OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended the special hunt permit application deadline one week, until midnight May 22, according to a Monday WDFW announcement. 

According to the statement, WDFW made this change to allow hunters more time to complete their applications using printed copies of the 2024 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet, which are due to arrive at vendors and WDFW offices soon.

“We have heard feedback from many hunters that the original deadline did not provide enough time to reference a physical copy of the latest big game hunting regulations before the special hunt permit application deadline,” WDFW game division manager Anis Aoude said. “We understand that being able to reference the physical document while you fill out your web application can be helpful. We hope this extended deadline provides everyone ample opportunity to submit their applications.”

To apply for a deer or elk special permit, hunters must first buy a hunting license and specify their tag choice, then apply with their preferred hunt choices, the statement said. Applicants for mountain goat, moose and bighorn sheep do not need to buy a license before they apply.

According to the statement, hunters can buy special hunt permit applications and hunting licenses on the WDFW licensing website and in person from license vendors, WDFW regional offices and the WDFW headquarters in Olympia. Hunters must submit their special hunt application choices through the WDFW licensing website at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/login. Special hunt drawing results will be posted to applicants’ Washington Interactive Licensing Database accounts in June.