Disabled Hunter Road Access
Entry Program & Drawing

The Road Access Entry Program provides access for hunters with mobility disabilities into areas with fewer barriers.

This is a cooperative effort between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), private timber companies, and hunters with disabilities.

This is NOT the same as the special permit drawings offered each year in the “Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations” booklet. This is NOT a permit drawing for deer or elk tag, doe or cow tag.

If drawn, you will be issued an access permit by the land manager allowing you to drive a motorized vehicle into a closed or gated area where other hunters must walk in.  

All areas are:

· still open to walk-in hunters.
· open to administrative use by the agency or land manager.
· subject to logging, fire and emergency closures… etc.

You do NOT have to buy your license or tags first to apply for these Road Access Entry Permits; you only need to be a WDFW registered hunter with a disability and have your Disabled Hunter  Wild ID number available.   (This number is on your orange placard).

However, if drawn for a Road Access Entry Permit, you must have all appropriate licenses and tags for the game you are pursuing.

Everyone must follow all state regulations pertaining to hunting.

How to apply:

Application submissions begin the first week of June. You must fill out an official WDFW application form for deer and/or elk and return it to the mailing address below or submit one online by July 31, 2012 in order to be eligible for the drawing.

Note:Only one application form per hunter is allowed. If you submit more than one entry form you will not be able to participate in the drawing and your entry forms will be destroyed.

Please read where the Road Access Areas are located and apply only for those areas you would actually travel to should you be drawn.

If applying for elk, the west side and east side elk tags are different and you must hunt in compliance with your tags and equipment.

Game Management Unit (GMU) numbers for the Road Access Entry Areas are listed at the top of each page for your convenience.

FILLING OUT THE SUBMISSION FORM:

You have up to four (4) Elk and four (4) Deer road choices.  Fill out the submission form with the entry number(s) for the road area(s) you would like to drive into.

Enter the number listed under the “Entry Number” column into the choice box on the submission form.  ~  Do not use the “GMU” number ~    If GMU’s are entered then the form will be destroyed.

Entry Numbers are separated into two groups:

Please print your Name, full mailing Address, Telephone number with area code and your Wild ID number (found on your orange placard) clearly onto the form.

Your Wild ID number must appear on the entry form to qualify for the drawing.

If you want to be considered as an alternate, check the “alternate” box. If there are areas left over, wherever possible, we will match unsuccessful hunters with disabilities to an area close to their preferred choices by geographic location.

Mail form to:  Dolores Noyés, ADA Access Program Manager, WDFW, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 and must be post marked by July 31, 2012.

DRAWING NOTIFICATION:

Hunters who have been drawn will be notified no later than August 31, 2012. 

           • Hunters with disabilities who are “not” drawn will  NOT be notified.

Those who were drawn will receive information including:
•  Congratulation letter
•  The Road Access Entry Area for which they were drawn, and
•   Instructions on how to obtain the entry permit, key, map… etc.

You may be required to visit the land managers office in person at a specific time to pick up a key, sign papers, and leave a check for a key deposit.

Designated Hunting Companion - Hunting areas have different rules about whether the hunter companion can also hunt on their own tag, or must only assist the disabled hunter in the harvest.

Successfully drawn hunters with disabilities and their designated hunting companions must follow the rules of the land manager while hunting and driving in the permit area. You will receive a list of these rules when you receive your Road Access Entry Permit.

If allowed on the entry permit,other non-hunting persons or family members besides your hunting companion may be allowed to accompany the hunter with a disability. Each land manager makes this decision, so check before you go.

REVIEW:

All Packet information is available online or by calling the number below.

Entries for the Disabled Hunter Road Access Permit drawing for Deer and Elk must either be submitted online or to the address below by July 31, 2012 to be valid.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
ADA Access Program Manager
600 Capitol Way North
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

This form and packet is available online at:  wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/road_access.html  

If you have questions, please contact:

            Dolores Noyés, ADA Access Program Manager at (360) 902-2349

Questions regarding DNR lands should be directed to (360) 902-1375.