2024 WASHINGTON ODDS/INSIDER UPDATE

If you’ve gone to the Washington state website to look for special hunt results from the 2022 and  2023 season, you are probably still seeing this same message:

This is the second year in a row where we have been unable to receive draw data from the state of Washington. We are still in contact with the state and constantly working to retrieve both 2022 and 2023 data. Unfortunately, we do not have an ETA on when the state will provide us with the data requested. Once received, we will get both Filtering and standalone draw odds updated. We thank you for your patience.

WASHINGTON'S 2024 BIGHORN SHEEP, MOOSE, MOUNTAIN GOAT APPLICATION OVERVIEW

If you’re a nonresident applying for bighorn sheep, moose and/or mountain goats in Washington, you need to know that it is rather expensive and it has some extremely tough odds. Yet, the rigid management strategy of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has led up to these tags being some of the best in the country for each species. Residents definitely have the upper hand here based upon application costs alone. However, if you still feel compelled to apply, we recommend that you swing for the fence.

Note: The all species application deadline for Washington is May 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. You can apply online here.

New for 2024

State Information

To view important information and an overview of Washington’s rules/regulations, the draw system, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile. You can also view the Species Profiles to access historical and statistical data to help you identify trophy areas.

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION

INFORMATION FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS IN WASHINGTON

If you've never applied in Washington before, you will need to have WDFW verify your hunter education information before you can apply. The first step is creating your WILD ID account. After that, you will need to get your hunter education information added to your account and it does take some time. Make sure to plan ahead.

MANDATORY HUNT REPORTING

Washington is a mandatory hunter reporting state. If you do not submit your report, you will be charged a $10 penalty and this penalty must be paid before you can buy a license the following year. 

By Jan. 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT, hunters must report their hunting activity for each special permit acquired and each deer, elk, bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and turkey tag purchased in 2024 even if you did not hunt. For each transport tag, you will owe a general season hunting activity report and you will also owe a hunting activity report for each big game special permit awarded. You cannot submit this information by mail or email, do so on your Washington WILD licensing system account.

If your season extends beyond Jan. 31, 2025, the hunter report is due within 10 days of the close of that season.

Cost to apply

For the big three, Washington does not require you to purchase a hunting license in order to apply. You will only be charged the cost of the application fee in order to have a chance at drawing. For nonresidents, it’s a higher than normal application fee, so keep that in mind. If selected, you must send a check or money order for the appropriate fee to the WDFW's headquarters office by the deadline established by WDFW (15-day minimum) or the permit will become void and will be offered to an alternate. You may also purchase your license using a credit card by calling (866) 246-9453.

The Washington draw system

One of the greatest advantages of applying in Washington is the absence of a quota split between residents and nonresidents. This implies that every applicant, regardless of their residency status, has an equal opportunity in the drawing process.

When applying, you will first need to purchase the applications you are interested in submitting. Once you have purchased them, you will then need to go into the applications and select the hunts you are interested in drawing. 

Unlocking Washington's system

The points system

Washington is a pure bonus point system. The more points you have, the more applications go into the bucket and increase your chances of drawing a tag. There is no maximum point draw, but your points are squared, which gives you more presence in the draw each year you are unsuccessful. Essentially, it gives you a slightly better random chance of drawing. You will be awarded a point when you purchase your application. So if it’s your first time entering the draw, you will have one point. If you have 10 points, you square them and add the current year’s point, giving you 101 chances in the bucket. The good thing about a bonus point system is that whether you have one point or 20 points, you always have a chance of drawing.

At face value, this is a great system as it gives exponential value to unsuccessful applicants. The problem with this is that the system is now very mature and going into its 32nd year. For 2024, applicants could have 31 points going into the application period. Points are accumulated in each species category. 

MULTIPLE HUNT CHOICES

For moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep, you can apply for a maximum of four hunt choices per application. You do not have to apply for more than one hunt. All hunt choices are considered, prior to moving onto the next applicant.

YOUTH AND SPECIAL PERMITS

If a youth is awarded a youth permit and turns 16 before purchasing the hunting license and tag, the full resident or nonresident price will be charged. Permit price is determined by the youth's age at the date of the special permit purchase. No refunds or exchanges will be made for those purchasing a hunting license for mountain goat, moose or bighorn sheep.

PARTY APPLICATIONS

For moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, the maximum group size is two. When applying as a group, you will have a group leader and group members. The group leader must submit as the group leader for the category first. Each group member must submit their application as a group member and must know the group leader’s WILD ID to join as a group member. Any points that have been accrued by any party member are considered and averaged across the application. If one member of the group draws, then all members of the group draw. Be sure to apply only for hunt selections that have enough permits available to suffice the group. 

Note: With the extremely low number of tags available, we strongly suggest that you avoid submitting a group application. Group applications will only decrease your odds even further.

Washington's 2024 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep breakdown

There are currently nine ram hunts with 19 tags and four ewe hunts with four tags available in Washington this year. Seven ram hunts and all four ewe hunts take place in the central region of the state while the remaining ram hunt takes place in the Blue Mountains down in the southeast corner. 

