State Parks Will Be Enforcing WDFW/Discover Pass Laws at Oak Creek Wildlife Area

[bigtex]

In December 2013 WDFW signed an agreement with State Parks which will essentially hand over the enforcement responsibility of enforcing the WDFW/Discover Pass at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area from 12/2013 to 03/2014.

There was a post on here last year about a State Park Ranger citing people at Oak Creek for no pass, even though the Ranger wasn't on State Park lands.. Such agreements allow this to happen.

[Band]

The Idiot Pass didn't exist last time I visited the Oak Creek feeding station.  I guess I've made my last trip there.  I will not buy the Idiot Pass.

Maybe I'll make up a rule that government employees who park on my property without a Band Pass (modestly priced at $200) will be cited and fined $1,000.  Why not?

[Special T]

Does the WDFW acess pass allow you to go there?

[bigtex]

Does the WDFW acess pass allow you to go there?

Yes.

It is a WDFW Wildlife Area. State Parks will simply be doing the pass enforcement.

[ICEMAN]

Will tribal members going there be required to have the pass?   

[David Y]

The Idiot Pass didn't exist last time I visited the Oak Creek feeding station.  I guess I've made my last trip there.  I will not buy the Idiot Pass.

Maybe I'll make up a rule that government employees who park on my property without a Band Pass (modestly priced at $200) will be cited and fined $1,000.  Why not?

I think we got a free one with our hunting licenses, or is this a different pass? 

[Band]

The Idiot Pass didn't exist last time I visited the Oak Creek feeding station.  I guess I've made my last trip there.  I will not buy the Idiot Pass.

Maybe I'll make up a rule that government employees who park on my property without a Band Pass (modestly priced at $200) will be cited and fined $1,000.  Why not?

I think we got a free one with our hunting licenses, or is this a different pass? 

I'm talking about the Discover Pass, which you have to pay for.  The problem is that there are so many "cash grab" passes that a person needs to buy every pass he can find, display them all just in case one or more of them is required somewhere out in the woods on public land, and hope he doesn't get cited.

[McCRIZZLEY]

You get a WDFW pass with your hunting licenses, but it does not cover everything. Just hunting/fishing spots. Discover pass is another 30 bones a year and covers most recreation spots. I think state parks and forests. But not national parks or forests.

[bigtex]

You get a WDFW pass with your hunting licenses, but it does not cover everything. Just hunting/fishing spots. Discover pass is another 30 bones a year and covers most recreation spots. I think state parks and forests. But not national parks or forests.

If you are hunting on DNR lands you still need the Discover Pass. The WDFW pass is only applicable on WDFW lands.

[McCRIZZLEY]

EXACTLY!

I forgot about that!

[rosscrazyelk]

Wonder if the elk will even need to come down this year?

As far as the pass goes they should make two passes
 One state one federal instead of the multitude there is now.

[PlateauNDN]

Will tribal members going there be required to have the pass?   

Not for Yakamas,  Ceded Area.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 And there aren't any obvious physical differences or traits between a Yakama, or any tribe from the wetside huh?

[fireweed]

was there last year at "elk feeding 1:30" and a STATE PARK rig shows up for the feeding hour and starts writing down license plates and slapping fliers on cars.  There is no way to buy a DP at the site.  So I confronted the employee to see is she was up too--passing out tickets, or information.  Both (mostly info) I think she might have been selling them too.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Bigtex wrote:  If you are hunting on DNR lands you still need the Discover Pass. The WDFW pass is only applicable on WDFW lands.


You can hunt on DNR lands without a discover pass if you don't drive on DNR land. Is that correct??   So you could park on the highway and walk into the feeding area without a pass...correct?

[ChadH]

So the wife and I were there last weekend (sheep station briefly). From what I gather on the Parks website EITHER the Access Pass OR the Discover Pass work. Am I missing something? Here is the link, on both sides of the page (left side under "parking information" looks most official, the right side could just be an ad), Also, as you enter the parking lot the regular state park sign that says "Discover Pass Required" in big bold letters, followed by "or access pass" in little tiny letters, is posted.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/oak_creek/

But then on the Local Chamber Of Commerce website it says:

"Discover Pass Required": http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/info/elkfeeding.html

I went with "The Acces Pass is fine"... since there weren't any elk to see. The sheep still show up about 10 am every morning, though, to see if any one is going to bother to feed them today... 

[bobcat]

Yes, either pass will work. That's why the title of this thread says :  WDFW/Discover pass.

So if you're a hunter it doesn't cost you any extra to go see the elk at the feeding station. But if you're not a hunter you need to buy the Discover pass. Seems fair to me.

And yes, if you don't have a pass you could park somewhere other than on WDFW land, and walk in to see the elk.

[ChadH]

Yes, either pass will work. That's why the title of this thread says :  WDFW/Discover pass.

So if you're a hunter it doesn't cost you any extra to go see the elk at the feeding station. But if you're not a hunter you need to buy the Discover pass. Seems fair to me.

And yes, if you don't have a pass you could park somewhere other than on WDFW land, and walk in to see the elk.

Thats what I thought Bobcat... it seemed like everyone was getting all worked up about the DP being required. I admit I am "new" to this state (3 years) and still confused half the time so thought I'd ask.

[bigtex]

Bigtex wrote:  If you are hunting on DNR lands you still need the Discover Pass. The WDFW pass is only applicable on WDFW lands.


You can hunt on DNR lands without a discover pass if you don't drive on DNR land. Is that correct??   So you could park on the highway and walk into the feeding area without a pass...correct?

As long as you are not parked on DNR land you wont need the Discover Pass

[ICEMAN]

Bigtex wrote:  If you are hunting on DNR lands you still need the Discover Pass. The WDFW pass is only applicable on WDFW lands.


You can hunt on DNR lands without a discover pass if you don't drive on DNR land. Is that correct??   So you could park on the highway and walk into the feeding area without a pass...correct?

As long as you are not parked on DNR land you wont need the Discover Pass

Bigtex, what would the state patrol think of folks parking their cars on the highway edge at oakcreek, attempting to avoid purchasing a pass/avoiding a fine...?

[bigtex]

WSP doesn't care as long as you are off of the road and not creating a hazard.

[ICEMAN]

WSP doesn't care as long as you are off of the road and not creating a hazard.

Well, looks like we need to pass legislation to force folks to park and pay, similar to the "no parking lot=no fishing" legislation attempt this session... 

[bigtex]

WSP doesn't care as long as you are off of the road and not creating a hazard.

Well, looks like we need to pass legislation to force folks to park and pay, similar to the "no parking lot=no fishing" legislation attempt this session... 

Happens all the time. Come summer time go to WDFW Fishing Access sites and you'll see people parking just outside the fence/gate because they don't have a pass.

[ICEMAN]

Yep, seen it. I grew up living on a lake in Western Washington. Come hot weather, the fishermen who paid for the access through years of license fees were pushed out of the boat ramps and parking areas by jackwagons on jet skiis and white trash swimming in front of the ramp. Maddening.

This perpetual push for differing legislation all designed to gather funds from all citizens is getting to me. Not sure what the perfect answer is, but we have ignored protecting those who have paid in the past for these improvements and sites. IMHO, jetskis and non-hunter visitors to sites like these should take a backseat to those who have supported these access points and sites for years. (?)

[MarkyMark]

And don't even get me started with the kayakers who take 30 minutes to launch their "boat"...