Talk about having to dig deep into pocket

[greenhead_killer]

I agree with jackalope with all this. Few hundred bucks to have an opportunity/excuse to be outside if fine by me. How many of you go to a sporting event during the year? Or how about having a few beers with the boys? Add it up, if its important to you, I'm site you will make the effort to cut other activities out. Pay 400$ for 6 months of just hunting opportunity and that is just August through January. Where else can you spend that little and have that much of a time frame to enjoy it? Fine with me all you guys bailing out, means better odds for me which is always a good thing.

[snowpack]

Better odds to draw the tag, not necessarily get an animal.  The year I didn't get a deer was the one I got the deer multi-tag.  Passed a few early, skipped most of modern because of out of town visitors...figured I'd make it up in the late seasons.  Rained and froze most of the late season...crunchy, crunchy! 

[bobcat]

I agree with coach that it's ridiculous to complain about the price of multi season tags, as nobody is forcing you to buy them. But, I gotta sympathize with those feeling the pain of the costly licenses, tags, and passes.

It's the Weyerhaeuser passes that are really affecting me this year. If I want to hunt the same places I hunted last year, I need to buy a St Helens pass ($150), a Pe Ell North pass ($200), and an Aberdeen pass ($75). That's an additional $425 that I didn't have to spend last year. Not only that, but this year I have to hunt alone. My uncle can't go with me, my brother can't go, and my 15 year old cousin who is just learning to hunt can't go.

 Unless all three of them buy the passes too, and what would that be? Let's see- I guess for four of us, a total of $1700, just to go and hunt the same areas we hunted last year, it's going to cost an extra SEVENTEEN-HUNDRED DOLLARS!   

Yep, I'd say hunting in this state is getting expensive, no doubt about it. And no, I will not be hunting the state land or any of the other small parcels of private timberland that's still open to the public. No way, you think it was crowded before? Just wait and see how it's going to be now. Y'all have fun in Capitol Forest!       

[REHJWA]

You guys are talking about states that are over run with whitetails. Is it all about the number of deer you kill?

NO!
It is about the opportunity to be in the woods for more then a week or two.

In states where they allow more then one deer it is usually doe permits, and I put meat in the freezer first then put in the hard time trying to pattern a decent buck.

The seasons here are a joke compared to most other states. If your blessed your tagged out...but Lord forbid something come up during your selected season, if you or family get sick, have to work, or some other unforeseen issue comes up your season is done....

I saved my leave so I could come home three years in a row from Hawaii to hunt deer here in Oct...

My bottom line is that the money we pay this state for the opportunities we enjoy are the highest I have experienced when compared to the six other states I have been fortunate enough to hunt.

I am not counting transportation cost or access fees, I could/can not afford to be in hunt clubs. 


 

[HoofsandWings]

National forest isn't free either. $40 for an annual forest pass.

Or 15 dollars for lifetime.

[jackelope]

I went and looked at states nearby Washington with similar animals to hunt. Not taking into account the quality of game I guess...These are resident prices. There may be something more to the licenses like you have to buy a license then a tag, or something along those lines...but I think if anything, they might be more expensive if anything, than what I've got listed here. No special permit applications or anything extra was included.
Here's the rundown.
Idaho has a Sportsman's Package. The Sportsman's Package includes all rights and privileges associated with a Resident Adult Combination License plus tags for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, wolf, turkey, salmon and steelhead. Archery and muzzleloader are validated on the license. It's $124.25 per year.
Wyoming Deer, Elk, Bear, Mountain Lion, turkey, resident fishing and small game comes down to $229.00 per year.
Montana is $114.00 for deer, elk, bear, res fishing, turkey, small game and mountain lion.
Oregon Sport Pac (Combination Angling/Hunting/Shellfish License, a Combined Angling Harvest Tag, a Validation for Upland Bird and Waterfowl hunting, plus a General or Controlled Buck Deer, General or Controlled Elk, General Cougar, General or Controlled Bear and Spring Turkey Tag) is $164.75
Washington elk, deer, bear, lion, small game, turkey and freshwater fishing is $162.90

[vandeman17]

I went and looked at states nearby Washington with similar animals to hunt. Not taking into account the quality of game I guess...These are resident prices. There may be something more to the licenses like you have to buy a license then a tag, or something along those lines...but I think if anything, they might be more expensive if anything, than what I've got listed here. No special permit applications or anything extra was included.
Here's the rundown.
Idaho has a Sportsman's Package. The Sportsman's Package includes all rights and privileges associated with a Resident Adult Combination License plus tags for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, wolf, turkey, salmon and steelhead. Archery and muzzleloader are validated on the license. It's $124.25 per year.
Wyoming Deer, Elk, Bear, Mountain Lion, turkey, resident fishing and small game comes down to $229.00 per year.
Montana is $114.00 for deer, elk, bear, res fishing, turkey, small game and mountain lion.
Oregon Sport Pac (Combination Angling/Hunting/Shellfish License, a Combined Angling Harvest Tag, a Validation for Upland Bird and Waterfowl hunting, plus a General or Controlled Buck Deer, General or Controlled Elk, General Cougar, General or Controlled Bear and Spring Turkey Tag) is $164.75
Washington elk, deer, bear, lion, small game, turkey and freshwater fishing is $162.90

Thanks for those as I have assumed that the prices for all resident stuff is about the same or within the same ballpark. I think the biggest factor is many of those states you don't have to declare your weapons or they have more liberal seasons. Not to mention, at least for me, being able to hunt in otc units without point restrictions for deer and/or elk.

[returnofsid]

I just finished purchasing MOST of what I'll need for the year, and spent $300.40.

That got me:
Fresh Water Fishing License
Two Pole Endorsement
Combo Deer, Elk, Bear, Cougar w/discounted Small Game
Multi-Season Deer Tag
COMPLIMENTARY Vehicle Access Pass (FREE EVEN!) HAHA

I still plan to buy long odds on the chance to:
Hunt a second deer
Hunt any moose
Hunt an antlerless only moose

I also MIGHT still buy a turkey tag, or 2, or 3...etc.

Oh, can't forget the Discover Pass...

That should about cover all of the licenses, tags, chances and plugging the states wild parking meters.

NOW, I've just gotta pony up for all the other "stuff" I just HAVE TO HAVE...
New Bow
More Arrows
More Hunting Clothes
Gas
Propane for Travel Trailer
Food
BEER
Etc. Etc. Etc.

At least I've put a dent in the total...

[BENCHLEG]

Washington's apps are like going to Vegas only spend what you can afford to flush down the drain. This state's draw is nothing more than a lottery. Have fun and contribute to all the the many things that the anti,s depend on us to fund. 

[highmuley]

Big reason why i'm switching to archery this year. Increases (at least my outlook...) my chances of putting meat in the freezer. Extended seasons, doe/cow opportunities (without special permits), etc. Meat in the freezer is very important these days, considering the price and quality (or lack there of) of supermarket "meats". Its difficult the years you don't score. You shell out thousands of dollars (in some cases) to hunt your favorite spot(s) to get minimal return. I'm more for the journey than the end goal but it is nice to be rewarded for hard work in the field too sometimes. That's also the reason I get a small game license.....cause rabbits taste great! Just sayin'