115 surplus elk multi-season tags awarded; 2,723 over-the-counter deer tags available on Aug. 18

OLYMPIA — Hunters who bought a multi-season permit application for elk earlier this year, but were not selected in the April drawing, may be one of the additional 115 people who will be selected for surplus elk multi-season tags.

In past years, hunters would camp out and form lines for the opportunity to secure this coveted elk permit. Given the risk of COVID-19, the department is releasing the tags differently this year.

“The next sequential 115 hunters on the original official draw list of elk multi-season tags will have an opportunity to buy the remaining tags,” said Peter Vernie, WDFW Licensing Division Manager. “By using the existing official draw list from April, this prevents large group gatherings at retail locations and keeps the opportunity fair.”

Elk hunters can also login on the WILD System after 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 to see if they are eligible to buy an elk multi-season tag. The remaining 115 elk multi-season tag winners will receive an email from WDFW notifying them that they are eligible to buy a multi-season elk tag.

Beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Aug. 18, 2,723 deer multi-season tags will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters can buy licenses online, over the phone, or at an authorized Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) license dealer. WDFW regional offices and headquarters in Olympia remain closed to in-person license sales.

Hunters who want to buy a deer multi-season tag must have bought a 2020 deer multi-season special hunt application and have a general season deer license before buying a multi-season tag. Hunters who already have their 2020 general season tag must surrender it by contacting the WDFW Licensing Department at (360) 902-2464 before buying the multi-season tag.

Multi-season deer tags are $139.10, and multi-season elk tags are $182.00. Tag costs are the same for residents and non-residents. There will not be a purchase deadline for the elk or deer multi-season tags.

Multi-season deer tags will remain on sale until the tag limit is reached. Hunters who purchase a multi-season tag will not lose points in their multi-season deer or elk special hunt application categories.

Hunters with multi-season tags can hunt all three weapon choices (modern firearm, muzzleloader, archery), season permitting, until their tag is filled.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and other recreation opportunities.