Discover Pass sales disappoint state parks officials

[Sumpnneedskillin]

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Discover-Pass-sales-disappoint-state-parks-officials-175454391.html

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/oct/22/discover-pass-sales-slump/

"Discover Pass revenues were about $4.7 million short of expectations for the months of June through September, said Parks spokeswoman Virginia Painter. That means instead of asking for $18 million from the general fund for the 2013-2015 biennium, the Commission will consider asking for $27.2 million, she said"

"Despite the public’s resistance to buy the new pass, she said, the agency believes eventually, people will change their minds.

“For the first two or three years, some people are going to say, ‘I’m not paying that.’ But eventually, if they love their parks, some people are going to figure out what they are missing,” she said"

[Huntbear]

 

When are they EVER going to listen??? 

SCREW the DISCOVER PASS and the STATE PARKS!  Double dipping Sum biotches....

Learn to live within a budget and deal with it.. quit handing off your financial mishandlings to everyone else, and expect hunters, fishermen, and outdoors people to pay for it... 

[Curly]

"Despite the public’s resistance to buy the new pass, she said, the agency believes eventually, people will change their minds.

“For the first two or three years, some people are going to say, ‘I’m not paying that.’ But eventually, if they love their parks, some people are going to figure out what they are missing,” she said"

Damn it.  She must have been reading my mind.  I am starting to get tired of not being able to go use some of the DNR lands that I used to like hiking or hunting on.  I was just thinking that I might give in and buy the damn pass.  But if they are just trying to wait us out, I'll give it another year............. 

[bobcat]

I bet sales increased considerably the last week of September and first two weeks of October, as hunters bought it since state land was all that was open to hunt in many areas.

I was forced to buy one so I could hunt the Winston unit, since Weyerhaeuser was shut down. Good thing I did too, as we had a DNR officer stop in our camp to check our passes.

[Fl0und3rz]

$4.7 Million shortfall + $18 Million does not equal $27.2 Million.  With losing track of the other $4.5 Million, they have bigger problems than just a bunch of disgruntled former parks users.   

So they come up short and need to ask for nearly 200% of the difference?

I laugh in their general direction.  What is it about *censored*s that make them always forget to account for the FACT that when you tax something, people will ALWAYS be more inclined to avoid it or seek suitable alternatives?

[PlateauNDN]

Close the feeding stations and enforce the people to pay up to see the aninals, thatll generate some funding.

[Tom Reichner]

I stopped visiting state land as soon as the Pass was instituted.  I don't miss it at all - I just spend my time on federal land instead, or on the reservation, or over in montana, or . . .

I'm never going to pay for that darn pass.   There are many, many places to enjoy nature and wildlife without having to pay such an extremely high fee.  What they offer in return is just not worth it; at least to me it isn't.

[hunt4]

Close the feeding stations and enforce the people to pay up to see the aninals, thatll generate some funding.

That's what bites my ass about it, to hear there not enforcing it at the feeding stationn. Free ride for the lookiloos but charge us sportsmens.

Would have not bought one this year but was forced to because it was the only land open for wife's elk hunt

[hrd2fnd]

Close the feeding stations and enforce the people to pay up to see the aninals, thatll generate some funding.

[Special T]

"But eventually, IF they love their parks, some people are going to figure out what they are missing"

The problem is they deny who their customers actually are. MOST people who use state parks are lower income and cannot afford to pay for the pass, or choose not to. This is NOT speculation on my part but observation by people who WORK for the WA ST park. Evidence of this fact is also from the other failed attempts to raise money in the past by parking fees, AND the fact that they must include unimproved lands used by a different group in order to increase their pool. I think its great so many outdoorsman have chosen to change their hunting locations, OR chance a ticket sending the state the message to pound sand. I will not let some bureaucratic idiot think they can hold me hostage to pay for their Pet BS...

If you enjoy the State parks for visits, and fishing, you should support the parks by purchasing a pass. This state is based on a user pays system, like many of my fellow hunters i am upset at the attempt to TAX me when i do not use the states services.

[KyleMB123]

If you buy the pass you are only encouraging Olympia to mismanage more money and tack on more fees. In conclusion, don't buy it.

[bobcat]

If you buy the pass you are only encouraging Olympia to mismanage more money and tack on more fees. In conclusion, don't buy it.

Buy it for $35, or pay a $100 or $200 fine.

I chose to pay only the $35. And now I can access state land for a year. I think it was the better option.

[Klyne3]

I'm with Bobcat on this. I chose to spend the $70 on passes than to get fined.  I've been checked multiple times.

[flinger]

Had to buy 2 this year cuz I lost my first one so $70  to me
But I have saved at least  $ 150  in camping cost by staying at a secure DNR campground  not really for it but with that kinda savings I am not going to complain
Oh and by the way I found the one I lost so I may be willing to part with one at a discounted price

[Curly]

I wonder what Clint Didier thinks about the pass.