New Hunting Pamphlet out; time to study

The 2015 Big Game Hunting Seasons & Regulations Pamphlet has been published. I have not been able to find it at any of the sporting goods stores, yet.

The pamphlet is on the Fish and Wildlife website, however. Go to: http://wdfw.wa.gov/ and then click on the hunting button near the top of the page and then on the Regulations and Seasons drop-down button. The 2015 Big Game pamphlet will be near the top.

The special permit application deadline is May 20. Now it is time to study the pamphlet.

There are three ways to purchase your license and permit applications, through your local sporting goods store, by telephone or on the Internet. It takes a few minutes to purchase the hunting license, and the various permit applications for my hunting group of four.

The general mule deer season is Oct. 17 through Oct. 27 or two days longer than past years of 9 days.

There are several special permit categories for the various species including:

Deer

Quality, hunters can expect lower than average hunter densities, greater potential for success or good hunt timing during these hunts.

Buck, antlered deer only, hunts available for each weapon type.

Antlerless, antlerless deer only, hunts available for each weapon type.

Second deer, these hunts allow the selected applicants to purchase a second deer tag and participate in the hunt awarded.

Youth, youth must be under 16 at the time the special permit application is purchased.

65 and over, must be at least 65 years of age sometime during the license year.

Disabled, must be registered with Fish and Wildlife as a hunter with a disability.

Master Hunter, must have a valid Washington Master Hunter card.

Elk

Quality, hunters can expect lower than average hunter densities, greater potential for success, or good hunt timing during these hunts.

Bull, antlered elk only, hunts available for each weapon type.

Antlerless, antlerless elk only, hunts available for each weapon type.

Youth, must be under 16 at the time the special permit application is purchased.

65 and over, must be at least 65 years of age sometime during the license year.

Disabled, must be registered with Fish and Wildlife as a hunter with a disability.

Master Hunter, must have a valid Washington Master Hunter card.

Moose

Any Moose, hunts in this category allow the taking of either an antlered or antlerless moose. If a hunter reports taking a moose on one of these hunts, or fails to report his or her hunting activity, no further special hunt applications for "Any Moose" can be purchased.

Antlerless, hunts in this category only allow the taking of antlerless moose. Hunters may continue to purchase future moose special hunt applications whether a moose was taken in the hunt or not.

Youth, must be under 16 at the time the special permit application is purchased.

65 and over, must be at least 65 years of age at some time during the license year.

Disabled, must be registered with Fish and Wildlife as a hunter with a disability.

Master Hunter, must have a valid Washington Master Hunter card.

Bighorn sheep

Any Ram, hunts in this category only allow the taking of a bighorn sheep ram. If a hunter reports taking a sheep on one of these hunts, or fails to report his or her hunting activity, no further special hunt applications for "Sheep Any Ram" can be purchased.

Ewe, hunts in this category only allow the taking of bighorn sheep ewes. Hunters may continue to purchase future bighorn sheep applications whether a sheep was taken in the hunt or not.

Youth, must be under 16 at the time the special permit application is purchased.

Disabled Hunter, any ram, must be registered with Fish and Wildlife as a hunter with a disability. Hunts in this category only allow the taking of a bighorn sheep ram. If a hunter reports taking a sheep on one of these hunts, or fails to report his or her hunting activity, no further special hunt applications for "Sheep Any Ram" can be purchased.

Disabled Hunter, ewe only, must be registered with Fish and Wildlife as a hunter with a disability. Hunts in this category only allow the taking of bighorn sheep ewes. Hunters may continue to purchase future bighorn sheep applications whether a sheep was taken in the hunt or not.

The cost of the special hunt permit application for the categories of quality elk, quality deer, any moose, bighorn sheep ram and mountain goat are $13.70 each. The rest of the special hunt permit applications are $7.10. Fish and Wildlife makes a bunch of money on the applications.

The number of categories makes it necessary for hunters to study the pamphlet to determine which species and hunts the individual or group desires, as there have been changes since last year. The Fish and Wildlife Commission increased the moose permits by 34, from 136 to 170.

Other moose hunt changes include dividing some of the hunts into an early hunt, Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 and a late hunt, Nov. 1 through Nov. 30 hunt.

Study the pamphlet, consult your hunting partners and submit your applications. Good luck on the draw to all and later during the hunts.