Hunt Contest Permit

A permit may be required for an organized hunt contest activity, not including field trials, in which participants are in competition with one another.  It is unlawful to participate in a hunting contest for which no permit has been issued by the department. 

You need a hunt contest permit if:

  • An organized competition is held in which participants are given an allotted amount of time to harvest a specific wildlife species.

Fees:

  • Nonrefundable application fee: $70.00
  • Permit fee: $24.00

A person wishing to hold a hunting contest must comply with the following provisions:

  1. Only organizations filed with the state of Washington as a nonprofit corporation may apply for a hunting contest permit.
  2. Hunting contest permit applications shall be submitted to the department 30 days prior to the proposed contest date.
  3. Applications must include the $70.00 application fee, $24.00 permit fee. The permit fee will be returned if the permit is denied.
  4. Contests involving unclassified and classified wildlife species without a bag limit are prohibited and will not be permitted.
  5. Total value of prizes per contest shall not exceed $2000.
  6. Entry fees or requests for donations are prohibited.
  7. It is unlawful to fail to comply with the conditions of a hunting contest permit.

Hunting contests which may adversely affect wildlife resources will be denied.

Refer to WAC 220-412-110, RCW 77.32.525, RCW 77.32.540, and RCW 77.65.480

Please contact the WDFW Wildlife Program at 360-902-2515 or wildthing@dfw.wa.gov to request an application or for additional information