Yea Permit cuts and a 15% increase lovin it

[MADMAX]

no antlerless please


and wolf tags also
 

[TVHunts]

Already bought all my tags for this year, better buy early before the 15% increase goes into effect...

Or buy in another state.  I'm not sending WDFW my hunting money this year, if a bunch of people did the same they might understand the message.

I agree with Stein, in 2019 I won’t give up my general season deer hunt tradition with my friends so, I will buy a hunting license, deer tag and, small game for upland. I’m not sure how many more years I will continue these hunts/purchases but at this rate not many at all.  It’s not because of the increase in price, it’s that I am fed up.

 I won’t buy any special hunt opportunities this year which means sacrificing all my points. I have 14 for elk, moose, goat and sheep.  I know it can be hated on here but, I am also NOT renewing my Master Hunter status that expires in August and, I have had it for 10 years.  I am tired of this states mismanagement, its as simple as that. I don’t blame or have an attitude towards enforcement officers who are doing a job.

[zwickeyman]

I have been for decreasing Doe and late Buck tags for years but to do so just to feed predators is complete B.S. I have watched this state mismanage Deer and Elk for so long it makes me sick. Plain fed up

[Axle]

Actually, they can probably increase tags.  The animal count will get so low in places that adding hunters wont' increase the number we take, so as it get's worse we can have more opportunity.

They've actually done that many times over the years.
It makes them look good when they generously give out an opportunity that doesn't even exist.

[bornhunter]

Anyone ever notice how top heavy WDFW is? They have to raise fees to pay those salaries. And ever since they made game wardens full authority law enforcement officers, cost have skyrocketed. Thats what we need out there, game wardens with radar writing traffic tickets and arresting dui's.

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea I agree we need to get the Wardens back to doing game related activities exclusively.

[Stein]

My hunting tags not including waterfowl and small game are $222.80.  For that amount, I can apply for elk in AZ and have a pretty nice hunt every 5-9 years as well as leftover money to buy an elk point in WY.  Or, I could pay $222.80 to collect points I will likely take to my grave for the most part. 

[BKMFR]

 

[SuperX]

Wow, no archery antlerless for the next 2 years in almost all of the 300 units and no other units have been added like they did in 2010 - 12 with opening up peaches ridge for spike/cow.  Most archery bull permit numbers are halved as well.

Not surprising about the cows, as I never saw a cow elk in those units during early archery season, but why cut back the "any bull" tags? 

I'm not sure if I should start learning the west side or just move my elk hunting to Canada or Idaho/Montana?

Very disappoint

[bowhunterty]

It  shows it will be open for late archery for antlerless in the 300 units.

[SuperX]

It  shows it will be open for late archery for antlerless in the 300 units.

yeah, true, not worth it to me to buy a license for a spike only early and late cow/spike tag, at least not in those units.

[stlusn30-06]

Am I missing something here?

First - I fully agree the state could better manage the wildlife.

That said. The license increase is capped at $15 for hunters and they are going to create a few new license bundles so that those of us that buy a lot of licenses don't get priced out.

This state has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of hunters over the past decade. It has always been on hunters (though I'd like to see that change) to fund wildlife conservation. With the decrease in the number of hunters, the cost of inflation (as this is like the 2nd increase in 20 years) how do you all propose we keep hunting alive in this state?

Not saying I disagree with everything here, but I'm also willing to cough up another few $ to keep hunting alive.

[Stein]

Am I missing something here?

First - I fully agree the state could better manage the wildlife.

That said. The license increase is capped at $15 for hunters and they are going to create a few new license bundles so that those of us that buy a lot of licenses don't get priced out.

This state has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of hunters over the past decade. It has always been on hunters (though I'd like to see that change) to fund wildlife conservation. With the decrease in the number of hunters, the cost of inflation (as this is like the 2nd increase in 20 years) how do you all propose we keep hunting alive in this state?

Not saying I disagree with everything here, but I'm also willing to cough up another few $ to keep hunting alive.

You keep hunting alive by creating opportunities and doing what their charter says instead of caving to special interests, running backroom closed-door deals and generally shafting the hunting public.  If there is poor opportunity it doesn't matter what the cost.  WDFW is competing with neighboring states for our hunting dollars and they seem to be doing a poor job at that.

Why would any kid buy points for any OIL tag or even quality deer or elk?  Their chances of drawing OIL is statistically near zero and their only hope of the good quality tags is to have a ton of us old guys die off and hope the younger generation didn't put in for points.

Look at the recent cougar hound thing, they couldn't even come out and support hunters by saying it was good idea and increased harvests of cougars are sorely needed in some area.  They covered their ability to hunt with them and shafted hunters.  They choose this time and time again.  Look at other states like WY, ID and MT.  Their game agencies are fighting to get stuff delisted and hunts opened up as well as fighting to maintain hunting rights in a very vocal way.  WDFW simply sits back and lets Olympia and the animal rights groups run new legislation and referendums without saying a word.  Shame on them.

[stlusn30-06]

Am I missing something here?

First - I fully agree the state could better manage the wildlife.

That said. The license increase is capped at $15 for hunters and they are going to create a few new license bundles so that those of us that buy a lot of licenses don't get priced out.

This state has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of hunters over the past decade. It has always been on hunters (though I'd like to see that change) to fund wildlife conservation. With the decrease in the number of hunters, the cost of inflation (as this is like the 2nd increase in 20 years) how do you all propose we keep hunting alive in this state?

Not saying I disagree with everything here, but I'm also willing to cough up another few $ to keep hunting alive.

You keep hunting alive by creating opportunities and doing what their charter says instead of caving to special interests, running backroom closed-door deals and generally shafting the hunting public.  If there is no opportunity it doesn't matter what the cost.  WDFW is competing with neighboring states for our hunting dollars and they seem to be doing a poor job at that.

Why would any kid buy points for any OIL tag or even quality deer or elk?  Their chances of drawing OIL is statistically near zero and their only hope of the good quality tags is to have a ton of us old guys die off and hope the younger generation didn't put in for points.

Look at the recent cougar hound thing, they couldn't even come out and say that is a good idea and increased harvests of cougars are sorely needed in some area.  They covered their abilities and shafted hunters.  They choose this time and time again.  Look at other states like WY, ID and MT.  Their game agencies are fighting to get stuff delisted and hunts opened up as well as fighting to maintain hunting rights in a very vocal way.  WDFW simply sits back and lets Olympia and the animal rights groups run new legislation and referendums without saying a word.  Shame on them.

Glad we agree there has been mismanagement. Not sure I agree that the best solution is to just give up.

That said, and as I think about it more, I fully support everyone here who wants to stop hunting in Washington, and wants to head to another state. Spread the word. 

[Stein]

I'm not giving up, I'm hoping to send a message.  If the department gets pinched, maybe they will listen.  I think we are really turning a corner here and with the Orca problem and our governors presidential ambitions I think we really need to have our voices heard.