2nd Elk tag ????

[CP]

I’ve gotten two different answers to the following question from the WDFW and I’m hoping someone on this board can help clarify:

My question:
Must I purchase a 2nd elk tag to hunt with a special MH permit for a 2nd tag hunt?  Or may I use my original tag and harvest only one animal?

From page 59 of the regs:

Notes: …  Only 1 elk may be taken per elk transport tag. Some of the following hunts allow the permit holder to purchase a second elk tag.  The second elk tag can (sic) only be used in the special hunt. Only one elk may be killed during the permit hunt, even for those purchasing a second elk tag.

[Crunchy]

only puchase the second tag if you have previously tagged out prior to the hunt.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

The second tag is for the permit area only.  The only people who can purchase the second tag is people selected for the permit which I believe is disabled only or master hunter.  I your neither of those no need to worrie.

[CP]

only puchase the second tag if you have previously tagged out prior to the hunt.

That's how I read it too.

[bucksandbulls]

you can hunt the 2nd hunt with your original elk tag if you just want one elk for the season.  if you harvest an elk with the original tag during other hunts  then you could buy the 2nd tag to hunt the 2nd tag hunt.

[smdave]

That is odd they leave it grey for the Elk,

The second elk tag can only be used in the special hunt. page 58

Because on the deer 2nd tag they are very specific.

Notes: You must purchase a second deer tag to participate in this hunt and only the second tag can be used in the second
deer permit hunt. The second tag must be the same weapon choice as your first tag. page 27

[bobcat]

I guess it's because the 2nd elk tag hunts are only for Master Hunters, and they have special rights.

[Crunchy]

I guess it's because the 2nd elk tag hunts are only for Master Hunters, and they have special rights.

More like privledges, not rights

[flinter]

If you don't fill your first elk tag you can use it for the MH second elk hunt. If you fill your first tag in the general season, you need to buy a second tag for the second elk.

[Bob33]

If you don't fill your first elk tag you can use it for the MH second elk hunt. If you fill your first tag in the general season, you need to buy a second tag for the second elk.

This answer is correct.   With one exception (general season 3911), second elk tags are offered for permit hunts only.   If you are drawn for one of the second elk special permit hunts, you may use your first tag, or you may purchase and use a second tag.  If you use your first original tag, and kill an elk during the permit season, you're essentially done unless you have some other special tag.  If you purchase and use a second tag, you may still be able to use your first tag.

Simply put, a second tag can only be used for the special hunt it was given for, but the general tag can be used in both general seasons and the special permit hunt.

Elk area 3911 has second tags available as well. This is a general hunt open to all Master Hunters with Eastern tags.  It is valid only during certain time periods.

Interestingly, it is possible for someone to have more than two elk tags, but a maximum of only two elk can be legally killed in one season. This situation could happen if someone were to purchase a general season tag, a second tag, a raffle tag, a governor's tag, an area 3911 tag, an incentive permit tag, and so forth. 

There is no similar limit for deer.

[CP]

Thanks for the info. 

I ran into a guy that was on his 3rd tag a few years ago.  We were hunting a 2nd tag special hunt and were told that we had to buy the 2nd tag to participate.  One of the hunters that drew this permit had already taken an elk in the general season and had taken a second elk on a 2nd tag in 3911.  Our hunt coordinator (a WDFW enforcement officer) told him that he couldn’t buy a 2nd, 2nd tag.  But the guy called Olympia and was told him that could, so he bought his 3rd tag of the season and participated in the hunt.  None of us took an elk in that hunt but if he did it would have been his 3rd elk of the year.

I have no need for 2 elks, much less 3, and no desire to buy 2 tags.  I split an elk with my hunting partner last year and I still have plenty in the freezer, so one, or even ½ an elk is plenty for me.  I just want to understand the rules as they seem to change every year and sometimes even during the season and you can’t rely on the average WDFW employee to know the rules completely.

[Bob33]

Having a third elk tag is not necessarily illegal.  Harvesting a third elk always is.