Top 5

[bobcat]

I still think the state should make us choose one, one only

Absolutely agree.  The multiple choice baloney is the worst thing that ever happened.

No, the absolute worst thing to ever happen is the multiple categories for each species. (In my opinion)

[huntnphool]

I still think the state should make us choose one, one only

Absolutely agree.  The multiple choice baloney is the worst thing that ever happened.

No, the absolute worst thing to ever happen is the multiple categories for each species. (In my opinion)

Some would argue that going from WDF&G to WDFW was the worst thing that ever happened.

[Wacenturion]

Going from two choices to one choice really won't change anything. I wouldn't necessarily be against it, but the only advantage I see is it may be easier to calculate odds of drawing. But it won't make permits easier to draw. You'd still have the same number of applicants and the same number of permits.

Not so.  I always put in for the late Blue Mtn. whitetail hunt.  Used to be approximately 600 putting in for 100 permits back in the early 90's.  One would usually draw every 3-4 years.  Then along came 4 choices and odds went to 1500-1600 up to 2000 for the same 100 permits.  Now add in the doe hunters keeping their doe points but being able to put in for quality buck and it goes up over 2200.  Now if you're lucky maybe every 5-7 years you might get drawn.

On top of that WDFW is inept enough in the management department to have 100 doe hunters in the field during that rut season, many of which I have run across that are even in the wrong unit.  If you want to harvest doe's and reduce numbers do it during the general.  Don't screw up a quality rut hunt with hunters that can harvest theirs earlier...period!

Most of those that end up putting in for 2nd through 4th choices don't have a clue as to the area or access.  Many of those tags go wasted.  Going down to 2 choices helps, but still makes odds higher than they should be.

[Curly]

I still think the state should make us choose one, one only

Absolutely agree.  The multiple choice baloney is the worst thing that ever happened.

No, the absolute worst thing to ever happen is the multiple categories for each species. (In my opinion)

Some would argue that going from WDF&G to WDFW was the worst thing that ever happened.

And some would argue that the worst thing was merging Fisheries and Game into one dept of WDF&G.......

[Wacenturion]

I still think the state should make us choose one, one only

Absolutely agree.  The multiple choice baloney is the worst thing that ever happened.

No, the absolute worst thing to ever happen is the multiple categories for each species. (In my opinion)

Some would argue that going from WDF&G to WDFW was the worst thing that ever happened.

That was definitely a huge mistake.

[Curly]

Going from two choices to one choice really won't change anything. I wouldn't necessarily be against it, but the only advantage I see is it may be easier to calculate odds of drawing. But it won't make permits easier to draw. You'd still have the same number of applicants and the same number of permits.

Not so.  I always put in for the late Blue Mtn. whitetail hunt.  Used to be approximately 600 putting in for 100 permits back in the early 90's.  One would usually draw every 3-4 years.  Then along came 4 choices and odds went to 1500-1600 up to 2000 for the same 100 permits.  Now add in the doe hunters keeping their doe points but being able to put in for quality buck and it goes up over 2200.  Now if you're lucky maybe every 5-7 years you might get drawn.

On top of that WDFW is inept enough in the management department to have 100 doe hunters in the field during that rut season, many of which I have run across that are even in the wrong unit.  If you want to harvest doe's and reduce numbers do it during the general.  Don't screw up a quality rut hunt with hunters that can harvest theirs earlier...period!

Most of those that end up putting in for 2nd through 4th choices don't have a clue as to the area or access.  Many of those tags go wasted.  Going down to 2 choices helps, but still makes odds higher than they should be.

It's not really the amount of choices that caused the problem you point out there; it is the multiple categories.

[Wacenturion]

Used to be Washington Department of Game until the 80's.  Gone downhill since.

[Wacenturion]

Going from two choices to one choice really won't change anything. I wouldn't necessarily be against it, but the only advantage I see is it may be easier to calculate odds of drawing. But it won't make permits easier to draw. You'd still have the same number of applicants and the same number of permits.

Not so.  I always put in for the late Blue Mtn. whitetail hunt.  Used to be approximately 600 putting in for 100 permits back in the early 90's.  One would usually draw every 3-4 years.  Then along came 4 choices and odds went to 1500-1600 up to 2000 for the same 100 permits.  Now add in the doe hunters keeping their doe points but being able to put in for quality buck and it goes up over 2200.  Now if you're lucky maybe every 5-7 years you might get drawn.

On top of that WDFW is inept enough in the management department to have 100 doe hunters in the field during that rut season, many of which I have run across that are even in the wrong unit.  If you want to harvest doe's and reduce numbers do it during the general.  Don't screw up a quality rut hunt with hunters that can harvest theirs earlier...period!

Most of those that end up putting in for 2nd through 4th choices don't have a clue as to the area or access.  Many of those tags go wasted.  Going down to 2 choices helps, but still makes odds higher than they should be.

