Washington
- Thread starter az.mountain runner
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Musket Man
Veteran member
Why on earth would you want to apply here??? You will never draw, there are no Elk, and its VERY expensive for a NR. Seriously I think you have a better chance of drawing in Nevada and it would be cheaper to buy a landowner tag in Utah or Colorado and a much better hunt by the time you might draw here. Im not even sure its worth it as a resident and that is with my disabled veteran discount. All that said I think it is May 5th.
RICMIC
Veteran member
Musket Man; Wash. only got on my radar recently because of the disabled vet tag that will allow me to buy the tag at a reasonable price once I turn 65 (as a NR). My wife is from Pasco, and we visit her family often. Her bro-in-law was the warden in Colfax about 20 years ago and retired as a Capt. I have looked at Wash., and wasn't too inclined to bother applying. Maybe we'll get a chance to gimp around in the mountains together someday.
bdan68
Active Member
The application period last year was April 22 to May 22, and it should be about the same this year. You are required to purchase an elk tag before applying for special permits. For a non resident, I believe it will cost somewhere around $600. If you don't draw a special permit hunt, you can then hunt the general season with your tag.
Alabama
Veteran member
And the special application to apply for limited entry is $110 after you buy the general season tag. Washington is crazy expensive to apply as a non-resident.
Musket Man
Veteran member
NR general elk tag $497. NR special hunt app fee $110.50. $607.50 total each year if prices dont go up X 15 years if your lucky to draw any of the Blue Mountain tags and your looking at $9112.50 just to get a tag. Add in around 2k for a DIY hunt or 5-6K for an outfitter and you can easily have $15,000 into a tag that does produce a giant bull once in a while but has fairly low elk numbers and your chances of taking a decent 6x6 are not real good. I just cant see any reason a NR would want to apply, even if they planned to hunt the general tag every year. For the $110.50 app fee you could apply in UT and almost apply in NV or ID. IMO there are lots of better places to spend your money.
I was a Wash resident for 6 years. Know a little about the elk hunting there. Unless you have some inside knowledge or there is a place there you want to hunt that is on your bucket list, look elsewhere. If you have the funds and are applying in most other elk states, no harm is sending WA some $.
WDFW has yet to release the rules for us up here in WA state, there changin alot of rules on us for the next 3 years should hear something early APRIL. If your looking to come hunt PM me and I can give you advice. I've personally been blessed to harvest 11 elk in 11 years. Couple areas to put in for are Margrette and Toutle, Your right you may not get drawn, but there's alot of good over the counter areas for guys that can shoot a bow, and get out of the truck.
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bdan68
Active Member
Margaret is open for the general seasons this year, so no need to draw a special permit if it's Margaret you want to hunt. It will be open September 12-24 for archery, October 3-9 for muzzleloader, and then in November for modern firearm season.