Special Permit Cost increase = less applicants?

[asl20bball]

The past few years the cost for special permit applications for quality deer/elk, and OIL tags double in price while the other special permit apps remained level. Anyone know if that has resulted in a decrease in applications for those categories?

[plugger]

I would say no, To many years invested by most to quit now. They got us all to buy in, they own us now

[Ccortez]

I would say no, To many years invested by most to quit now. They got us all to buy in, they own us now

sadly

[vandeman17]

I would say no, To many years invested by most to quit now. They got us all to buy in, they own us now

Sad but 100% true. Only reason I am still applying is to use my points. Its a vicious cycle.

[billythekidrock]

I am sure there is a drop in applicants but I don't know if it is significant or if it is 100% replaced by new hunters. I doubt it will help the odds of drawing.

I know that the 5 or 6 people that I advise or put in for are purchasing less.
Some have been putting in for all OIL points since the beginning, but are now only putting in for one. Some used to put in for all categories for elk but are now only putting in for one, sometimes two.

[Wea300mag]

I can tell you there will be one less goat and sheep applicant starting this year. The odds are soooo low, I'm not wasting my money anymore.

[teanawayslayer]

I don't think less applicants would make any difference.  They know people are going to pay regardless.  Like this year I'm in 564 bucks and that's just for big game and permits. don't have a fishing license yet.  Or any raffle tickets. Now with all the tree farms charging an arm and a leg to get in.  Between the wdfw and private timber companies they are going to price the average joe outta hunting.

[CamoDup]

I can tell you there will be one less goat and sheep applicant starting this year. The odds are soooo low, I'm not wasting my money anymore.

Ya I stopped putting in for the goat tag last year. I have too many points not to stay in the draw for sheep though.  It sucks because I feel like the state has me by the balls. Hopefully I'll use all my points in Washington one day  and use the extra money to hunt other states. I hate giving the WDFW money... 

[bowhiker]

One of the advantages,  I thought, about moving out here was all the big game animals I could hunt with a resident tag. Ten years later, I'm still trying to draw for a moose, sheep, or goat tag. I know a lot of you have been at it longer, which is depressing. But I keep saying maybe next year. I can't muster up enough money for out of state, so the state definitely has me right now. I'm yet to draw a special permit for elk. At least I can hunt them with an otc.

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[Watimberghost]

No one putting in for moose, sheep or goat tags should ever expect to draw, no matter how many points you have. The odds are you will never draw in your lifetime. Its like the lottery, I continue to put in for the dream of hunting one of these awesome animals in Washington state. I'm sure the wdfw has run all their cost analysis and will continue to raise prices until their revenue starts to drop. Like most have stated, we are so invested in building points that we just keep on paying. I still feel like the chance to hunt some of these special permits are worth the $. That may change someday...

[autodink13]

My dad and I dropped out of the oil race when the price increased.

[spikehunter]

No more Goat or Sheep 4 me either  chances 2 low & I have the unluckiest wild I.D. I will save my money and some day do a guided hunt w/ my boys. Sooooooo long 15 points the state can kiss me good 

[kevinlisa06]

Not buying any special permits again this year


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[emac]

With all you guys dropping out of the OIL tags i want to thank you. You are increasing my odds by0.0000000000000001%

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[RB]

I will put in for all OIL tags just because I can. Plus I still have several years of good hunting left, so might as well keep trying. I have been putting in for all of them since before points. Actually maybe I should just take the money put it on the craps table and see what happens, then I could buy an out of state guided hunt