HB 2199 Complimentary Discover Pass to Those Who Spend over $200

[Bob33]

Who could possibly be against this passing?

State Parks

Good point. It is definitely going to be a loss of revenue for all agencies involved. And since State Parks gets 84% of the revenue they will be the ones that complain the most. Every time the legislature proposes an exemption (vets, disabled, etc) State Parks is there to cry. 1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are funded by the Discover Pass 

They wouldn't get any less money from me since I won't buy one.

[huntnphool]

Who could possibly be against this passing?

State Parks

1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are funded by the Discover Pass 

Are those positions that were created as a result of the Discover Pass?

Yes. They are positions that are funded out of the 8% of Discover Pass funding that WDFW gets. Basically the way state funding works is you either get positions for a specific role (the most typical route) or you just get positions. Since these positions were funded by the DP, WDFW must then "certify" that the equivalent of 1 or 2 officer's time is spent on enforcing Discover Pass regulations. Now this doesn't mean if an officer's position is funded by the DP that all they can do is enforce DP, what it means is as a whole the agency must enforce DP to the equivalent of one position. WDFW Officers work 171 hours a month. So if the Discover Pass funded one WDFW Officer position, then statewide WDFW Officers must work 171 hours of DP a month, if it's two positions then its 342 hours a month.

Now this isn't dedicated only thing enforced is DP time. A WDFW Officer pulling into a lake with a WDFW boat launch who checks vehicles AND fisherman at the same time can account his time to the DP enforcement time. So when you really think about it, getting 171 hours of DP time a month is VERY easy.

Thank you for the explanation.

[BIGINNER]

I am for it if its $200 for the year, not at once.    I'm always on a tight budget, so I buy my smallgame and bird licenses and fishing license in april, nut I don't buy big game until near the end of the summer when I know for sure if i'll do any big game hunting.

[huntnphool]

I am for it if its $200 for the year, not at once.    I'm always on a tight budget, so I buy my smallgame and bird licenses and fishing license in april, nut I don't buy big game until near the end of the summer when I know for sure if i'll do any big game hunting.

So I will pose the same question in post #25 to you too.

[jackmaster]

i voted yes, but it would have to ionclude any money my family spent on licenses, because i am on the low end compared to some, but between me, my daughter and my son after buying tags and permit apps we are around 400 dollars, so if they mean over 200 in the house hold, then yeah i could agree with it, of course i also think that it should be free to sportsman that buy a huntn or fishn license, NO ONE gives more than the SPORTSMEN   

[SquirrelHunter]

Im for this but would like to see an exception for the disabled hunters, to get everything I would hunt for during the year it would cost me $117.65 include my wife it would be about $150.00 if bought at once under the disability fees. If I bought these under resident fees it would be about $300.00, So it would be nice to see a reduced total required for the extra pass so those who pay less due to reduced fees can take part in the deal as well.

[Blacklab]

Oh heck yeah 

It would save me a couple  . Which is always a good thing

[huntnphool]

Im for this but would like to see an exception for the disabled hunters, to get everything I would hunt for during the year it would cost me $117.65 include my wife it would be about $150.00 if bought at once under the disability fees. If I bought these under resident fees it would be about $300.00, So it would be nice to see a reduced total required for the extra pass so those who pay less due to reduced fees can take part in the deal as well.

Good idea.

[NRA4LIFE]

This is another ploy to make more money for the WDFW.  Think of this.  The only way I could get over $200 is if I buy all my big game licenses, special permit apps. and fishing licenses at the same time.  Special permit applications are not available until around April 22nd.  My fishing license expires on March 31st.  That means for about 3 weeks I cannot do any fishing or clamming unless I purchase temp. licenses and/or a razor clam license.  Which equals more money I have to spend.  Some of the best razor clamming tides fall in those 3 weeks usually.  And what about those folks who buy all their stuff and reach $180 or so.  Guess what?  A lot of them are going to spring for an extra special permit application or two to get over $200.  Another form of more money.  This is no good as far as I'm concerned.

[bobcat]

I'd have to vote no on this one. At first it sounded good, but it doesn't seem fair to require that $200 be spent at once. So some could get a free Discover pass, while others would not. It also would not be fair for the purchase of licenses for multiple people to count towards the $200.

If they want to reward those who by hunting and/or fishing licenses, just make it so the WDFW pass is also valid on DNR land.

For state parks the Discover pass should be required either way.

[BIGINNER]

I'd have to vote no on this one. At first it sounded good, but it doesn't seem fair to require that $200 be spent at once. So some could get a free Discover pass, while others would not. It also would not be fair for the purchase of licenses for multiple people to count towards the $200.

If they want to reward those who by hunting and/or fishing licenses, just make it so the WDFW pass is also valid on DNR land.

For state parks the Discover pass should be required either way.

 

[BIGINNER]

I am for it if its $200 for the year, not at once.    I'm always on a tight budget, so I buy my smallgame and bird licenses and fishing license in april, nut I don't buy big game until near the end of the summer when I know for sure if i'll do any big game hunting.

So I will pose the same question in post #25 to you too.

why not just pass something that works for more people?  I don't like supporting half-ass garbage

[huntnphool]

I am for it if its $200 for the year, not at once.    I'm always on a tight budget, so I buy my smallgame and bird licenses and fishing license in april, nut I don't buy big game until near the end of the summer when I know for sure if i'll do any big game hunting.

So I will pose the same question in post #25 to you too.

why not just pass something that works for more people?  I don't like supporting half-ass garbage

I agree, but you didn't state that in your other post so I was just wondering.

[Whitpirate]

Who could possibly be against this passing?

State Parks

Good point. It is definitely going to be a loss of revenue for all agencies involved. And since State Parks gets 84% of the revenue they will be the ones that complain the most. Every time the legislature proposes an exemption (vets, disabled, etc) State Parks is there to cry. 1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are funded by the Discover Pass 

Start citing the bird-watchers, hikers, etc.... I'm confident the increase in fines would be greater than the loss of hunting Discover Pass or are you saying basically that the hunting community supports the damn thing?

[buckfvr]

SHould be free with a hunting license...........period.  How can a screw job become complimentary after 200 bucks