Permit changes - youth without hunters ed can no longer build points

[WA1232]

I'm disappointed that WDFW changed the rules and patents with small kids can no longer buy them a point each year. The system requires hunters ed certification before allowing the purchase of an app now. I called WDFW and this was a rule change this year. Just a FYI, for those that this effects.

[X-Force]

Dumb rule change that only negatively impacts the future of hunting.

[treefarmer]

This sucks.   Possibly the first time wdfw had mad a change that turned down easy money.   

[Curly]

Actually I think the change makes sense. Because it makes sense, I am surprised that wdfw is making that change, especially since it will cut into the money they are raking in.

[Bob33]

More here: https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,226510.0.html

[SkookumHntr]

I didn't even know you could buy kids points before they passed hunters ed, my daughter is starting with one point this year! Nice that its only 3$ for them to apply for hunts tho! Hoping for the any deer 667 hunt

[knighttime25]

You should still be able to buy your kids the points option though correct? It would make sense that they wouldn't want kids applying for a special permit unless they had their hunters safety complete. Unless I'm missing something?? 

[BULLBLASTER]

You should still be able to buy your kids the points option though correct? It would make sense that they wouldn't want kids applying for a special permit unless they had their hunters safety complete. Unless I'm missing something?? 

Can’t buy any apps without hunters safety now.

[Rainier10]

You could buy applications for moose, goat and sheep without passing hunter ed.  They changed it this year so now you have to pass hunter ed before you can buy an application and get ghost points.

[Magnum_Willys]

I didn't even know you could buy kids points before they passed hunters ed, my daughter is starting with one point this year! Nice that its only 3$ for them to apply for hunts tho! Hoping for the any deer 667 hunt

I think thats why they changed - Parents "in the know" started applying as soon as lil johnny was born and then come license time he had 10 youth points built up and had a lock on permits,  while most parents just started applying when lil johnny passed hunters ed.  Kind of nice to getem started as early as possible IMO. 

[GurrCentral]

How bout the kids that have points already? Will they keep their points until they pass hunter ed and actually can apply for hunts?

[Rainier10]

How bout the kids that have points already? Will they keep their points until they pass hunter ed and actually can apply for hunts?

Yes they will.  I still have 6 youth points and 6 senior points from when they divided up all the categories a few years back.  I am 46.

[CarbonHunter]

I’m against it as well and the thing I think is the worst is that they didn’t take public comment on the rule change. I knew it was proposed early on but when it became time for public comment there was no option for this rule that I seen.

[bobcat]

I support the change. I don't think it's fair for some kids to get extra points before they're even eligible to hunt, while other kids don't. This only affects moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat anyway, as others have already said. You never could build up points for deer or elk without having passed hunter education, since in order to buy an application you have to first buy a hunting license. I don't believe the state ever intended for people to have the ability to buy moose, sheep, and goat points for their kids. It's just a loophole that some people figured out how to exploit. Most people never knew it was possible.

[jackelope]

I support the change. I don't think it's fair for some kids to get extra points before they're even eligible to hunt, while other kids don't. This only affects moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat anyway, as others have already said. You never could build up points for deer or elk without having passed hunter education, since in order to buy an application you have to first buy a hunting license. I don't believe the state ever intended for people to have the ability to buy moose, sheep, and goat points for their kids. It's just a loophole that some people figured out how to exploit. Most people never knew it was possible.

Looking at it from a what's the most fair to all standpoint, I'm with Bobcat on this one.