WDFW Vehicle Access Pass Legislation 3/11 Update

[pianoman9701]

Bigtex, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[bigtex]

A common trend I see is people saying "if fees go up, I am going to quit hunting or fishing". Well here is the Fiscal year 2012 WDFW license report that includes data up to June 30, 2012:

Fishing license revenue UP 25.8% From 20,012,913 in FY 11 to 25,168,304 in FY 12
Hunting license revenue UP 14.2% from 14,640,812 in FY 11 to 16,725,155 in FY 12

Individual participation for fishing went from 710,066 in FY 11 to 750,224 in FY 12
Individual participation for hunting went from 190,804 in FY 11 to 183,685 in FY 12. 6,000 of those hunters were lost due to special permit hunts.

The whole "speak with your checkbook" saying isn't working when fishing revenue goes up 25.8% in a year and hunting revenue is up 14.2% in one year.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=wdfw%20license%20sales%20reveune&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwdfw.wa.gov%2Fcommission%2Fmeetings%2F2012%2F08%2Faug0412_03_license_sales_revenue_rpt.pdf&ei=bXP4UNj0DIL5igLuw4B4&usg=AFQjCNGJYjJFWnrVb914ps2csPk-C_En1A&bvm=bv.41248874,d.cGE

[sirmissalot]

This IS going to be an uphill battle 1) there is currently only one sponsor to this bill, usually the more sponsors the better the chance the bill has of passing 2) there is going to be a significant amount of loss revenue, where are they going to make that up at?

A few years ago, I didn't have to pay for a pass to go to these areas.  Now, I do.  That results in a significant (for me) loss of funds . .  where am I going to make up for that?

Exactly. I guess I'm old fashioned, but I'm really surprised to hear some of you say you support paying to use state parks. I don't mean to camp there, but to go there. I just feel like I pay enough taxes and fees, especially as a sportsman, that going and having lunch at the local park should be "free" as a washington state resident, with a vehicle access pass pasted to my wind shield. Tax tax tax tax tax tax tax, fees fees and more fees, then charge a fee to use a parking lot at a park.

[Bob33]

A common trend I see is people saying "if fees go up, I am going to quit hunting or fishing".

Individual participation for hunting went from 190,804 in FY 11 to 183,685 in FY 12. 6,000 of those hunters were lost due to special permit hunts.

It would appear that based on your data that indeed that is exactly what is happening with hunters. Hunter numbers did drop, by nearly four percent in one year.

I suspect the response to that will be to increase license costs further to make up the shortfall.

[Curly]

I'd probably even buy a discover pass and start using the State Parks again if this passes.  I'm fine with pay to play.  The main reason I haven't and won't is out of spite...

I think that sentiment is probably shared by many hunters, and thus there would be some additional revenues that may not be considered should this occur. It's a slap in the face to hunters to have to pay twice.

I'll probably buy a DP too if this passes.  I will definitely write a letter.

[bigtex]

A common trend I see is people saying "if fees go up, I am going to quit hunting or fishing".

Individual participation for hunting went from 190,804 in FY 11 to 183,685 in FY 12. 6,000 of those hunters were lost due to special permit hunts.

It would appear that based on your data that indeed that is exactly what is happening with hunters. Hunter numbers did drop, by nearly four percent in one year.

I suspect the response to that will be to increase license costs further to make up the shortfall.

We need to remember WDFW isn't just a hunter agency. Fishing gets both more revenue and participation. It's not the old Game or Wildlife Dept anymore. And even though hunter #s dropped, hunter revenue still increased.

[Bob33]

A common trend I see is people saying "if fees go up, I am going to quit hunting or fishing".

Individual participation for hunting went from 190,804 in FY 11 to 183,685 in FY 12. 6,000 of those hunters were lost due to special permit hunts.

It would appear that based on your data that indeed that is exactly what is happening with hunters. Hunter numbers did drop, by nearly four percent in one year.

I suspect the response to that will be to increase license costs further to make up the shortfall.

We need to remember WDFW isn't just a hunter agency. Fishing gets both more revenue and participation. It's not the old Game or Wildlife Dept anymore. And even though hunter #s dropped, hunter revenue still increased.

Unfortunately you are correct. The mission of WDFW is "To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities."

