Input Needed RE: Hunter Retention

[Windwalker]

You all have a good handle on this and some of my issues have been covered already but here is my 2 cents.

Query other states simplified hunting/fishing literature- ours reads like the obamacare regulation book.

Loose the walmart receipt look to the licenses- should be a card that fits in your wallet..
Make a lifetime combo license available-  with a box checked that means all inclusive for saltwater/Freshwater/clam/shellfish etc etc- a never again covers-it-all card. Tags.. groan.. would be extra but no more licenses ever. 

Why is there a "small" game license? Really? Call it a hunting license and quit with the subdivisions and burying us in minutia.

A "Hunting License" and "Fishing License" or Hunt/Fish Combo License should cover every license at a reduced fee for 17 and under- all inclusive- saltwater/Freshwater/clam/shellfish small/big game and bird "tags"fees, taxes levied or what ever guise used to siphon $ out of our wallet.   

And the card should be a Hard license the size of a drivers license- not something that looks like 5 walmart receipts a foot long.

Availability to purchase 'ONE' minor license valid until the season ends or 18th birthday..

Fishing license can be bought at an early age- hunting license (or Combo) purchased with proof of hunter safety course.

Tags- minors should only pay a token fee - seems there are tags for everything that walks or crawls- should be for big game only not birds.
$84.50 for a pheasant is insane.

I Know I know its to cover the costs of planting and administrative costs- whatever..kids should hunt CHEAP!

[Special T]

When ever people say the PRICE is too high, what they really mean is the prices is too high for what they are getting... Be-live it or not i would pay more and buy the whole combo again IF i thought the WDFW was actually a hunter FIRST organization. GREAT service costs $ Be willing to pay for it... On the FLip side  MANY hunters like me are hostile vocally and have reduced our spending BECAUSE of the quality of the experience.

[bobcat]

I agree with doing away with the receipt style licenses. But I disagree that prices are too high. We pay about the same as residents in other states. As for the western Washington pheasant license being $84, that's a bargain. Have you ever looked into what it would cost to buy your own pheasants, or to hunt on a private hunting preserve?

Oh, and youth prices are dirt cheap already. So that's not the issue.

[bearpaw]

I was up early this morning and added comments made yesterday and submitted the comments to the task force before leaving for the meeting this morning. You guys and some others providing info by email really helped me put together a comprehensive list of ideas. The ideas were well received by the task force members with several members commenting favorably about the comprehensive list. I attached a pdf of what I submitted, this will give the Dept. some good ideas to consider. I'm sorry I was unable to include comments made today as I left for the meeting at 6:30 AM. Thanks again to everyone for your input. 

Many Thanks,
Dale

[Windwalker]

When ever people say the PRICE is too high, what they really mean is the prices is too high for what they are getting... Be-live it or not i would pay more and buy the whole combo again IF i thought the WDFW was actually a hunter FIRST organization. GREAT service costs $ Be willing to pay for it... On the FLip side  MANY hunters like me are hostile vocally and have reduced our spending BECAUSE of the quality of the experience.

 

And yea, I know how much it costs for pheasants..$84 is a bargain for me but  $40.50 isn't a bargain for youth. Still a lot of $$

[REHJWA]

This state sold us all a bill of goods when it said it would improve the hunting experience by making us choose a weapon type for deer and elk then turned around a few years later and start auctioning off multi season tags...

We need more small game opportunities to help get younger hunters started off.

[huntrights]

State wildlife management agencies must get their money one way or another.  Total costs to Washington residents to hunt and fish may be close to what is charged in other states, but the perception is that Washington residents pay more because every time they wish to participate in a hunting or fishing activity there seems to be extra charges for another license, a tag, an endorsement, a stamp, etc.  Admittedly, Washington has an incredibly diverse wildlife population which creates many hunting and fishing opportunities that may not be available in other states; this may also contribute to the convoluted/confusing hunting and fishing regulations.

A couple of items that may be somewhat unique to Washington are the Discover Pass and the Watchable Wildlife Decal. 