The most current state data shows an average bighorn sheep population of approximately 1,600 that spreads across 17 different herds. This does not include the herds that are being managed by tribal governments. Six of these herds are Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep while the remaining 11 are California bighorn sheep.

HORN MARKING REQUIREMENTS:

All successful hunters must present the horns for inspection and marking within 10 days to a WDFW regional or district office or a location designated by a department representative. Call a WDFW regional or district office to schedule an appointment with a biologist for horn marking. A WDFW employee will permanently mark an identification number on one of the horns. Inspection and marking do NOT substitute for mandatory hunter reporting. For bighorn sheep, both are required.

THE GOHUNT HIT LIST UNITS FOR WASHINGTON BIGHORN SHEEP

Washington has brutal odds no matter how you apply. However, there is a new Wenaha ram hunt in GMU 169 for the 2024 season that should rank with one of the best. Unit 18 is considered the top unit in the state and has been for a number of years. Unit 14 holds its own most years and is one heck of a consolation prize. Regardless, a ram is a ram. It's best to weigh your options and then cross-reference your choices on Filtering and our standalone Draw Odds.

Managing points and expectations

There are no secrets or hidden gems and, to make a long story short, you are going to start at less than 1% for a first timer and, even if you have applied since the very beginning (almost 30 years now), you will still have less than a 1% chance of drawing (2021). Yet, you can’t win if you don’t play and if you want a California or a Rocky Mountain ram, then you need to get your name in this hat.

Washington's 2024 moose breakdown

Not much has changed from last year and there are still 14 different bull moose hunts to apply for. Six of these hunt codes have 10 or more bull tags available. The Selkirk Unit in the far northwest corner of the state has the most permits with 15 up for grabs in this year's draw. These are very hard tags to draw, but the age class across most all units is excellent. If you are lucky enough to draw one of these incredible hunts, you are in for some of the very best Shiras moose hunting in the country. 

There are also nine different hunts available for antlerless or cow moose. If you opt to apply for an antlerless hunt, it's highly advised against harvesting a cow accompanied by a calf nearby. Considering factors like wolf predation and others, the WDFW aims to provide moose with the highest chance of survival possible, and harvesting cows with calves significantly impacts the herd's health. 

Washington bull moose are once-in-a-lifetime. If you have previously taken an antlered bull moose in Washington, you cannot apply again; however, you could apply for cow moose or raffle/auction permits.

SUBMISSION OF MOOSE INCISOR TOOTH

If you are successful in harvesting a moose in Washington you are required to send an incisor tooth within 60 days. You will be provided a pre-paid postage envelope so you can return the tooth. Returning the tooth helps WDFW in managing the moose populations and determining the age of the moose that are harvested. If you would like to check the age of the moose you harvested, you can visit the following website here.

HOW TO UNCOVER HIDDEN GEMS

Unfortunately, like most once-in-a-lifetime hunts in the country, there really are not any “hidden gems.” If you are looking to hunt sooner rather than later, you may have a little more luck applying for an antlerless permit, but even with 26 points, the easiest hunt to draw only had a 3.3% chance of drawing.

Managing expectations

Even at maximum points, there isn’t a sure bet when it comes to a moose tag. If you are looking to hunt sooner rather than later, you may have a little more luck applying for an antlerless permit, but even with 26 points, the easiest hunt to draw only had a 3.3% chance of drawing (2021). Washington’s system definitely caters to the resident as far as the costs of applying. If you are a nonresident and feel the need to take a chance, swing for the fence and apply for what you believe to be the best hunts. Someone is going to win.

Washington’s 2024 mountain goat breakdown

Not much has changed from last year in regards to the amount of tags that are up for grabs.  There are still 14 tags spread out across nine different units.  All but one unit (Mt Margaret (5-6)) had a harvest success of 100% for the 2023 season. So, regardless of which tag you draw, you have a great chance of coming home with a once-in-a-lifetime goat. 

To be a legal mountain goat, a hunter can take a goat of either sex, but the horns must be 4” or longer (except where otherwise permitted by a WDFW rule even if permits are drawn for more than one mountain goat hunt category). 

Along with that, WDFW strongly encourages hunters to refrain from shooting nannies even though nannies can be legally taken by permit holders. WDFW also encourages permit holders to avoid taking a radio-collared mountain goat. Applicants drawn for a permit may only purchase their license after successfully completing the WDFW online mountain goat gender identification training.

MANDATORY INSPECTION FOR MOUNTAIN GOAT KILL

A hunter who kills a mountain goat in Washington must present the head with horns attached for inspection within 10 days to a WDFW regional or district office or a location designated by a department representative. Call a WDFW regional or district office to schedule an appointment with a biologist for inspection. Inspection does not substitute for mandatory hunter reporting. For mountain goats, both are required.

Managing expectations

There are four hunt choices that have two or more permits available and you’ll notice that your odds of drawing are still pretty rough. The Avalanche Gorge Unit has the most permits up for grabs with a total of three. Given how hard these permits are to draw, it is a good idea to apply for the most number of permits you can when choosing what hunts to apply for. It is also wise to fill out all of your hunt choices and not just one. This will keep your name in the running further into the process and will likely give you the best chances.