The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is a department of the government of the state of Washington, United States of America. The WDFW manages over a million acres of land, the bulk of which is generally open to the public, and more than 500 water access sites.[3] Many of the sites are termed "wildlife areas" and permit hunting during the hunting season, typically in the autumn and early winter for birds, but all year round for coyotes.[4] Due to declining participation, the department has a hunter and angler recruitment, retention and reactivation plan.[5] A Discover Pass is required to park in the wildlife areas.[3]
The department's history starts with the appointment of a fisheries commissioner in 1890 by Governor of WashingtonElisha P. Ferry.[6] The department is overseen by a director appointed by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission; Kelly Susewind was appointed to the position in June 2018.[7] Hunting and fishing license sales and income from the Discover Pass recreational access fee make up about one-quarter of the department’s budget.[5]
^ ab"WDFW Lands Page". Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. August 22, 2020. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.