Washington is one of the more affordable western states for a guided elk hunt, and a nonresident can hunt the general season with a single over-the-counter license. Here’s where the money goes.
License costs (2026)
These are fixed costs from WDFW. Your elk license includes your general season tag.
| Item | Nonresident | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Elk license | $685.60 | $69.29 |
| Deer and elk license | $1,020.06 | $116.85 |
| Special permit application (optional) | $152.30 | $9.61 |
| Quality special permit application (optional) | $152.30 | $18.72 |
| Multi-season elk tag, if drawn (optional) | $250.97 | $250.97 |
| General season elk hunt | $685.60 | $69.29 |
| Elk hunt plus one special permit application | $837.90 | $78.90 |
A 2.9% processing fee is added to card purchases made online or by phone. Youth under 16 pay $29.82 for an elk license.
WDFW’s fee table is labeled effective January 1, 2026. Check the current price before you buy.
DIY hunt: what to budget
If you hunt public land or open timberland on your own, a typical nonresident trip includes:
| Expense | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Elk license | about $686 |
| Travel (gas or flights, rental) | $300–$1,500 |
| Food and camp supplies for a week | $150–$400 |
| Lodging if not camping | $0–$1,000 |
| Timberland access permit, where required | Varies by landowner |
| Meat processing | $300–$600 |
| Trip total, not counting gear | about $1,450–$4,200 |
These ranges are estimates. Rain gear, good boots, optics and a pack frame for meat are essential in Washington and can cost more than the trip if you’re starting from scratch.
Drop camp
A drop camp is the middle option. An outfitter packs you and a furnished camp into the backcountry, usually by horse, and packs you and your elk out at the end. You hunt on your own. One eastern Cascades outfitter’s published prices (from a past season) started at $750 per person for a standard drop camp and $950 for a furnished drop camp, with a two-hunter minimum. Ask what’s in camp and whether meat packing is included.
Guided hunt prices
Here are real examples from Washington outfitters’ published prices:
| Hunt type | Example price |
|---|---|
| Semi-guided elk hunt with food and lodging | $3,500 |
| Fully guided elk, camp-based | $5,500 |
| Fully guided elk, hotel-based | $6,100 |
| Roosevelt elk, guided with lodging and meals (archery, muzzleloader or rifle) | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Deluxe camp, unguided, with cook and game packing | $4,500 |
| Deluxe camp, fully guided, 2 hunters per guide | $5,500 |
Prices depend on the unit, season, weapon, private vs. public land, and how many hunters share a guide. Some of these were published for past seasons, so ask for current rates.
What’s usually NOT included in a guided hunt
- Your elk license and any special permit applications
- Travel to and from Washington
- Meat processing and shipping
- Taxidermy
- Access permits for private timberland, if needed
- Tips. A common rule is about 10% of the hunt price for your guide, plus something for cooks or packers.
Ways to save
- Skip the draw. You don’t need a special permit to hunt. A general season tag is enough for a first trip.
- Hunt with a bow or muzzleloader. Fewer hunters, and you’re in the woods during or near the rut.
- Go semi-guided. Some outfitters offer food, lodging and local knowledge without a full-time guide. Browse DIY and self-guided hunts.
- Look for discount and last-minute hunts. See discount guided hunts.
- Split a drop camp. Price per hunter drops when the camp is full.
Compare prices
See Washington outfitters and what they charge
Contact outfitters directly through their Horn & Fin listings.
Related: How Washington draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Washington Elk Hunting Guide · Guided vs. DIY vs. drop camp · How to apply for special permits
License fees are from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for 2026. Guided hunt examples are from outfitters’ published price lists and can change at any time.