Free: Contests & Raffles.
Yes and no. Peace of mind that there is more season to come. I have bought it TWICE and needed it NIETHER time. Thats not the WDFWs fault. Problems I think are happening....you have more bowhunters in the field that aren't proficient with their weapon. More injured deer, etc.
I've drawn and bought the tag 5 out of 6 years. I just love getting out so it's nice to have a tag if that buck of a lifetime strolls by and you're carrying the weapon of choice for the season. I've had tag soup for 2 of those years just because I got a bit selective and couldn't seal the deal late in the season. I've yet to get one this year but I've passed on a few bucks and a whole ton of does. I'm heading out in the A.M. to try for a big buck I saw 2 weeks ago just before first light. Hopefully he'll come by my stand chasing a doe but if he doesn't that will be OK.
I think its well worth it the main reason being i love being in the woods hunting,the other being i can apply for rifle and muzzle quallity hunts but if i dont draw one i can still hunt archery.had twin boys in march so didnt apply for it this year thinking i wouldn't have the time to use it. regreted it alot of the season. you get a day here or a weekend there to go.worked out but spent those times i would've been hunting to go scouting instead. made for a short hunt.I'll be applying next year