Multiple-season hunting tag deadline March 31

OLYMPIA — Applications will be accepted through March 31 to draw a multiple-season deer or elk take in Washington for 2016.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will have a drawing in mid-April to selected names for 8,500 multiple-season deer tags and 1,000 multiple-season elk tags.

Winners in the drawing will be eligible to buy a special tag allowing them to participate in archery, muzzleloader and modern firearm general hunting seasons. Winners who purchase the multiple-season elk tag also can hunt in both eastern and western Washington.

The deadline to buy the tag is July 31.

“This is a great opportunity for hunters to extend their hunting season this fall,” said Mick Cope, state game manager. “The multiple-season tag allows more flexibility, since winners do not need to choose one hunting method over another.”

Hunters can apply once for each species and are limiting to harvesting one deer or elk.

A multiple-season application can be purchased at any license dealer. The application costs $7.10 for state residents and $110.50 for non-residents.

Including transaction fees, multiple-season deer tags cost $139.10 while multiple-season elk tags are $182. These prices are in addition to the cost of an annual hunting license.