WDFW extends special hunt application submission deadline to May 27

[Bob33]

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has extended this year’s special hunt application submission deadline by one week to May 27 following an unexpected delay in the availability of physical copies of this year’s big game hunting regulations.

“Unfortunately, a shipping delay meant hard-copy regulations arrived to WDFW and were made available to hunters about one week later than we expected,” explained Anis Aoude, WDFW game division manager. “We know that many hunters really value using the physical copy of the regulations when making their hunt choices, so we chose to extend the submission deadline to give these hunters more time to make their selections with the physical copy of the pamphlet in hand.”

Hunters can pick up physical copies of the 2026 Washington Big Game Hunting Regulations at WDFW offices and license dealer locations. Please call your local license dealer or WDFW office ahead of time to inquire about availability; regulations are currently being delivered across the state.

Hunters with a special hunt permit receive the opportunity to hunt at special times or places authorized by that permit. This can often result in fewer crowds and higher success rates for hunters. Instructions and details on applying for special hunt permits are available in Washington’s big game hunting regulations pamphlet. Hunters can also learn more about special hunt permits, how the draw works, and how to apply by watching WDFW’s special hunt permit video and visiting MyWDFW.org.

Special hunt drawing results will be posted to applicants’ WILD accounts in June. Applicants with a valid email will also receive an email alert when the results are available.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

[Kingofthemountain83]

So the regs still might come out a week before the deadline...       

[Brotherman]

No Reg's at Sportsman's as of an hour ago!

[bearpaw]

The only place to currently see the regs is online.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/02706/wdfw02706.pdf

[Kingofthemountain83]

No Reg's at Sportsman's as of an hour ago!

Or Bass Pro!

[Kingofthemountain83]

A lady made a FB post with them... But she's not saying the location she got them as of yet...

[Kingofthemountain83]

She got them at the Olympia office...

[Fidelk]

Same BS as last year.

[str8meat]

Are we really surprised?

[high_hunter]

Printed regs are available at my local chamber as of this afternoon.

They did have to stop printing on the waterproof paper but have a bunch leftover.....

[muleyslayer]

 

[Ridgerunner]

Definity frustrating.  You would think you would have your vender all lined up to go before they published them online so they could be finished sooner then now.  Hopefully a few other states will post results before the 27th. 

[Bob33]

In a few years when they stop printing regulations they will say it's because hunters don't use them anymore.

[Ghost Hunter]

In a few years when they stop printing regulations they will say it's because hunters don't use them anymore.

A few years?  Glass half full kind of guy?  LOL

[D-Rock425]

I found a set yesterday at sportsmans warehouse in Everett yesterday.

[KNOPHISH]

YGBFSM

[bigtex]

In a few years when they stop printing regulations they will say it's because hunters don't use them anymore.

California stopped printing hunting and fishing reg books 5 years ago. It's a go digital or get passed up world unfortunately.

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

[Bob33]

In a few years when they stop printing regulations they will say it's because hunters don't use them anymore.

California stopped printing hunting and fishing reg books 5 years ago. It's a go digital or get passed up world unfortunately.

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

Except that WDFW is using the excuse of no paper regulations to extend the deadline.

[JBar]

And we all know WA’s goal is to be just like or worse than California!!!

[Kingofthemountain83]

In a few years when they stop printing regulations they will say it's because hunters don't use them anymore.

California stopped printing hunting and fishing reg books 5 years ago. It's a go digital or get passed up world unfortunately.

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

This is exactly the case... We're little Cali... Following in the footsteps...

[trophyhunt]

People bitch and moan About not having the paper regs so they extend the deadline, so damn stupid.   It’s like this state starts over every year when it comes to hunting regs and drawings, other states have firm deadlines and seem to never have the problems wa has. Ridiculous

[westside bull]

In the perfect world the head of WDFW should be fired

[MR5x5]

...don't they advise that the "current" regs are located on line and not to go off the paper regs?

[HntnFsh]

In the perfect world the head of WDFW should be fired

I would not want that to happen in Washington! Would be bad for sportsmen.

[KNOPHISH]

They’ll probably push the drawing date also.

[huntingfool7]

People bitch and moan About not having the paper regs so they extend the deadline, so damn stupid.   It’s like this state starts over every year when it comes to hunting regs and drawings, other states have firm deadlines and seem to never have the problems wa has. Ridiculous

They have to fiddle with the regs every year to make it look like they do something.  Bunch of blunt turds fine tuning the hole.

