Special Hunting Season Permit Application Instructions

Special Hunt Permits are used primarily to take limited numbers of antlerless deer and elk for recreation and population control purposes. They are also used to provide high quality hunting experiences by limiting access, allowing only mature antlered animals to be taken, or timing the hunt for when the likelihood of success is greater. These permits also provide the opportunity to hunt animals (which are not numerous) such as: mountain goat, moose, and bighorn sheep. A permit does not allow a hunter to take an extra animal, unless specified on the permit.

General Information:
Special hunt permit applications are available for deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, wild turkey, and spring bear.

The application submission period for the deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey drawings is May 15 to midnight June 18, 2008. After that time, special hunt permit application submissions are not accepted.

The application submission period for the spring bear drawing is January 1 to midnight March 13, 2009. After that time, special hunt permit application submissions are not accepted.

The cost for a special permit application is $5.48 for residents, $54.75 for non-residents, and $3.29 for youth.

A weighted-point permit drawing system is used, which gives applicants who have failed to be selected in the past a better chance to be awarded a permit in the future. It is based on the application history of each applicant. Each year, those who are not selected for a permit earn a point. Points accumulate in each species category. When a hunter is selected, the hunter's point total for that species drops to zero. Everyone has a chance to be selected, but those with more points have a better chance of being awarded a permit.

How to Apply

1. Read...

Read the Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations to see what hunt choices are available. Note: permit hunts and hunt choice numbers change every year. Be sure you are reading the current year's hunting pamphlet when submitting your application(s).

2. Purchase License...

Purchase the required hunting license and select the appropriate transport tag(s).

For deer and elk, the transport tag must match the tag specified for the hunt listed in the special hunt tables. You must select your transport tag, including weapon type and location, before you can purchase a special permit application.

Applicants for turkey special hunt permits must have a valid small game hunting license before an application can be submitted.

Hunting licenses for mountain goat, moose, or bighorn sheep do not have to be purchased unless you are selected for a special hunt permit. Selected hunters must send a check or money order for the appropriate fee, to WDFW's Olympia office within 15 days of the notification date or the permit will become VOID and will be offered to the alternate. No refunds or exchanges will be made for those purchasing a hunting license for mountain goat, moose, or bighorn sheep.

3. Purchase Application...

Purchase a special hunt application. There are three ways to purchase application(s):

1. License dealerships
2. Telephone: 1-866-246-9453
3. Online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov

4. Decide Application Type...

Decide if you want to apply as an individual, as the leader of a group, or as a member of a group. If you want to apply as a member of a group, you must choose a group leader. The leader of the group must submit his or her application before members of the group can submit their applications.

When applying as a group, each member must be eligible for the hunts that the group is applying for.

If a group application is selected for permits, all of the hunters in the group receive a permit and each hunter can take an animal. The points accumulated by each hunter in the group are averaged and applied to the group application.

The maximum group sizes for each species category are as follows:

12 Deer
12 Elk
2 Mountain Goat
2 Bighorn Sheep
2 Moose
2 Black Bear
2 Cougar
4 Turkey
1 Multi-season Deer
1 Multi-season Elk

5. Decide on Hunt(s)...

Decide which hunts you would like to apply for, and in what order.

Multiple Hunt Choices – You can apply for a maximum of four hunts per species category. It is not necessary to apply for more than one hunt. If more than one hunt choice is requested, each hunt will be considered in the drawing in order of the priority you chose.

6. Submit...

Submit your application(s) by either calling (24/7) toll-free 1-877-945-3492 or online at https://fishunt.dfw.wa.gov.

Note: There is no other way to submit an application. Paper documents are not accepted.

When submitting, you will be asked to provide your WILD ID, name, and birth date. Your WILD ID is printed on each license or transport tag you purchase, and your sales receipts. This is your permanent identification number.

Next, choose a species category for which you would like to submit an application. The license system will only accept applications for species categories that you have already purchased a special hunt permit application.

For Individual Applications:

1. Enter your hunt choices
2. Review them for accuracy
3. Submit your application

For Group Applications:

Leaders must apply first:

1. Choose a pass code*
2. Write it down for later reference
3. Provide passcode to the other group member(s)
4. Enter your hunt choices
5. Review your choices for accuracy
6. Submit your application
7. Provide your WILD ID number to the member(s) of your group

Member(s) must apply second:

1. Identify the leader of the group by entering his or her WILD ID number and the pass code*
2. You will NOT be asked to provide hunt choice numbers. The group leader already submitted the group's hunt choices.
3. Submit your application.

*Pass codes are optional – A pass code is useful for a group application. It is a four-digit number (used like a PIN). Your pass code ensures that others are prevented from inadvertently becoming part of your group.

Submit for points without getting drawn (Ghost Hunt Numbers) – If you want to continue to build points, but want to make sure you do not get selected for a permit, use the "ghost hunt choice numbers" listed below when submitting your application(s). If you only enter the ghost hunt number when submitting your application, your application cannot be selected for a permit and you will automatically accrue your point for the year. Applications, supporting hunting licenses, and transport tags must still be purchased and submitted by the deadline.

Ghost Hunt Choice Numbers

1999 - Deer
2999 - Elk
3999 - Turkey
5999 - Bighorn Sheep
6999 - Mountain Goat
7999 - Black Bear
8999 - Moose
9999 - Cougar

7. Write...

Write down or print the confirmation number you are provided after submitting your application(s). If you are not issued a confirmation number, your application was NOT submitted and you must try again until one is issued.

8. Results...

All hunters who submit special permit applications will receive notice of the results in the mail.

For deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, and turkey you will receive notice by July 31, 2008.

For spring bear you will receive notice by March 31, 2009.

You can also check for drawing results online at: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/special-permits_raffles.htm, or by calling one of the WDFW offices.