It's not really the amount of choices that caused the problem you point out there; it is the multiple categories.

Maybe I'm missing something here but if you allow only one choice and in the unit I referred to historically 600 put in for 100 permits, then you allow 4 choices statewide and now you have 2200 putting in for the same 100 permits, its the specific unit applications that caused the problem, not the categories.  It was and is a 3 pt. of better or anterless permit.

[huntnphool]

On top of that WDFW is inept enough in the management department to have 100 doe hunters in the field during that rut season, many of which I have run across that are even in the wrong unit.  If you want to harvest doe's and reduce numbers do it during the general.  Don't screw up a quality rut hunt with hunters that can harvest theirs earlier...period!

I hear that. How about finally drawing that coveted "Quality" hunt tag after waiting 13-14+ years, only to find 25 "Buck" whitetail hunters inadvertantly walking around pushing the mule deer all over hell.

[bobcat]

Well maybe I should say that going to only one choice on app's wouldn't change anything for ME.

I don't apply for just one particular hunt every year. I look at the odds and apply for hunts that I have the best chance of drawing. (Because just about any special permit hunt is going to be better than a general season hunt)

I could see where the odds for certain permits may be slightly better if applicants were only allowed one choice. But odds for other permits would be worse.

The overall odds of drawing a permit would stay the same.

[Curly]

Maybe I'm missing something here but if you allow only one choice and in the unit I referred to historically 600 put in for 100 permits, then you allow 4 choices statewide and now you have 2200 putting in for the same 100 permits, its the specific unit applications that caused the problem, not the categories.  It was and is a 3 pt. of better or anterless permit.

I stand corrected. 

I just hate the category b.s. so much I guess I saw another chance to point it out and didn't think it through.

I just like the old way before categories started.  All they had to do was reduce the choices of units you could apply for and increase the price of the application fee by maybe double and they would have accomplished their goal of making more money and not screw up the pretty decent draw system that they already had.

[Wacenturion]

Well maybe I should say that going to only one choice on app's wouldn't change anything for ME.

I don't apply for just one particular hunt every year. I look at the odds and apply for hunts that I have the best chance of drawing. (Because just about any special permit hunt is going to be better than a general season hunt)

I could see where the odds for certain permits may be slightly better if applicants were only allowed one choice. But odds for other permits would be worse.

The overall odds of drawing a permit would stay the same.

What math are you using?  If you have 10,000 hunters putting in one choice and one choice only across the state for say 2500 tags you have 1 hunter in 4 theoretically drawing a permit.  That varies somewhat depending on unit.  If you have those same 10,000 hunters putting in four choices each for the same 2500 tags you essentially have 40,000 hunters putting in for those 2500 tags. 

The overall odds of drawing a permit definitely go up as I explained earlier in referring to my years of putting in for the same permit.

[huntnphool]

Well maybe I should say that going to only one choice on app's wouldn't change anything for ME.

I don't apply for just one particular hunt every year. I look at the odds and apply for hunts that I have the best chance of drawing. (Because just about any special permit hunt is going to be better than a general season hunt)

I could see where the odds for certain permits may be slightly better if applicantswere only allowed one choice. But odds for other permits would be worse.

The overall odds of drawing a permit would stay the same.

What math are you using?  If you have 10,000 hunters putting in one choice and one choice only across the state for say 2500 tags you have 1 hunter in 4 theoretically drawing a permit.  That varies somewhat depending on unit.  If you have those same 10,000 hunters putting in four choices each for the same 2500 tags you essentially have 40,000 hunters putting in for those 2500 tags. 

The overall odds of drawing a permit definitely go up as I explained earlier in referring to my years of putting in for the same permit.

save your breath brother, talking odds with Bobcat is a lesson in futility. 

[bobcat]

In the example of 10,000 permits and 2500 applicants-

It doesn't make any difference how the drawing is done, the odds are 1 in 4.

[jrebel]

How about everyone put in for GMU's they are familiar with and stop drawing tags they know nothing about then asking for everyone to help them.  This site has become notorious for his exact thing....and it is leading to more and more people putting in for places they are not familiar with.  It is also leading to people "prowling" (for lack of a better term) on here and using others info / stories / experiences to benefit themselves at the cost of others.  There are many great GMU's in this state to draw a special tag....look at some of the blacktail taken on the west side, or the mulies and whitetail on the east.  Do your homework people and stop asking for other to do it for you....   Why would anyone answere the OP original question....so everyone on this site can apply for those gmu's lessening the chance for people that know the area to draw.     

Mind you....I use to feel very different about this until this year.  There are many on this site that don't add anything and always want a handout.  There are others that act all high and mighty until their true colors shine.  I have learned my lesson the hard way and now changed my outlook.