The absurdity of WDFW draw system

[npaull]

With more land becoming private, leased, posted, windmills, etc. it is putting too many people in an area and turning the hunting experience into an opening morning hunt

This, in my mind, is the fundamental threat to hunting, not just in Washington but everywhere. Which is why it is so distressing to me to see many hunters opposing the creation of new wilderness areas. Wilderness areas are the best thing that can happen for hunting, in my opinion. But I digress.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I agree it should be draw only for mule deer. Which would probably mean draw only for ALL deer, or most deer anyway. Since doing away with general seasons for mule deer would end up putting a lot more pressure on whitetail deer and blacktail deer.

Not if putting in for drawings meant you couldn't hunt the general seasons. Make that a rule for mule deer and all quality bull/buck hunts.  You might not get drawn every year, but when you do, you have a shot at something special. 

[huntnphool]

You might not get drawn every year, but when you do, you have a shot at something special.

The problem is there are a lot of people that don't care about a shot at something special, they are only concerned with being allowed to hunt every year.

[buckhorn2]

Idaho might only have 200 people putting in for 15 moose permits but only 1 and at most 2 non-residents can be drawn it;s 10 percent of the tags to non-residents or 1 and a half non-residents drawn each year we have put in ever year for years and we have been drawn twice.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

You might not get drawn every year, but when you do, you have a shot at something special.

The problem is there are a lot of people that don't care about a shot at something special, they are only concerned with being allowed to hunt every year.

So they hunt the general hunt. Life is full of choices.

[sakoshooter]

I agree it should be draw only for mule deer. Which would probably mean draw only for ALL deer, or most deer anyway. Since doing away with general seasons for mule deer would end up putting a lot more pressure on whitetail deer and blacktail deer.

I disagree. Many hunters simply want to hunt together w/friends & family every year. Making it draw only would break up all those groups and make people look at out of state tags or worse - give up hunting all together. If it was a draw, there are much better places to apply than here in WA. If you ask me, there are way too many special tags available now for mule deer hunts just so the WDFW can get extra money from the application process and the mult-season licenses. The harvest from all these special tags takes away from the general season. All for the sake of the almighty dollar$$$.

[bobcat]

I disagree. Many hunters simply want to hunt together w/friends & family every year. Making it draw only would break up all those groups and make people look at out of state tags or worse - give up hunting all together. If it was a draw, there are much better places to apply than here in WA. If you ask me, there are way too many special tags available now for mule deer hunts just so the WDFW can get extra money from the application process and the mult-season licenses. The harvest from all these special tags takes away from the general season. All for the sake of the almight dollar$$$.

I realize it's what many hunters WANT, but what's the point if there is nothing to hunt? Theoretically these groups of people could still get together at the same time every year, and go on a camping trip. Right? They could bring a camera instead of a gun (maybe try for some wolf photographs.) Or instead of hunting deer like they're accustomed to, hunt predators (bobcats, coyotes, cougar, bear.)

Or like you said, hunt deer in another state.

[huntnphool]

I disagree. Many hunters simply want to hunt together w/friends & family every year. Making it draw only would break up all those groups and make people look at out of state tags or worse - give up hunting all together. If it was a draw, there are much better places to apply than here in WA. If you ask me, there are way too many special tags available now for mule deer hunts just so the WDFW can get extra money from the application process and the mult-season licenses. The harvest from all these special tags takes away from the general season. All for the sake of the almight dollar$$$.

I realize it's what many hunters WANT, but what's the point if there is nothing to hunt? Theoretically these groups of people could still get together at the same time every year, and go on a camping trip. Right? They could bring a camera instead of a gun (maybe try for some wolf photographs.) Or instead of hunting deer like they're accustomed to, hunt predators (bobcats, coyotes, cougar, bear.)

Or like you said, hunt deer in another state.

That makes too much sense though Bob, those type of hunters will not understand until its too late.

[RC3]

It really makes no sense whats best, better or right.  They will only make changes that make them more money and they will keep raising the permit app fees until the revenue goes down.

[snowpack]

With more land becoming private, leased, posted, windmills, etc. it is putting too many people in an area and turning the hunting experience into an opening morning hunt

This, in my mind, is the fundamental threat to hunting, not just in Washington but everywhere. Which is why it is so distressing to me to see many hunters opposing the creation of new wilderness areas. Wilderness areas are the best thing that can happen for hunting, in my opinion. But I digress.

So, I'm not advocating for more private land, but from having hunted in states with more private than here and more hunters/population, all of them as far as I can recall had cheaper license/tags, more tags per person, fewer 'other' restrictions, longer (much in cases) seasons and tended to have much higher success rates.  I didn't sense it as being the opening morning hunt.  Never saw the combat/competiveness in hunting until on public land/severely restricted states.  Just saying, based off experience.

[huntnphool]

they will keep raising the permit app fees until the revenue goes down.

They will raise them past that point as well. You have to remember that this is state ran by Democrats, who's solution to everything is increase revenue.

