The absurdity of WDFW draw system

[skywalker253]

I like our current system; however based off the posts in this topic, I don't feel (like many others) that a applicant with high points has much of an advantage in the draw. Too many applicants with a high number of points.

I think part of it is that most focus on permits for a handful of areas--2 that really get the most applicants.  They could apply with little competition to other hunt choices.  Some good hunts too.  But human nature...get attached to points and think more points = more value = need to be used on the higher 'trophy' hunt choice.

I agree. I suppose the applicant would have to place a value on the hunting experience they can expect; if drawn. I think that is one of the reasons why so many people apply there. I decided I will buy a multi season application and hope I get drawn. A cow and a spike are equally rewarding, but I would prefer to get a nice branched antlered bull on the westside. If I get drawn, then I will put in 110% but I am not banking on it. I will shoot the first nice bull I see. I don't care about showing off my bull at the sportsman show or any of that kind of stuff. I'm not picky.

[Hrdcorh2ofowler]

Can't wait till I draw, then giving up hunting in Washington all together. I only put in for quality elk now, don't draw don't hunt. This state likes to line it's pockets far to much for me to handle anymore. Everything they do is supposed to be for the hunter, i think not. I have quit hunting a lot of stuff I used to hunt since I was twelve, not much fun anymore and way to costly, they have taken the wind out of my sails. I work with several guys that feel the same way as I do, one of my buddies has max and hasn't drawn a WA permit for anything since they went to the point system, and only 2 before that. He is disgusted with state and has given up. At least with some states you at least draw after so many years.

[huntnnw]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

[JLS]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

There would be some major league conniption fits from hunters if this were proposed. 

[bobcat]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

All the tough to draw hunts would still be tough to draw. But I guess it would be fine with me. I'd be ok only applying for moose for the next 20 years. You're right though, it would never happen. Two reasons- less revenue to the WDFW, and it really wouldn't be fair, changing the rules in the middle of the game.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

All the tough to draw hunts would still be tough to draw. But I guess it would be fine with me. I'd be ok only applying for moose for the next 20 years. You're right though, it would never happen. Two reasons- less revenue to the WDFW, and it really wouldn't be fair, changing the rules in the middle of the game.

Ahhhh but they did change the rules when they created the new categories and let the points carry over to all categories instead of making people earn them by applying. Was that fair?

[Houndhunter]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

All the tough to draw hunts would still be tough to draw. But I guess it would be fine with me. I'd be ok only applying for moose for the next 20 years. You're right though, it would never happen. Two reasons- less revenue to the WDFW, and it really wouldn't be fair, changing the rules in the middle of the game.

Ahhhh but they did change the rules when they created the new categories and let the points carry over to all categories instead of making people earn them by applying. Was that fair?

No...... Good point

[loper]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

There would be some major league conniption fits from hunters if this were proposed.

It was one of the proposals under discussion at the WDFW season setting public meetings held in August/September of 2008; it received a number of negative comments from those in attendance at the Vancouver meeting, specifically from those who didn't want their hunting opportunity restricted in any way

[idahohuntr]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

There would be some major league conniption fits from hunters if this were proposed.

Maybe...but I think people would actually realize its a much better system in that lower quality tags would not take so long to draw.  Right now, there is not as much difference in draw odds as most states for antlerless tags relative to quality tags given that everybody can put in for darn near everything (several categories and several choices in each category).  Most states you get one, maybe two elk choices...not 10 like WA (2 quality, 4 bull, 4 antlerless).  Under a limited app system guys that want to meat hunt have much better odds at cow tags, and yes, high quality bull tags are still going to be tough...but odds would improve a little....how much is anyones guess.

[huntnnw]

just look at ID draw odds for animals...there sheep units are dbl digit applicants one is almost 50% draw..all across the board moose, goat and even the good deer and elk units are nothing like WA applicant numbers

[bobcat]

just look at ID draw odds for animals...there sheep units are dbl digit applicants one is almost 50% draw..all across the board moose, goat and even the good deer and elk units are nothing like WA applicant numbers

Idaho also has a much lower human population than us, and a much higher number of animals.

[JLS]

there is one simple change to this whole system pick bucks and bulls or OIL tag cant apply in both...increased odds instantly,but no way out WDFW would allow something like this..they wouldnt get money

There would be some major league conniption fits from hunters if this were proposed.

Maybe...but I think people would actually realize its a much better system in that lower quality tags would not take so long to draw.  Right now, there is not as much difference in draw odds as most states for antlerless tags relative to quality tags given that everybody can put in for darn near everything (several categories and several choices in each category).  Most states you get one, maybe two elk choices...not 10 like WA (2 quality, 4 bull, 4 antlerless).  Under a limited app system guys that want to meat hunt have much better odds at cow tags, and yes, high quality bull tags are still going to be tough...but odds would improve a little....how much is anyones guess.

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with you.  I've thought the special permit process was a load of crap from the day it went to the multiple choice sham it is now.  The cow elk/moose applicants really took it in the shorts on that one.

I'm just saying in general, folks would have a cow.  Look how many are already wailing that "it's not fair".

It's kind of ironic how by "not wanting to restrict their hunting opportunity", folks basically made it unattainable. 

So be it.

[JLS]

just look at ID draw odds for animals...there sheep units are dbl digit applicants one is almost 50% draw..all across the board moose, goat and even the good deer and elk units are nothing like WA applicant numbers

Idaho also has a much lower human population than us, and a much higher number of animals.

If you took total population of hunters in Idaho and Washington, I'm betting they won't be all that different.

[huntnnw]

Be willing to bet there is a far greater number of Non res hunting ID than WA

[bobcat]

just look at ID draw odds for animals...there sheep units are dbl digit applicants one is almost 50% draw..all across the board moose, goat and even the good deer and elk units are nothing like WA applicant numbers

Idaho also has a much lower human population than us, and a much higher number of animals.

If you took total population of hunters in Idaho and Washington, I'm betting they won't be all that different.

That's possible, but I bet they have a lot more permits available. We have just over 100 moose permits. How many does Idaho have? What about bighorn sheep?

I'm not trying to say Idaho's "system", or lack thereof, is not the best thing going. It is.

It's just that now that we have our points system, there really is no going back.