Buy the permit and get out with your dad. Just lost my dad Feb. 15th and this hunting season is going to be a hard one without him. The permits came out the 2nd and my first thought was to call him to let him know, saw the changes for muzzle loading seasons on the east side, again my first thought was to call. This sucks.
So do what you can to spend every moment you can with him doing what the two of you like.