Harvest stats

[Stalkin Prey]

Been digging into harvest stats trying to figure out my starting point for this season and I’m rather shocked at some of the stats. How accurate do you guys think they are? I know I reported honestly (tag soup) and in the correct units but things aren’t quite adding up, I know it’s basically an “honor” system and guys will report false info but how much do you think is actually false? Do you guys take harvest stats into consideration when planning your seasons?


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[SkookumHntr]

I do!

[EyeTooth]

Yes

[Bob33]

It's far better information than no information.

[Stein]

I do, fair assumption they are relatively similar accuracy across units.  You also have to look for units where a bunch of the harvest happens on private.


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[dreamunelk]

It is statistically accurate.  My understanding is hunter reporting is not what you would expect it to be.  Unfortunately many do not report and there are the ones who just lie.  I think that is said.  Harvest reporting is the best tool they have.  So when hunters complain who is really at fault.

[elkchaser54]

The state just needs to move to a system where in order for your TAG to be valid when punched you must register it online as harvested.  So these numbers are accurate

[Oh Mah]

  No internet in a lot of the places people get their harvest's.I would hate for the wdfw to force hunters to carry cell phones.Then it would turn into illegally hunting without internet.

  QUOTE:                                                                                                                   (The state just needs to move to a system where in order for your TAG to be valid when punched you must register it online as harvested.  So these numbers are accurate)

[teanawayslayer]

It is statistically accurate.  My understanding is hunter reporting is not what you would expect it to be.  Unfortunately many do not report and there are the ones who just lie.  I think that is said.  Harvest reporting is the best tool they have.  So when hunters complain who is really at fault.

if used properly it is a great tool. I reported on all my tags and still had a admin fee.  . Pisses me off. Donate thousands to them every year and charge me a fee.

[The scout]

I reported all my tags in December and then I got charged a fee and there is nothing I can do about it. I hate constantly whining about everything the wdfw does but there constant money grab gets old.  The hunter report thing seems kinda pointless really all they need to know is how many people are hunting in each gmu because they aren’t managing game by kill stats they are managing people and money.

[Peewee]

Same here, i reported n still got charged

[dreamunelk]

For those that reported and got charged for failure to report.  I suggest you start sending some emails!   Sounds to me that maybe we start requesting a confirmation email or number when reporting.  I doubt it is intentional as some imply.  Maybe a glitch in the system.  I hear a new system is coming.  We should start asking for this feature.  I have to admit the thought of a new system scares me.  Sometimes I am pessimistic and think things can only get worse with change.

I also suggest you find out what you did not report on.  A guy I know thought he reported and found out the clerk at Cabelas sold him a useless tag that he forgot about.  Clerk sold him a damage tag.  He is kind of naive when it comes to Washington so he took the clerks word for it.  He has learned his lesson about listening to Cabelas staff. 

[Deerelk37]

I wouldn’t mind a better system for mandatory reporting. My father law said in Wisconsin you had X amount of time to go to a check station to get your animal tagged and a butcher could not accept without such tag. Total number of licenses and amount of kill tags issued would be more accurate than a 10$ fee. The fee only to me shows that on the $’s are cared about, not animal populations.

[Bob33]

I wouldn’t mind a better system for mandatory reporting. My father law said in Wisconsin you had X amount of time to go to a check station to get your animal tagged and a butcher could not accept without such tag. Total number of licenses and amount of kill tags issued would be more accurate than a 10$ fee. The fee only to me shows that on the $’s are cared about, not animal populations.

That would work for tags that are filled, but I suspect the vast majority of tags that aren't reported are for unfilled or unused tags.

[Humptulips]

For those that reported and got charged for failure to report.  I suggest you start sending some emails!   Sounds to me that maybe we start requesting a confirmation email or number when reporting.  I doubt it is intentional as some imply.  Maybe a glitch in the system.  I hear a new system is coming.  We should start asking for this feature.  I have to admit the thought of a new system scares me.  Sometimes I am pessimistic and think things can only get worse with change.

I also suggest you find out what you did not report on.  A guy I know thought he reported and found out the clerk at Cabelas sold him a useless tag that he forgot about.  Clerk sold him a damage tag.  He is kind of naive when it comes to Washington so he took the clerks word for it.  He has learned his lesson about listening to Cabelas staff.

You should be getting a confirmation number when you report. I do.

[Deerelk37]

I wouldn’t mind a better system for mandatory reporting. My father law said in Wisconsin you had X amount of time to go to a check station to get your animal tagged and a butcher could not accept without such tag. Total number of licenses and amount of kill tags issued would be more accurate than a 10$ fee. The fee only to me shows that on the $’s are cared about, not animal populations.

That would work for tags that are filled, but I suspect the vast majority of tags that aren't reported are for unfilled or unused tags.

That’s ok. My thought is at least we have a better gauge on the actual number of harvested animals. The only ones not included would be those who self-butcher. Which I assume is a small %. Then just charge the 10$ or 15$ (since there would be less unreported kills) for anyone who does not report. Whether the tag is unused or I unfilled  will be irrelevant. They are the same to me, no animal was harvested from their truck or couch. I don’t care how many people actually had time to go hunting. I just want an accurate take of animals taken. Trend reports would mean more that way. As it is now you can’t trust any number. I could fill my tag every year and just pay the 10$. No system is perfect but it could definitely improve

[snake]

The state just needs to move to a system where in order for your TAG to be valid when punched you must register it online as harvested.  So these numbers are accurate

yeah, more rules thats what we need.