The Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) is responsible for establishing policies to preserve; protect; and perpetuate wildlife, fish, and shellfish; and their habitat by providing opportunities for recreational and commercial harvesting of fish and wildlife in a manner that does not impair the long-term survival of the species.  As part of this responsibility, the Commission sets hunting and fishing season dates and distributes and creates rules for issuing licenses, permits, tags, stamps, and raffle tickets.

A recreational license is required to hunt, fish, or take wildlife or seaweed.  Most licenses require a person have physical possession of the license or the license specific internet or telephone authorization number.  For example, catch record cards and transport tags must be in the physical possession of the holder.

Licenses and permits may be purchased at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website or at an authorized license dealer.  When purchased online, the Commission mails the licensee a physical license or permit.  Most licenses must be signed by the licensee, contain the licensee's personal identification information, and, if required, be accompanied by a valid catch record card.

The Commission's authority to issue and create rules for granting licenses, permits, tags, stamps, raffle tickets, and catch record cards extends to the issuance of electronic licensing documents as well as the ability to use, display, and present such documents to agency staff in an electronic format.