That includes not only fishing but recreational activities such as wildlife viewing (i.e. wolves). It is my sense that hunting is becoming less and less of a factor in their decision making processes.

[huntrights]

Nationally, hunter numbers are up according the USFWS 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation National Overview.  I am not sure what the numbers are for Washington state; where can we get those?

http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/cdm/ref/collection/document/id/859#img_view_container


More stats from the NSSF:

http://www.nssf.org/PDF/HuntingLicTrends-NatlRpt.pdf

See the attachments below:

[bigtex]

A common trend I see is people saying "if fees go up, I am going to quit hunting or fishing".

Individual participation for hunting went from 190,804 in FY 11 to 183,685 in FY 12. 6,000 of those hunters were lost due to special permit hunts.

It would appear that based on your data that indeed that is exactly what is happening with hunters. Hunter numbers did drop, by nearly four percent in one year.

I suspect the response to that will be to increase license costs further to make up the shortfall.

We need to remember WDFW isn't just a hunter agency. Fishing gets both more revenue and participation. It's not the old Game or Wildlife Dept anymore. And even though hunter #s dropped, hunter revenue still increased.

Unfortunately you are correct. The mission of WDFW is "To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities."

That includes not only fishing but recreational activities such as wildlife viewing (i.e. wolves). It is my sense that hunting is becoming less and less of a factor in their decision making processes.

Hunter numbers are declining on a national level: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-3228893.html

I am willing to bet most of us got into hunting in our teens, or even before. I personally just think videogames, movies, computers, etc are much more appealing to our youth then being out in the outdoors hunting is. So less people are "getting into it" 

[huntrights]

Hunter numbers are declining on a national level: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-3228893.html

I am willing to bet most of us got into hunting in our teens, or even before. I personally just think videogames, movies, computers, etc are much more appealing to our youth then being out in the outdoors hunting is. So less people are "getting into it" 

That article is from 2009
February 11, 2009, 4:17 PM


Where can we find the numbers for Washington State?

[bobcat]

The biggest factor is probably the distance many people have to drive just to get to a place where they can hunt.

[huntrights]

Well this is a pretty simple bill that was introduced today.

Senate Bill 5080 would allow holders of the WDFW access pass to ALSO access DNR lands with the WDFW Pass. Essentially meaning the only areas hunters/fishers couldn't go without purchasing a Discover Pass is State Parks.

As of right now there is only ONE sponsor for this bill, Republican Senator Doug Erickson. If you want this bill to pass I highly suggest you contact your state Senator to either a) support the bill, or b) become a co-sponsor. As of right now there is no similar bill in the House.

http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=5080&year=2013

Remember the original goal of this thread: Support Senate Bill 5080.

[Bob33]

According to the most recent USFWS survey completed in 2011, hunter numbers are increasing, not decreasing:

"Hunting participation increased 9% from 2006 to 2011. The numbers of big game hunters rose 8%, migratory bird hunters increased 13%, and hunters seeking other animals increased by 92%. The number of small game hunters declined 6%, which is not statistically significant. Total hunting-related spending increased between 2006 and 2011. There was a 30% increase over the five-year period. Purchases of hunting equipment such as guns, decoys, and ammunition increased 29%. The category with the biggest increase was land leasing and ownership with 50%. Trip-related spending was up 39%."

http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/cdm/ref/collection/document/id/859

[bigtex]

Hunter numbers are declining on a national level: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-3228893.html

I am willing to bet most of us got into hunting in our teens, or even before. I personally just think videogames, movies, computers, etc are much more appealing to our youth then being out in the outdoors hunting is. So less people are "getting into it" 

That article is from 2009

February 11, 2009, 4:17 PM

Where can we find the numbers for Washington State?

I posted it in my link. From FY 11 - 12 hunter numbers were down

[Curly]

Many factors caused hunters to skip this last year:

1. Cost of gas to go hunting has increased greatly.
2. Cost of hunting licenses and permit fees have gone up.
3. Requiring a Discover Pass to access DNR lands.
4. Some of the decisions by WDFW that make it seem like they don't appreciate hunters.  (Wolf plan that is plain stupid).

All these things add up and cause some people to just say screw it.   Now, most on this site are die-hard hunters and will still go even if frustrated by a lot of the above items, but others that are not so gung-ho will give up.