Hunters will see up to a 38 percent increase in hunting license costs this year in Washington after state officials passed legislation in spring for the new fees. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife said it did not request the legislation asking for the increased fees. Department officials say most of the revenue will be used to cover increased costs within the agency, and the remainder used to offset State General Fund reductions as a fund swap.
Nonresident hunters will see fees of $306.10 for a bear or cougar license, and a second black bear license and tag would be another $306.10. The standard big game combination license, which includes tags for deer, elk, bear and cougar, would increase from $85 to $117.30 for residents.
The increase went into effect July 1 and is the first since 2011. The legislation included a senior discount for hunting licenses, and a senior and disabled veteran discount for license packages (Fish Washington and Get Outdoors).
WDFW officials said the “fund swap” is $10.1 million for 2025-27 and $7 million per biennium ongoing thereafter. State economists estimate the bill could generate $19.6 million next year, even after accounting for an expected 11 percent decline in license sales.
