hinted in this in this state for 5 years I believe, I took a kid and we had all his stuff within a couple hours, of course that was 5 years ago

Wow, that is awesome, never would have guessed that it could be done that quick.  Thanks for posting.

[scout88]

Thanks for all the great replies guys! I have taken a hunter on the deferral before but he was a resident and if I rememebr right it took between a week or two. I was just curious about a non resident. Her ex husband has all her personal docs and won't give them back. Heck, he probably burned them already anyways. We are submitting today and will update when we get a response. Again, thank you all.

[Bob33]

If your girlfriend has her social security card, birth cert and I can't remember what else you drive right to the oly office, I don't remember what bldg but she can leave with all her stuff the same day, you have just to have had hinted in this in this state for 5 years I believe, I took a kid and we had all his stuff within a couple hours, of course that was 5 years ago

Wow, that is awesome, never would have guessed that it could be done that quick.  Thanks for posting.

I would email the application, and would do so at least a couple weeks in advance to be safe.

Application Process


You may e-mail your completed application to: Deferral@dfw.wa.gov or mail it to: WDFW – Hunter Education 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia WA  98501-1091. Please note that the non-refundable $20 Deferral application fee, as well as license purchases can be made via telephone once the deferral has been approved. There is no need to appear in Olympia in person.  Once your Deferral application is approved you will receive an approval letter from the Hunter Education Division.  It's important that you read this information as it will explain how to pay the Deferral processing fee and purchase your hunting license.

[scout88]

Email is the route we are going! She has the paperwork filled out and is sending it today. Thanks!

[ndcasla]

Bob33, my error, sorry for any confusion or misdirection's caused.

[Bob33]

Bob33, my error, sorry for any confusion or misdirection's caused.

Not to worry! We all want the same thing which is to help out.

Thanks.

[scout88]

She sent in her application yesterday and received confirmation today that she has been approved. She paid her application fee today so all that is left is to purchase tags and license. If anyone in the future is thinking about going this route I would suggest doing email. Props to the state for the quick response. Thanks to everyone who had advice and input. Much appreciated.

[Bob33]

Congratulations. I hope you both have a great time and create wonderful memories. If she enjoys it, enroll her in a hunter education course so she can get permanently certified.

[scout88]

She is definitely already planning on hunters ed after the season and loves being in the woods and fishing. She loves shooting her cruzer and is already planning on customizing it to how she wants it. The rth package is a decent setup but she wants to make it her own which is exciting.

[Rainier10]

Congrats and thanks for posting the update. That was a quick turn around.  It's nice to hear when WDFW gets it right.

[scout88]

Congrats and thanks for posting the update. That was a quick turn around.  It's nice to hear when WDFW gets it right.

Thanks! I agree with the quick turnaround. Was expecting a week at the soonest.