Don't waste your time!!!!

[backcountry55]

So I drew the Gardner unit for cougar permit! Took two days off work drove straight thru for 7 hours got there yesterday at 4:00am with 2 inches fresh snow my unit was about 2 mile square off sagebrush I counted I think 20 pine trees the rest of the 2 miles square was private what a f---ing joke!!!! You guys were all mad you didn't get drawn you can have mine I'm done with this state!!!! Oh ya then drove home 7 more hours and 2 mt passes towing snowmobiles and hounds! Biologist called me on the way home I said who came up with the boundaries it's a joke he said I did that's where a cat was spotted we think went into town2 weeks ago lol  I said ok well its all private and it's only bout a mile big, he said ya I know....... They need not to have permits just a # of a local hound men who can help when the problem is there, he could run down and help don't have 800 people put in for what they think is a cougar removal it's not.....

[pianoman9701]

Sorry about your disappointment, but I would've thought you'd have checked it out better before going all in. Sounds like an expensive mistake.  Not trying to flame you or anything but was the land just made private between the time you applied for permits and when you actually arrived there to hunt?

[jackelope]

Sorry about your disappointment, but I would've thought you'd have checked it out better before going all in. Sounds like an expensive mistake.  Not trying to flame you or anything but was the land just made private between the time you applied for permits and when you actually arrived there to hunt?

I might be wrong here but I don't think you apply for a specific area or permit. You apply and they tell you where to go if you draw. Wacoyotehunter was complaining about the same general thing.

[Curly]

Wow.  That sucks. 

I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm thinking it and I might as well say it:  Do they even have anybody at WDFW anymore that isn't a complete moron?   

I would be extremely pissed too. 

[pianoman9701]

Sorry about your disappointment, but I would've thought you'd have checked it out better before going all in. Sounds like an expensive mistake.  Not trying to flame you or anything but was the land just made private between the time you applied for permits and when you actually arrived there to hunt?

I might be wrong here but I don't think you apply for a specific area or permit. You apply and they tell you where to go if you draw. Wacoyotehunter was complaining about the same general thing.

Then I'd be pretty pissed too. Thanks for answering that question, Jack.

[backcountry55]

Yes you apply then theY tell you what units are open I had a choice between entia or gardener I took Gardner! Lady said unit 231 not .0005% of unit 231 it honestly was set up for failure I truly mean that there is no humanly possibly way I was going to cath a cat in a 500 yard flat of sagebrush! I understand they have a tuff job to make everyone happy hunters and non but this is not how you do it! Seriously if you are the biologist get the # of a local hound men who lives in the area who can be there when complaints come in done deal!!! Not put out some big draw and make us think we actually drew something you would have to stay there till march 31 hoping he crossed in the 1 mile flat with the 20 pine trees in the draw! Turn loose the hounds takes the lion into private makes us hound men look like we are the bad guys I want no part of it just thought I would let you guys know its not worth the hassel

[pianoman9701]

That does suck. Thanks for posting.

[jason stevens]

Should be the whole unit not just a part.

[MtnMuley]

Bum deal, backcountry.  I'd be pissed as well.  I guess we can just continue to send emails hoping that one day somebody with common sense will read one of them.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Wow! This state is very good at getting into sportsmans pocket books and setting us up for failure.

[pd]

BackCountry, thank you for reporting this to the forum.  I really feel bad for you; not only was this a waste of time and other resources, it caused frustration and anger.

I agree with your basic point: WDFW really dropped the ball on this hunt.  I suspect the biologist was worried about his work, which is why he called you.  These types of stories only further the disdain that the people hold over public employees.  For that reason alone the WDFW staff SHOULD receive a severe ear-chewing.

I am well aware that many WDFW staff (employees at various divisions) belong to this forum.  I would hold you in high regards if you were to comment here.  If not, then at least discuss this amongst yourselves, and make an effort to improve your services--because that is what your work is, a service to the public.

Shameful!

Edit: I would like to add that I am NOT a WDFW-hater.  In fact, I stand in awe of a certain biologist at the agency, who has helped me tremendously.  I do have quite of bit of experience with senior management at the agency (not entirely positive, I should add), but that doesn't cause me to be an agency basher.  My point is this: The OP here got sold a bad bill of goods.

[MtnMuley]

Would you mind sharing who the bio was.........I bet I have an idea

[backcountry55]

His name was scott

[jackelope]

His name was scott

His last start with an F and end with an N with I-T-K-I in the middle?

[Curly]