[elk247]

I disagree. Many hunters simply want to hunt together w/friends & family every year. Making it draw only would break up all those groups and make people look at out of state tags or worse - give up hunting all together. If it was a draw, there are much better places to apply than here in WA. If you ask me, there are way too many special tags available now for mule deer hunts just so the WDFW can get extra money from the application process and the mult-season licenses. The harvest from all these special tags takes away from the general season. All for the sake of the almight dollar$$$.

I realize it's what many hunters WANT, but what's the point if there is nothing to hunt? Theoretically these groups of people could still get together at the same time every year, and go on a camping trip. Right? They could bring a camera instead of a gun (maybe try for some wolf photographs.) Or instead of hunting deer like they're accustomed to, hunt predators (bobcats, coyotes, cougar, bear.)

Or like you said, hunt deer in another state.

What? Hunt with a camera? Go camping instead? I usually tend to agree with you but this is crazy. It seems like all your concerned with is hunting horn. Some people do enjoy hunting with thier family. My dad and uncle taught me to hunt. I still hunt with them even if they are older now and cant get around like they used to. I belive in paying it foward so i will continue to pack out thier animals. Im also happy that my son is able to learn the wealth of hunting/life lessons that only hunting camp can provide.

[sakoshooter]

I disagree. Many hunters simply want to hunt together w/friends & family every year. Making it draw only would break up all those groups and make people look at out of state tags or worse - give up hunting all together. If it was a draw, there are much better places to apply than here in WA. If you ask me, there are way too many special tags available now for mule deer hunts just so the WDFW can get extra money from the application process and the mult-season licenses. The harvest from all these special tags takes away from the general season. All for the sake of the almight dollar$$$.

I realize it's what many hunters WANT, but what's the point if there is nothing to hunt? Theoretically these groups of people could still get together at the same time every year, and go on a camping trip. Right? They could bring a camera instead of a gun (maybe try for some wolf photographs.) Or instead of hunting deer like they're accustomed to, hunt predators (bobcats, coyotes, cougar, bear.)

Or like you said, hunt deer in another state.

What? Hunt with a camera? Go camping instead? I usually tend to agree with you but this is crazy. It seems like all your concerned with is hunting horn. Some people do enjoy hunting with thier family. My dad and uncle taught me to hunt. I still hunt with them even if they are older now and cant get around like they used to. I belive in paying it foward so i will continue to pack out thier animals. Im also happy that my son is able to learn the wealth of hunting/life lessons that only hunting camp can provide.

Not counting Master Hunter tags, last year alone there were 9107 special deer tags available thru the WDFW draw in Wa. Tell me it's not about the money!
In 2011 the WDFW made just under $1,000,000.00 from Multi Season tags. This last year they doubled that.
If the concern is actually about the number of deer available, let's cut down on all the late season tags during the rut and all the antlerless tags. How about the deprevation tags to farmers that won't even allow hunting on their property. I'd say there are much better ways of increasing opportunity and deer numbers without making the general season a draw.

[skywalker253]

I disagree. Many hunters simply want to hunt together w/friends & family every year. Making it draw only would break up all those groups and make people look at out of state tags or worse - give up hunting all together. If it was a draw, there are much better places to apply than here in WA. If you ask me, there are way too many special tags available now for mule deer hunts just so the WDFW can get extra money from the application process and the mult-season licenses. The harvest from all these special tags takes away from the general season. All for the sake of the almight dollar$$$.

I realize it's what many hunters WANT, but what's the point if there is nothing to hunt? Theoretically these groups of people could still get together at the same time every year, and go on a camping trip. Right? They could bring a camera instead of a gun (maybe try for some wolf photographs.) Or instead of hunting deer like they're accustomed to, hunt predators (bobcats, coyotes, cougar, bear.)

Or like you said, hunt deer in another state.

What? Hunt with a camera? Go camping instead? I usually tend to agree with you but this is crazy. It seems like all your concerned with is hunting horn. Some people do enjoy hunting with thier family. My dad and uncle taught me to hunt. I still hunt with them even if they are older now and cant get around like they used to. I belive in paying it foward so i will continue to pack out thier animals. Im also happy that my son is able to learn the wealth of hunting/life lessons that only hunting camp can provide.

I could not agree with you more. Go on a camping trip? Go search for wolves to take photos? Are you serious Bobby Kitten? I'm trying to determine who is more strong in their opinions. Bobby "I tell it like it is" Kitten or Huntn "I know everything about everything" Phool. Bobby Kitten is by far the most negative person on Hunt-Wa, but I love your style because you tend to go aganist the majority. I love that about you. Huntnphool is by far the self proclaimed "genius" of hunting. He is the guy that goes to all the sportsman shows to tell his "Fish Stories" of hunting. I read his posts and get embarassed for the guy. I feel bad....somebody needs to pull this guy aside and let him know he comes off like a "Meatball" in this forum. The famous "Lock the Gates" thread was the thread of the year. LMFAO....

[skywalker253]

How about STOP paying land owners for game damages, who are SUPPOSE to open up their land to the public for submitting damage claims. In the end they open up a minimal portion of land, which generally has NO game on it to satisfy the game department requirements. In the meantime they recieve land owner permits and harvest game in the areas, which the public should be hunting in the first place. What a waste of the game departments budget.