Discover Pass
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=79A.80.020

According to this paper:
"Funding Public Recreation With the Discover Pass: Policy and Practicality"
http://www.agforestry.org/upload/userfiles/Funding_Public_Recreation_with_the_Discover_Pass-Policy_and_Practicality_Final_Report.pdf

"Revenue from the Discover Pass and day‐use permits is deposited into the Recreation Access Pass
Account. The first $71 million in revenue is distributed as follows: 8 % to State Wildlife Account (WDFW);
8 % to Park Land Trust Revolving Account (DNR); 84 % to State Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account.
All revenues exceeding $71 million each fiscal biennium are distributed equally amongst the agencies."


Watchable Wildlife Decal
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.32.560

According to RCW 77.32.560, "Proceeds from the sale of the decal must be deposited into the state wildlife account created in RCW 77.12.170"


 
A good question to ask might be how much is spent by each user group in Washington that use the state lands requiring a Discover Pass.  That is, who is carrying the brunt of the Discover Pass expense and who is actually benefiting?  Hunters?  Anglers?  Or, the average Seattle urban dweller?  If hunters and anglers are carrying the brunt of the Discover Pass, then perhaps the percentage of the proceeds that goes to the State Wildlife Account (WDFW) should reflect the percentage paid by hunters and anglers versus the 8%.  State Parks may need funding (84% of the first $71 million), but what user groups are carrying the lion's share of that expense via Discover Pass purchases?  If someone has the answers and can cite their sources, please share them.

[Curly]

 
A good question to ask might be how much is spent by each user group in Washington that use the state lands requiring a Discover Pass.  That is, who is carrying the brunt of the Discover Pass expense and who is actually benefiting?  Hunters?  Anglers?  Or, the average Seattle urban dweller?  If hunters and anglers are carrying the brunt of the Discover Pass, then perhaps the percentage of the proceeds that goes to the State Wildlife Account (WDFW) should reflect the percentage paid by hunters and anglers versus the 8%.  State Parks may need funding (84% of the first $71 million), but what user groups are carrying the lion's share of that expense via Discover Pass purchases?  If someone has the answers and can cite their sources, please share them.

 

My feeling is that the DP was implemented as a way to keep the State Parks Dept from going under.  It is a poor excuse in my opinion to have users of DNR lands and WDFW lands funding State Parks.  State Parks needs to figure out some other way of running the dept or convince the legislature to fund them with general fund money............just not on the backs of sportsmen.

[Special T]

Does anyone have a detailed sales break down for both/either the Discoverpass/watchable wildlife sales? Also the Hunt Fishing Lic. Ive seen the rought numbers, on the hunt/fish but is a more specific break down posted soem where? Like by county and then what they bought?

[bernacrock]

As a new Washington resident and first time hopeful hunter, that elk thread was a bit discouraging.  I came from the east coast and a state that had virtually no public hunting grounds and the few left were heavily hunted and basically a shooting gallery when the season started.

I was able to get into a Hunter's ed class for next month, hope to do deer and possibly migratory birds.

I've been fishing since December 2013 here, and I have to say that the regulations here are way crazier than they were back east.  The hunting regs look slightly more open, but not much so.  I suspect I have a lot of scouting to do this summer as I have no idea where to go which is probably going to be the biggest obstacle to sticking with the sport.  Pretty much trying to learn on my own.

[Special T]

Welcome! Read Boyd Iversons Blacktail Trophy tactics 2 for  hunting here on the wetside.

[pianoman9701]

As a new Washington resident and first time hopeful hunter, that elk thread was a bit discouraging.  I came from the east coast and a state that had virtually no public hunting grounds and the few left were heavily hunted and basically a shooting gallery when the season started.

I was able to get into a Hunter's ed class for next month, hope to do deer and possibly migratory birds.

I've been fishing since December 2013 here, and I have to say that the regulations here are way crazier than they were back east.  The hunting regs look slightly more open, but not much so.  I suspect I have a lot of scouting to do this summer as I have no idea where to go which is probably going to be the biggest obstacle to sticking with the sport.  Pretty much trying to learn on my own.

There is still hunting opportunity in this state. I would focus on NF lands and contacting private landowners in your area, wherever that is. From what part of the East coast did you come?