New Hunter moving to Washington State

[masonkarr90]

Hello Everyone,

I am moving to Washington State in July to recruit for the Navy in My wife's hometown of Vancouver and I have a few questions. I have never hunted public land in the west before and I am wondering how it works. Is there designated units or areas and is there a permit required? If i want to hunt for elk or mule deer what is the process to getting a tag? Do i get a tag issued when i purchase my license or do i have to enter a draw to land an elk tag?  I am from Texas so all of this is new to me. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[bkaech]

To purchase a hunting lisc you need to have passed a hunter education course at some point in your life. Being new to the state I recommend taking this class and the instructors can help you decifer the hunting regs. They are overly complicated and take some time to grasp. Washington Dept. of Fish and wildlife issues hunting licenses and sets regulations, check out there website.

When you buy a license you can buy tags for whichever animals you want to hunt. Both deer and elk you have to chose your weapon choice when you buy the tag. For elk you have to also chose west or east side of the state. From there you have to check the hunting regs for dates and regulations for whatever GMU (game management unit) you want to hunt it.

[bearpaw]

You can buy a deer and/or elk tag/license over the counter at any license dealer or online. https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/#/login
Hunter Ed from any state is required if born after Jan 1, 1972. If you had hunter ed in texas you just need the number.
For elk and deer you will need to specify if you want to hunt archery, rifle, or muzzlelloader when buying the tag and can only hunt the weapon seasons you choose.
With elk you also have to specify western or eastern Washington and can only hunt that respective part of the state that you choose.

To Go Hunting
Nothing other than a hunting license is required on US Forest service lands. To hunt state lands you will need a Discover Pass ($I think it's $35). To hunt most lands in western WA owned by timber companies you must buy a pass from that company if they are available. Probably the best thing you could do is get a subscription to Onx maps, that shows property ownership all over the state. They have an option for your computer and/or smart phone. If hunting USFS lands, get a map for the forest you will be hunting so you know which roads are open for travel.

Onx Maps: https://www.onxmaps.com/
Hunting regulations: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/
GMU Map: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/gmu/2017-2018_gmus.pdf

The state is divided up by Game Management Units (GMU's), look in the regulations to see which GMU's are open to general season tags that you buy over the counter.
Some GMU's are only open to draw permits and a few units and all Indian rservations and Parks are closed, you will know when you look in the seasons and regulations which gmu's are open to hunting. Study maps to determine which GMU you want to hunt and double check the regulations, or ask in this topic which gmu you want to hunt and someone will probably advise if it's open to general season hunting.

[Mfowl]

Welcome to Wa! You can buy a general over the counter license which includes your tag. Your license must reflect the tag(s) you want, deer, elk, bear etc. The state is broken up in to GMU's and seasons vary between them but there is for the most part opporunity in nearly all of them. There are general seasons that an OTC license allows you to hunt. They are divided by weapon types and your tag will be specific to the weapon type/season you choose. A deer tag will allow you to hunt the whole state but elk is divided by east and west. If you want to hunt close to Vancouver you will need a westside elk tag. Land access is a bit of a pain in Western Wa due to timber company lands that may require a paid access permit but there is also state and NF lands. It just takes time and some research to identify what is what. General seasons are most often crowded especially during modern firearm. There are also lottery or draw hunts that must be applied for. They offer a range of timing and limited hunter access to provide a better hunt experience or improved odds of success. Some tags are easier to get than others, the best ones are hard to get. Best bet is to get a paper copy of the regs and read it thuroughly. Also study up on the WDFW website. They try to provide tools and info to make it easier to find and understand places to hunt. OnX Maps is also a tremendously useful tool, either on a GPS or your phone.

[bearpaw]

Another great tool is the satellite view available on google maps.
Zoom In As Needed:  https://www.google.com/maps/@47.212097,-121.3789431,440297m/data=!3m1!1e3

[boneaddict]

Welcome  to the site and to the state. 

[Widgeondeke]

All of the above is good info and this site has tons of helpful information

Being a veteran or active duty,  another great source for info or finding guys to hunt/fish/scout,, etc with is The Fallen Outdoors. Look em up on facebook.
Thank you for your service brother 

[Odell]

Good luck! It can be a fun state but also frustrating. Let me know if you have any interest in duck hunting and I'll take you out in December or January.

[Elkcollector82]

Welcome to Washington. Everything mentioned is great. If you plan on spending anytime in national forest hunting or other recreational activity. I would look into a northwest forest pass also. Those go for $30. You gotta look up dealers or order online. Good luck and welcome. 

[4fletch]

Also Bear and cougar are abundant in the state

[pianoman9701]

I live in the Couve. Hit me up with a PM when you get here. We can get together and I can show you how to decipher the regs firsthand. Squids always buy the first beer when seeking hunting help (Go Army)!  Thanks for your service and let me know.

[yakimanoob]

Welcome to Washington!  I moved up from Alabama a few years ago.  You'll love it . 

[JWEBB]

Welcome neighbor! Pm me for specifics

[jagermiester]

Do you bird hunt at all? If you do I would suggest that you spread your wings on the east side chasing huns quail or chukar. Don’t go to the same place twice, no matter how good a spot you find. You will have plenty of places to hunt for mule  deer and elk before you know it. Welcome to a ton of public wild and free spaces. PM me when you get here and I’ll steer you into some cool places.

[nwwanderer]

About 25% of the state is fed/state owned, very different than Texas.  Lots of options and great help on this site, welcome