what a ripoff

[shadowless_nite]

It is what you make it.  A guy could buy his big game combo for under $100 and hunt all year.   The special permits aren't a requirement to hunt, nor are the access permits.  They are luxuries and should be treated as such.  Its not like the new license season sneaks up on you, you have a whole year to save up for it.  Ill be into it for around $650 after the access permit and, to me,  that's a bargain for a years worth of entertainment!

I agree, it maybe a hobby/sport. But it sure beats talking to a psych about your problems and paying for therapy sessions. I feel any sort of hobby/sport/interest etc, when given serious effort, takes some money. Even if I am unsuccessful harvesting I usually look book and think " were the experiences for me and my family really worth the cost?..." and in the end I can't think of any price I wouldn't pay to see my wife and kids with me enjoying what I enjoy. But don't get me wrong, it is expensive and I complain each year after buying tags and whatever else I need  so I'm just as ready to jump ship and hunt somewhere else, every man has his limits right?

[Alaska316]

Here's how I look at it. I bought two forest passes this year, also bought tags for my fiancé and I. Deer,elk,bear,small game and multi season deer for both and special permits. Ammo, her bow and rifle. Luckily I had a second muzzle loader. All the gear for her such as clothes and binos. But I am in the woods from September thru January. Just so her and I and some buddies can break new trail and tell lies. So needless to say, I spent a lot of money to support my habit. I don't have to spend much money. I am lucky to be able to. If it were free and easy, it'd be called Food stamps.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Allowing the tax payers to access land that the timber companies agreed to let us access, When we the taxpayers agreed to PAY FOR THE ROAD SYSTEM...  THATS NOT FOOD STAMPS...We got took by big timer.

We paid for the roads and maintenance of them with the agreement we get PUBLIC ACCESS.  Not the tiny chunk of public they offer for walk in.  Access to the tree farm the entire farm.  They went back on their end of the agreement and it was all for money.  Now the WDFW spend most of its enforcement power on checking permits at the gates of lots of privately owned tree farms around the state......  What a joke they make a couple million a year on permits and loose a lot more to china by cutting out the American workers and still need WDFW to regulate and supervise their gates.  Huge waste of money so a few guys can kick back w their feet up.  But hey support our heritage being taken away all you want.

It is what you make it.  A guy could buy his big game combo for under $100 and hunt all year.   The special permits aren't a requirement to hunt, nor are the access permits.  They are luxuries and should be treated as such.  Its not like the new license season sneaks up on you, you have a whole year to save up for it.  Ill be into it for around $650 after the access permit and, to me,  that's a bargain for a years worth of entertainment!

What about the generations of wholesome family tradition and values that having that land public provided to these rural communities...  The pass I buy sells 800 in less than 90 seconds.  Even if my family wanted to buy it (they refuse cause they paid the taxes for those roads and agreed to do so for access to the tree farms) they couldn't.  You guys act like they have a choice. Most all timber companies have gone to permit only. Very small chunks of state land to hunt that hold game.  It was a greedy thing to do and will cost them and the wdfw in the end. 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I completely understand this point. However, the only main complaint we ever seem to hear about is cost and the timber companies receiving tax breaks. And when you say they couldn't buy a permit even if they wanted to, do you mean they cant afford it or the permits sell out to quickly? I buy the same permit by the way.

Not talking about the current tax breaks they receive.  Just the agreement they made w the tax payers when my grandparents agreed to pay for and maintain the road systems through the taxes with the agreement that the public could access the roads.

And yes they sell out too fast for my 80yo grandfather to figure out his computer.  We hunt out of state anyways.  that way his old bones can still kill bigger bucks than most in WA.  He's not gonna break his 178" buck here in wa that's for sure.  unless he draws his deer tag............