Hi folks - I'm a wildlife biologist with the Washington Dept. of Fish and
Wildlife here in Olympia. I just went downstairs and purchased my 1998
conservation License for $10 so I can go birding on any state-owned
land. It's good for all of 1998. The same license is also used for people
who are fishing for gamefish or foodfish, and for hunters. The prices
differ depending on what you want the license for, whether or not you
are a senior citizen, under the age of 15, a resident of WA etc., though if
you just want it for birdwatching access it will be $10 no matter what.
Basically anyone who is on WDFW owned lands must have a license - in
the published hunting/fishing regulations pamphlet it states "People who
do not have a hunting, fishing, or trapping license and are 16 years or
older, must have a conservation license to use identified WDFW lands
and access facilities." You can purchase these anywhere
hunting/fishing licenses are sold, which is often any K-Mart or
combination gas station/bait shop/deli kind of place you see alongside the
road. You frequently see signs posted outside these businesses that
they sell licenses. If anyone has specific questions they can call the
licensing office in Olympia at 360-902-2464. Now I'm off to the post
office to buy my Federal duck stamp.....Happy 1998 and may all your life
list wishes come true!
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Kelly A. Bettinger
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Habitat Management Program
Species-Habitat Project
600 Capitol Way North
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
360-902-2604
bettikab at dfw.wa.gov
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