No More Waterproof Licenses: WDFW Pushes Toward Mobile

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Washington hunters and anglers will soon see a major change to how the state issues hunting and fishing licenses. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will stop printing licenses on waterproof, tear-resistant paper starting July 8.

Instead, the agency is encouraging license holders to use mobile licensing through the MyWDFW mobile app and the updated Fish Washington app.

The change affects hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and other license products used across Washington.

State shifts toward mobile licensing

WDFW officials say the move reflects a nationwide shift toward digital licensing systems.

“Following in the footsteps of fish and wildlife agencies across the country, this shift provides hunters and anglers more convenient, modern licensing and reporting options,” said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind.

“Hunters and anglers can now more conveniently buy licenses, report harvests, and display their licensing products directly from their mobile devices, offering an improved experience for customers with the bonus of enhanced data quality for fish and wildlife managers.”

WDFW says durable license paper has become harder and more expensive to obtain. Agencies across the country are moving toward digital systems. Demand for the specialized paper has dropped.

The machines used to print the waterproof licenses are also becoming outdated.

“With many state fish and wildlife agencies nationwide shifting to mobile licensing in recent years, demand for durable license paper has decreased,” said Jennine Griffo, WDFW licensing division manager.

“This has made existing hardware technologically obsolete, and durable paper has become harder and more expensive to source. In addition to convenience for the license holder, mobile licensing helps the agency alleviate these challenges associated with the existing paper licenses.”

Paper licenses will still be available

Hunters and anglers can still choose paper licenses.

However, those licenses will look different starting July 8. Dealers and WDFW offices will print licenses on standard 8.5-by-11 copy paper.

Customers will also have the option to print licenses at home.

Electronic catch reporting expands

The agency is also expanding electronic reporting tools for anglers.

Beginning April 1, anglers can use electronic catch record cards through the MyWDFW and Fish Washington mobile apps. The cards allow anglers to record catches of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut.

Electronic reporting for recreational Puget Sound Dungeness crab is expected to launch in summer 2026.

“Electronic catch record cards offer anglers and crabbers a faster, easier way to record and report catch using a mobile device,” Susewind said.

“By opting to report catch electronically, anglers can forget the days of having to mail in physical copies or paying for additional cards if theirs becomes lost or damaged.”

Anglers can record catches even without cell service. The apps store entries offline and submit them automatically once the device reconnects to the network.

Mobile tagging for hunters

The MyWDFW app also allows hunters to electronically tag big game and turkey. The system also supports migratory bird harvest reporting.

Hunters can submit reports without cell service. The app stores the reports offline and uploads them when the device reconnects.

Choosing mobile or paper

Hunters and anglers must choose whether to use mobile or paper licenses for the upcoming license year.

“As hunters and anglers begin buying their licenses for the upcoming license year, they should consider what product best fits their needs,” Griffo said.

“Customers can be mobile license holders or paper license holders, but not both.”

To enroll as a mobile license holder, customers must log into their WILD licensing account. They then select the mobile license option for the 2026–2027 license year.

Customers must also download the MyWDFW app and log in using their WILD account credentials.

Mobile licenses will become valid when the new license year begins April 1.