Big game hunting licenses

Buying a license

If you're ready to buy a license, you can visit our online licensing system, contact us by phone at 360-902-2464, or visit any of the more than 600 license dealers around the state. When buying online or by phone, it may take seven to 10 days before receiving your license in the mail.

Federal and state law require everyone 15 and older to provide their social security number before purchasing a license, whether buying in person, online, or by phone. Prospective hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972 must also show proof of hunter education training.

Big game license costs

License typeResidentNon-residentResident seniorYouth (under 16)Resident disabled*Non-resident disabled veteran*
Deer+Elk+Bear+Cougar License$95.50$860.00$95.50$46.00$46.00$95.50
Deer+Elk+Bear+Cougar License W/discounted Small game license ***$117.50$956.80$117.50$54.80$54.80$117.50
Deer+Elk License$84.50$739.00$84.50$40.50$40.50$84.50
Deer+Elk License W/discounted Small game license ***$106.50$835.80$106.50$49.30$49.30$106.50
Deer License$44.90$434.30$44.90$21.80$21.80$44.90
Deer License W/discounted Small game license ***$66.90$531.10$66.90$30.60$30.60$66.90
Elk License$50.40$497.00$50.40$21.80$21.80$50.40
Elk License W/discounted Small game license***$72.40$593.80$72.40$30.60$30.60$72.40
Bear License$24.00$222.00$24.00$13.00$13.00$24.00
Bear License W/discounted Small game license ***$46.00$318.80$46.00$21.80$21.80$46.00
Cougar License$24.00$222.00$24.00$13.00$13.00$24.00
Cougar License W/discounted Small game license ***$46.00$318.80$46.00$21.80$21.80$46.00
Moose (Random Drawing)$332.00$1,652.00$332.00$57.00$332.00$1,652.00
Mountain Goat (Random Drawing)$332.00$1,652.00$332.00$57.00$332.00$1,652.00
Bighorn Sheep (Random Drawing)$332.00$1,652.00$332.00$57.00$332.00$1,652.00
Mulitple Season Deer Tag$139.10$139.10$139.10$139.10$139.10$139.10
Multiple Season Elk Tag$182.00$182.00$182.00$182.00$182.00$182.00
2nd Black Bear License$24.00$222.00$24.00$13.00$13.00$24.00
2nd Deer Tag (only available by Special Permit)$43.40$252.40$43.50$22.50$43.40$252.40
2nd Elk Tag (only available by Special Permit)$22.50$341.50$22.50$22.50$22.50$341.50
2nd Elk Tag ( Incentive Elk and 3911 Elk Area)$22.50$341.50$22.50$22.50$22.50$341.50
Non-Reporting Administrative Penalty$10.00$10.00$10.00$10.00$10.00$10.00
Special Hunt Permit Applications$7.10$110.50$7.10$3.80$7.10$110.50
Special Hunt Permit Application - Quality ****$13.70$110.50$13.70$3.80$13.70$110.50
Multiple Season Permit Applications$7.10$110.50$7.10$3.80$7.10$110.50

Notes:

* Defining disabled hunters and fishers.

RCW 77.32.480 Reduced rate licenses.

Upon approved disability application, combination fishing and hunting licenses shall be issued at a reduced or Resident rate for the following individuals:

  1. A resident sixty-five years old or older who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces having a service-connected disability;
  2. A resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces with a thirty percent or more service-connected disability;
  3. A resident with a disability who permanently uses a wheelchair;
  4. A resident who is blind or visually impaired; and
  5. A resident with a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020 with documentation of the disability certified by a physician licensed to practice in this state.
  6. A Non Resident who qualify under 1 and 2 above as a Disabled Veteran shall be issued a combination fishing license and/or any hunting license at the same cost charged to a nondisabled Washington resident for the same license.

** Raffle Tickets can only be purchased at a License Dealer location

*** To receive the discounted rate for small game, the small game licenses must be purchased at the same time as a big game license package is purchased.

**** Special Hunt Applications that are in the categories "Quality Elk," "Quality Deer," "Any Moose", "Any Ram" and "Goat"

Residency requirements 

Per WAC 220-220-050, to qualify as a Washington resident you must meet certain criteria:

  • Maintained a permanent place of abode within the state for at least 90 days preceding license purchase;
  • Washington driver’s license;
  • Washington identification card; or
  • Military ID with a copy of orders showing Washington as your duty station.

If you do not have the above, you may need to contact WDFW Licensing to provide other documentation. To qualify for a resident license in Washington, you must not be licensed to fish or hunt as a resident in another state.