[furbearer365]

I've never bought my stuff online, always at a store.  So I just bought everything, submitted my specials hunts and everything went through. So will they now mail me all my tags and licenses??

[bigdub257]

People bitch and moan About not having the paper regs so they extend the deadline, so damn stupid.   It’s like this state starts over every year when it comes to hunting regs and drawings, other states have firm deadlines and seem to never have the problems wa has. Ridiculous

Amazing how the .01% always gets the most attention.  I bet they figured out how to email WDFW and complain. The deadline should be the deadline.  If you can't figure it out get some help!

[scottfrick]

People bitch and moan About not having the paper regs so they extend the deadline, so damn stupid.   It’s like this state starts over every year when it comes to hunting regs and drawings, other states have firm deadlines and seem to never have the problems wa has. Ridiculous

💯 and the same people that bitched will be the same ones complaining mid June when the draws haven’t happened yet! It’s not difficult to find the regulations online, they’ve been out since when? Early April? No reason to need them to apply for special hunts. The only good thing the paper regs provide is something to keep in your truck and trailer when afield. Other than that deadlines are deadlines 

[Kingofthemountain83]

You may not believe this... But I know people who are still active in life, successful, and retired... Who hunt and fish... That don't own a smart phone, computer or, lap top... House phone and flip cell phone... They had to go the their kids and start an email and if they need to use the computer to do this special permit submits... So it's a huge inconvenience to do this and go all digital to them... I don't understand why anyone is blaming anybody except the WDFW... They all year to write and print new regs... And they can't even get them done before a deadline they scheduled... You all are mad at the wrong people...   

[ctwiggs1]

I think this is great.  I don’t let my kids have unfiltered internet access so the only way they’ll dive into the Regs is with the paper copy.  Good move WDFE

[adamR]

I get it. I don't let my kids have unfiltered internet access either, I hate the digital world, and I also know people who have chosen to not stay current with the times.

All that being said, the game department gave us the information a month ago; you made the choice not to download the pdf for your kids, others made the choice to avoid the digital world, and others are just too lazy to find a solution. None of those reasons should result in an extension. The world is soft; they gave us a date, they should stick to that date.

In my opinion, this has nothing to do with them doing you a favor because they were too incompetent to get the printed regs out on time. Between the price increase in tags and gas prices, they haven't sold enough permits and this is them hoping they can entice a few more people to pony up. It's BS.

[Ghost Hunter]

I agree with keeping the posted deadline.  Bottom line WDFW has not kept timelines necessary to meet the commitments to the consumer.  Calling people lazy who choose not to "stay current with the times" instead continue using materiel WDFW should provide in a timely manner is uncalled for.    Like other government agencies that don't comply with their duties and services.  Too much internal BS going on to serve the public that pays their wages.  Raise licensing costs and then force additional expenses onto the consumer.  Not cool at all. 

[fowl smacker]

Just got done applying for my daughters and myself.  Can't wait to take it in the behind again this year and get another point added to my ginormous stack.  My oldest kid aged out of youth without ever drawing, last year for my youngest.  I hate this states system.

[hughjorgan]

I agree with keeping the posted deadline.  Bottom line WDFW has not kept timelines necessary to meet the commitments to the consumer.  Calling people lazy who choose not to "stay current with the times" instead continue using materiel WDFW should provide in a timely manner is uncalled for.    Like other government agencies that don't comply with their duties and services.  Too much internal BS going on to serve the public that pays their wages.  Raise licensing costs and then force additional expenses onto the consumer.  Not cool at all.

Non sense the WDFW released the regulations online over a month ago. If you chose not to look at them and wait for paper copies that’s on you. It’s 2026 get with the times, no excuses you obviously have a computer/tablet to access internet or a phone since your on this website. Furthermore the WDFW didn’t raise the license costs on you; Olympia did this and slashed the WDFW budget and then told people it was adjusting for inflation. In reality those license increases cover Olympia’s cuts to the WDFW.

[kirkl]

Sounds like there will be alot of people dropping out of the special permits race when they decide to take away paper regs like the licenses and nobody wants to get on their computer to look at the regs online lmao. That will be good for me.

[trophyhunt]

Sounds like there will be alot of people dropping out of the special permits race when they decide to take away paper regs like the licenses and nobody wants to get on their computer to look at the regs online lmao. That will be good for me.

can’t wait !!!