Give The Gift That Keeps On Giving… WDFW Has Your Stocking Stuffers Covered

If you're tired of fishing alone all year, give the gift that guilts your buds into fishing - a fishing license!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding holiday shoppers that they can give family and friends the gift of outdoor adventure with the purchase of Washington hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and vehicle-access passes to millions of acres of state wildlife land.

Of course, with so many getting new cars this time of year with the end of year close-outs, you could also go with wildlife-themed license plates.

Although the new license year doesn't begin until April 1, 2018, many hunters and fishers like to have their license in hand and be ready for the new season, said Peter Vernie, WDFW licensing manager.

"It's always great to be prepared when the new season arrives," Vernie said. "Fishing and hunting licenses are gifts that last the whole year."

Gift giving options from WDFW include:

• 2018 Fishing and Hunting Licenses (valid Apr. 1, 2018–Mar. 31, 2019): Recreational fishing and hunting licenses are available for purchase this month by telephone at 1-866-246-9453, at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or at hundreds of WDFW license vendors across the state (http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/).
• Discover Passes (valid for one year from the issue date): A Discover Pass (also available at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) offers motor-vehicle access to millions of acres of Washington state-managed recreation lands, including state parks, water access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads. The state Discover Pass is available online for $35, and also at fishing and hunting license dealers. Holders of annual hunting and fishing licenses do not need a Discover Pass to access lands managed by WDFW, because they receive a free Vehicle Access Pass with their license.
• Wildlife-themed license plates: Wildlife-themed license plates for motor vehicles—including those with images of a steelhead, bald eagle, orca whale, elk, mule deer, or black bear—are available for purchase at an additional cost to regular vehicle-licensing fees. Proceeds from the special license plates go to management of wildlife species. Personalized license plates are also available, with a choice of up to seven letters or numbers not already in use. Personalized license plate proceeds help support management of non-hunted wildlife species. A personalized license plate can be combined with any background. Purchasing information is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/license_plates/.