Are we losing elk and deer permits to big timber companies in SE Washington??

[Whitpirate]

I think these programs are nothing but privately funded lotteries.  All tags should be raffle.  The landowners have too much incentive to keep it private friends/family or charge out the wazoo. 

[jackelope]

I might be misreading this, but doesn't it state that the company is putting more land into huntable access in exchange for additional special permits?

Yes, that is supposed to be the idea. However most of Bennett's land is "hunt by reservation". The problem is that from what I understand the average person will not be getting a reservation.

Not sure of all the details, but at least some of their land is already open to public hunting via feel free to hunt or the reservation system.

[Woodchuck]

I might be misreading this, but doesn't it state that the company is putting more land into huntable access in exchange for additional special permits?

Yes, that is supposed to be the idea. However most of Bennett's land is "hunt by reservation". The problem is that from what I understand the average person will not be getting a reservation.

Not sure of all the details, but at least some of their land is already open to public hunting via feel free to hunt or the reservation system.

Hmmmmmmm. I wonder where that is.

[BA Mongor]

As with almost everything "government" these days, we have no say in the matter and no matter how much we complain or voice our displeasure, it wont make a difference !

They can do whatever they want, whenever they want !
They do it with our fisheries and our wildlife.
We can't vote on it and our opinion means nothing to them !

It's so corrupt and embedded with policy, that nothing's going to change, until people with common sense our in positions of power. But that would mean we would need individuals who won't bow down to corporate greed !!

[jackelope]

I might be misreading this, but doesn't it state that the company is putting more land into huntable access in exchange for additional special permits?

Yes, that is supposed to be the idea. However most of Bennett's land is "hunt by reservation". The problem is that from what I understand the average person will not be getting a reservation.

Not sure of all the details, but at least some of their land is already open to public hunting via feel free to hunt or the reservation system.

Hmmmmmmm. I wonder where that is.

#591 in the Peola GMU is open to hunt by reservation but what can be reserved at this point is all booked.
Some more dates are available to reserve after the 25th I think.

[huntnphool]

If Bennett is only offering access to employees and friends and family of employees,

 Those are not the only people getting access, why do you think there are two of each?

 Let's discuss this possibility. Auction (AKA Governor Tags) go for tens of thousands of dollars, and on top of that, those with the means to buy a auction tag also need to pay for "access" or a trespass fee to places like Bennett if they see "the bull" they are after on their land.

 What this new "permit" does is open up the same tag/trespass fee combo to the highest bidder, but likely with limited season dates, but let's face it, if you have the only tag and are the only one with access, then how much time do you really need?

 There is no way Bennett gives these tags out to the average joe public random phone caller.

[jackelope]

All of a sudden you've got a guy buying the Auction tag, the raffle tag and the Bennett tag. He kills 3 big bulls in the same gmu in a year while the rest of us wait 20 years to draw a permit.

[huntnphool]

All of a sudden you've got a guy buying the Auction tag, the raffle tag and the Bennett tag. He kills 3 big bulls in the same gmu in a year while the rest of us wait 20 years to draw a permit.

 Exactly!

 While I understand the frustration the family must be feeling, not being able to hunt their own land and having to draw tags like the rest of us, this is a complete sham. Bennett gets tax breaks by "allowing access" and gets a huge bonus on the backside being able to "sell" one of the permits, while not really giving access..........BS!

 My guess is the cow tags will go to "Joe Public" just to make it look legit, but you will never see one of those bull tags go to anyone other than "connected" individuals.

[Fl0und3rz]

If Bennett is only offering access to employees and friends and family of employees,

 Those are not the only people getting access, why do you think there are two of each?

 Let's discuss this possibility. Auction (AKA Governor Tags) go for tens of thousands of dollars, and on top of that, those with the means to buy a auction tag also need to pay for "access" or a trespass fee to places like Bennett if they see "the bull" they are after on their land.

 What this new "permit" does is open up the same tag/trespass fee combo to the highest bidder, but likely with limited season dates, but let's face it, if you have the only tag and are the only one with access, then how much time do you really need?

 There is no way Bennett gives these tags out to the average joe public random phone caller.

I admittedly do not know the full extent of the lands, the "public" access being granted, or the land owner profit motive in partaking in the "hunt by reservation only" part of the Private Lands Access Program. 

It seems a bit unseemly IF 1) these tag grants (a public resource) are being granted to promote public access and 2) there is little to no real public "access" or benefit being received, whether it be due to onerous access fees, landowner favoritism, or the economics dictating that proceeds of the "highest bidder" don't go back to WDFW and the hunting public to promote the public resource. 


OP kind of makes that point.  After reading the proposal, I would be disappointed to learn that the supposed "nothing for something" trade is exactly what this situation is about.

After reading your latest, it appears we are on the same page, but I'll let my comment stand.

[huntnphool]

If Bennett is only offering access to employees and friends and family of employees,

 Those are not the only people getting access, why do you think there are two of each?

 Let's discuss this possibility. Auction (AKA Governor Tags) go for tens of thousands of dollars, and on top of that, those with the means to buy a auction tag also need to pay for "access" or a trespass fee to places like Bennett if they see "the bull" they are after on their land.

 What this new "permit" does is open up the same tag/trespass fee combo to the highest bidder, but likely with limited season dates, but let's face it, if you have the only tag and are the only one with access, then how much time do you really need?

 There is no way Bennett gives these tags out to the average joe public random phone caller.

I admittedly do not know the full extent of the lands, the "public" access being granted, or the land owner profit motive in partaking in the "hunt by reservation only" part of the Private Lands Access Program. 

It seems a bit unseemly IF 1) these tag grants (a public resource) are being granted to promote public access and 2) there is little to no real public "access" or benefit being received, whether it be due to onerous access fees, landowner favoritism, or the economics dictating that proceeds of the "highest bidder" don't go back to WDFW and the hunting public to promote the public resource. 


OP kind of makes that point.  After reading the proposal, I would be disappointed to learn that the supposed "nothing for something" trade is exactly what this situation is about.

After reading your latest, it appears we are on the same page, but I'll let my comment stand.

 I used your quote to point out the family/friends comment and lead into the other scenario, we are indeed on the same page.

[TheHunt]

Just to muddy the waters...

Hancock get something like 8 elk tags to hunt their property which the executives get. 

[Woodchuck]

Just to muddy the waters...

Hancock get something like 8 elk tags to hunt their property which the executives get.

Right but they actually allow access. Try calling Bennett and asking what access during a general season costs and when you can get in.

[rosscrazyelk]

As I have told you before Josh.. I believe this is absolutely  Bull S#%£.
No way they should be Givin any extra state tags... put the tags in the general  hunt and let the public have access.  If they want to keep  it to themselves  they have to draw just like the rest of us.
Everyone on this forum should call wdfw and let them have it...

[jackelope]

Just to muddy the waters...

Hancock get something like 8 elk tags to hunt their property which the executives get.

Right but they actually allow access. Try calling Bennett and asking what access during a general season costs and when you can get in.

FWIW they do allow access on some of their land. FFTH and reservation system. I only specifically know of 1 piece in the 178 GMU and I think it's 706 acres?

[JLS]

I have been told by a few folks that have contacted Bennett Lumber about access that they were basically told "there would be no access granted to the general public"

Not true.  They are enrolling land into the Hunt By Reservation program.