WDFW Digital license

Roper

Roper

Idiot Savant, still
Forum Supporter
I was wondering if anyone has bought their license online yet. I can see where it might be a good thing to save money, but most government programs come with a bit of frustration. I haven’t taken the time yet to go online and scout through the process. I thought I would take a shortcut and see what you all might be up to.
 
Roper said:
I was wondering if anyone has bought their license online yet. I can see where it might be a good thing to save money, but most government programs come with a bit of frustration. I haven’t taken the time yet to go online and scout through the process. I thought I would take a shortcut and see what you all might be up to.
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I opted for the paper version this year, in order to wait and see how the digital version works out for folks. I didn’t like the fact that you had to choose one OR the other.
 
I bought my old man fishing license in case I get an opportunity to get out (I look at it as a ~$10 donation), along with a Discover Pass and encountered no problems. The pass arrived in today's mail. The only question I have is re: the printed WDFW Vehicle Access Pass . . . since you print it, can you print 2 and keep 1 in each veof the 2 vehicles you list?
 
Good topic Roper.. I went to get my "Privilege Papers" and well the system was down to do the printed version,imagine that...lol
I will be copying both documents for all my vehicles.. laminate and leave them on the dash..
They opened up the loop hole so I'm diving in..🤣🤣🤠🍺
 
Weird. In Oregon, if you go to the ODF&W site, they sell licenses, permits and tags as if you're buying items at Amazon. You put everything in a shopping cart and pay for it all when you check out. The receipt can be used as proof and you can keep it on the site under your account for as long as you'd like. If you want a printed version, you just print it off.

I printed mine because I don't always carry my phone (computer) but I do always carry my wallet and that's where I keep my printed "account" that includes my fishing license.

It really isn't an either or when it comes to the permits and licenses you purchase on the ODF&W site. If you want to pint it, there is no problem printing what you've purchased.
 
I am fully digital and am good with it so far! I should get a parking paee in the mail soon, but just have to have my phone with me.. which I already do. Checkout the Annual License thread I posted recently but I am happy with what I decided. Cheers!
 
I’m going paper until I’m forced to go digital.
Last time I was checked, I didn’t want to take off my jacket, pack, stripping basket etc to dig out my wallet to show my license.
I just gave the warden my name and DOB. He said he’d run it back in this truck and come back and see me if there was an issue.
He never came back….
SF
 
I'll buy the electronic license this year. I tried to buy it a while ago but I couldn't figure out how. My license is still in effect, and I did not see an option to buy a year's license with a start date of April 2026. I was only able to select the year that ends April 2026.
 
Worked fine for out of state as well. They got the paper stuff out right away. Wdfw is one of the better states to work with online. I always keep copies of everything on my phone anyhow so either way works. That said, will do digital next year. Device is easy to access for me on the water.

One bit of advice, just make sure you're on the real wdfw etc. Scam sites imitating various licensing are popular and easy $ for them. There are signs but they're just convincing enough if you don't have your guard up.

Btw if something like that happens to anyone, don't panic. Call the # on the back of your card and report immediately. Usually you won't lose anything and they can cancel/have a new card to you overnight.
 
Zak said:
I'll buy the electronic license this year. I tried to buy it a while ago but I couldn't figure out how. My license is still in effect, and I did not see an option to buy a year's license with a start date of April 2026. I was only able to select the year that ends April 2026.
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Zak - just fyi, every WA fishing license runs April 1-March 31. It's their "fiscal year." There is no other option 🤷‍♀️
 
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Northern said:
Zak - just fyi, every WA fishing license runs April 1-March 31. It's their "fiscal year." There is no other option 🤷‍♀️
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Hey Zak you can get one. I saw that as well - you have to flag it for next year's license, otherwise it just shows the current one and no obvious option for following year. Monkey with it for an extra minute and you'll find it.
 
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I’m all digital. It’s okay, though searching around for the various other endorsements is a PITA. It’s supposed to pair with a electronic federal duck stamp too. I’m gonna miss the artwork of the waterfowl stamps. As to what to do when you get checked, who knows? The last time i handed the officer a handful of faded receipt paper. It was okay by him.
 
Zak said:
Yeah, I was just trying to buy next year's license. @Tim L says it can be done, so I'll try again!
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Success! Wow, $173 for a resident combo fishing license, discover pass, two-pole, and Dungeness catch record card (incl. a $10 penalty for not filling it out last year)!
 
Zak said:
Success! Wow, $173 for a resident combo fishing license, discover pass, two-pole, and Dungeness catch record card (incl. a $10 penalty for not filling it out last year)!
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Cheaper to get the “fish washington” combo. $104 for all that except the disco pass.
 
Northern said:
Zak - just fyi, every WA fishing license runs April 1-March 31. It's their "fiscal year." There is no other option 🤷‍♀️
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Small detail Northern, WA state fiscal year is July 1 through June 30. The WDFW licensing year, for fishing at least, I'm not sure about hunting, is April 1 through March 31. The licensing year came about in the 1980s, (I think) to encompass the winter steelhead fishing season in a single year. Back when hatchery and some wild steelhead were relatively abundant, the winter season ran from November through March (generally speaking), which meant that punch card harvest data for winter steelhead spanned two calendar years. Now that they rely on creel and angler census data for harvest management rather than punch card (or "catch record card") data, the point of carrying catch record cards is kind of lost.
 
I haven't bought my new license yet, but I'll get the paper hard copy one again this time. I always have my wallet with me, which is where my fishing license resides. Unlike the average American, I'm not glued to my cell phone, so I might not have it with me when I'm fishing.
 
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