The Evergreen State offers widely available elk and deer general season hunts for specific GMUs, as well as special permits that are issued exclusively via the drawing. Washington has special permit drawings for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey. The state offers bull moose, bighorn sheep (ram), and mountain goat (if harvested after 1998), which are once-in-a-lifetime if successful.
Washington offers hunters chances to tick several species off their lists. For deer hunters, the state has three species: mule deer, whitetail, and blacktail. Elk hunters can chase both Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk.
Hunters may apply for tags with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Huntin’ Fool’s Washington page is an excellent, updated resource for ongoing Washington draw changes.
Washington Draw Process FAQs
Application Dates and Deadlines: Huntin’ Fool lines out Washington dates and deadlines.
Free for onX Elite members, Hunt Reminder’s Washington page is also an excellent resource for timely application season reminders.
Hunting license and species costs for tags usually include:
- Application Fee
- Hunting License Fee to apply (usually need a qualifying license before you can apply)
- Species Fee (This is what you pay for the animal you want to hunt. Some you pay upfront at application, some you pay for once you get the tag.)
- Points-Only fee (fees for people just buying points and not actually applying for a hunt)
Point System
- Washington uses a squared bonus point system. Each year you’re unsuccessful at drawing a special permit, you receive another point.
- Bonus points are both species and category-specific. “Categories” are types of hunts for each species. For example, there are five moose categories: Antlered Bull, Antlerless, Youth, 65 & Over, and Disabled.
- You can apply for a maximum of four hunt choices per application, except for the quality deer and elk categories. For quality deer and elk hunts, only two hunt choices are allowed.
- When you’re drawn, all of your application choices are considered before moving on to the next applicant.
- Points cannot be transferred between individuals or categories.
- When a hunter is selected for a special permit, the hunter’s point total for that species/category drops to zero.
What’s New in 2025
All license and application fees will increase starting on July 1, 2025.
Baiting big game is now illegal in Washington.
Mountain goat units Bumping River, Chowder Ridge, Lincoln Peak, and Avalanche Gorge will not have any draw tags for 2025.
The Manson California sheep unit will not have any draw tags for 2025.
The Mountain View Rocky Mountain sheep unit will not have any draw tags for 2025.
Tag Allocation
- There are no dedicated quotas for nonresidents; all applicants have the same odds to draw regardless of residency status.
- There are no permits set aside for applicants with the most points; all permits are issued via the random bonus point drawing.
Useful Links
- Log Into Hunt Research Tools to Start Your Application Season (NOTE: Not available for Washington yet).
- View Washington Big Game Hunting Regulations.
- Apply for Your Washington Hunting Tags.
- Read Washington Hunting News and Updates.
- Check Washington CWD Updates.
onX Hunt’s Top Three State Application Tips
- There is an option to apply for bonus points only, but the cost to do so is the same as actually applying for a permit. Given the low draw odds, it is generally the best option to apply for special permits instead of opting for points only.
- It is possible to draw more than one permit for the same species. If you do, you can participate in each hunt, but must stop hunting once you harvest an animal. Unless one of those permits is for a second tag, you are restricted to harvesting one animal.
- Washington allows group applications, and the group’s total bonus points are averaged when entering into the draw.
Your Complete System for Securing Tags
Whether you’re chasing a once-in-a-lifetime hunt or just looking to fill the freezer, your season starts with onX Hunt’s application tools—all included with an Elite Membership:
- Hunt Research Tools: Draw odds, tag trends, and harvest stats for 11 western states (Washington is not yet available) to help you decide where to apply.
- Huntin’ Fool: In-depth insights to navigate state-specific systems and build better strategies.
- HuntReminder: Text and email alerts so you never miss a deadline.
One membership, every tool you need to make 2026 the year.
