how to fix WA. OIL draw system

[argali]

How do we fix this ? Seems very unfair?any ideas?

[Jonathan_S]

How do we fix this ? Seems very unfair?any ideas?

Two words, Idaho

[argali]

Idaho's system is better?

[argali]

we need a fair system. I wonder how many hunter have max pts and will never have the chance to draw? Seems that a guy dedicated enough to put in for 22pts should get a tag before the guy w/ just 3pts.

[X-Force]

Your argument makes no sense.. A person with 22 points has 484 names in the hat and a person with 3 points has 9.


If fair is what your looking for it looks pretty straight forward.. Been in the system longer =have better odds

[vandeman17]

I would be ok with having to front the tag money but I know that has been shot down because of some legality issue. I am not sure how it would work to only allow you to apply for one species per year for oil but I do like that idea for deer/elk.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Theres no easy answer. I think idaho is the only "fair" system. I have a bunch of points in Washington, how is it fair to new hunters that I have a advantage over them just by virtue of having parents or a lifestyle that favored immersion in the sport. I think its as equal as it needs to be, in the system longer = better odds.

I do think it would be nice if there was a tag swap type option. There is a couple older gents with max points i would gladly swap a tag for points or even donate the tag if i were to draw myself.

[bobcat]

It's as fair as it can be. There are just too many people and not enough permits. The only better system would be no points, like Idaho.

If you gave the high point holders even more preference, new hunters would have no reason to apply at all, their odds would be so low.

[Bigshooter]

It doesn't need fixed.  Most people will never get to hunt any oil species any any state. 

[Bob33]

15,920 applications for 20 Any Ram sheep permits. More than 500 of the applications had 20+ points.  Is seems to me the "problem" is obvious. The solution? More sheep, fewer hunters, win the Lotto and buy the auction tag, or apply in more places than Washington.

[popeshawnpaul]

There is no fix.  There isn't as many tags as there is demand.  The only thing you can do is increase tags or reduce applicants.

My proposal in the next 3 year cycle will be to select if you want to apply for an OIL species or Deer/Elk as Idaho does.  This would reduce the applicants in all areas but would also reduce revenue.  The individual tag application fees would need to be raised to offset this but overall, a person would spend the same on their application.  This way the state will consider it.  You will then be forced to apply for the tag/species you most covet.  Once you fill that tag, you can apply your points to other species, retaining your points of course. 

The only question is whether you can accumulate points on a species while applying for another.  Not sure about that yet.  Also, can you apply for all 3 OIL species or are you limited to one?  This will likely depend on what the statistic look like but I believe selecting only one you really want will significantly improve your odds, likely over double.

[bearpaw]

It's as fair as it can be. There are just too many people and not enough permits. The only better system would be no points, like Idaho.

If you gave the high point holders even more preference, new hunters would have no reason to apply at all, their odds would be so low.

15,920 applications for 20 Any Ram sheep permits. More than 500 of the applications had 20+ points.  Is seems to me the "problem" is obvious. The solution? More sheep, fewer hunters, win the Lotto and buy the auction tag, or apply in more places than Washington.

There are simply too many hunters and too few OIL animals. I recently made a post in another topic, this was part of that post:

One big thing, WDFW can't satisfy everyone and some people will always complain. The biggest problem I see is lack of trying to maximize fish and herd numbers, too many predators in the water and on land, loss of winter range and spawning area, failure to utilize the full potential of existing WDFW and other public lands and waters.

We are the smallest western state with nearly the largest population, we must maximize our resources.

[argali]

interesting answers. I wonder if the wdfw ever looks at this page they might find it useful?

[carbide]

There is no fix for Washington special hunt drawings. The current system is a complete money grab. WDFW cant change it now without taking a huge loss to the bottom line. I wish they would use the money for maximizing herd numbers so more hunters would be able to draw.

[argali]

sounds like the wdfw needs fixing?