WDFW Sells Record Number of Special Hunt Applications in 2019

[hunterednate]

I cant believe that many people apply for turkey tags😂

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😂😂😂😂😂 that was my thought as well!

Ditto! That's the first thing that jumped out to me there. Over 1500 turkey apps? Wut??

[JBar]

I know I'm speaking for just one family but my daughter bought nothing this year, my son just points for moose and sheep, my wife only 5, moose-sheep-goat-quality deer/elk and myself the same 5. About a third of what we normally do as a family.

[ctwiggs1]

Lots of extra cash flowing around in this economy!

[Mudman]

Wow, really?  Well I spent $0 for the record so I have the right to complain about the system.  All those 20pt people getting draws!  Uh it does not work that way.  They have 20pt for a reason remember, cause they didn't get drawn for 20 years!  My Dad is one of em, and he is bout done with it.  I can see no changes will be coming to better the system based on these #'s.  I understand its too many people but man there has to be a better way that isn't about lining their pockets.

[ctwiggs1]

Get rid of points.  Then your dad has the same odds as everyone else... every year 😂

[Karl Blanchard]

Its added opportunity people not a guaranteed right. You've got general otc. Permits are extra.

[ctwiggs1]

Its added opportunity people not a guaranteed right. You've got general otc. Permits are extra.

And very good OTC at that. Our state may not have the highest trophy potential but if you’re a more meat-focused guy like me, it’s not hard to fill the freezer in WA.

[bobcat]

Its added opportunity people not a guaranteed right. You've got general otc. Permits are extra.

And very good OTC at that. Our state may not have the highest trophy potential but if you’re a more meat-focused guy like me, it’s not hard to fill the freezer in WA.

I certainly wouldn't call our general seasons "very good." Not even good. Now, killing a spike blacktail buck isn't too difficult, as long as you have a place to hunt, which for many people means paying $350 to $400 for a timber company access permit. And elk? General seasons with success rates of around 5% on average. I wouldn't call that very good either. Or look at mule deer, for example, in Yakima and Kittitas county. Many units have success rates under 5%.

I think perhaps the sales of special permits is increasing because of the poor hunting in this state during the general seasons. So people are more willing to spend money for a chance at a decent hunting opportunity.

[cem3434]

I cant believe that many people apply for turkey tags😂

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😂😂😂😂😂 that was my thought as well!

I heard rumor that with the record turkey apps, WDFW is considering making it a quality hunt and doubling the app fee next year.   

[Ridgerunner]

I honestly cant believe these numbers.  There must be a whole bunch of newbies getting into the game each year that don't realize the true odds on these drawings. 

[trophyhunt]

Special turkey apps!    yeah, that is funny!

[X-Force]

I honestly cant believe these numbers.  There must be a whole bunch of newbies getting into the game each year that don't realize the true odds on these drawings. 

I’m having a hard time believing it as well because this year was the first year non hunters ED people were excluded from oils. There was a small reduction of applicants right off the top removing those people from OILS, then there was a boom in applicants across the board?

GoHunt was also showing exaggerated application numbers from last year. They said they were working with WDFW to correct the exaggeration. 

[Wazntme]

I would buy an antlerless turkey tag!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Considering the email congratulating multi-season winners, some who did not even apply, I would not be surprised if they might have some numbers a little off.

[TVHunts]

Considering the email congratulating multi-season winners, some who did not even apply, I would not be surprised if they might have some numbers a little off.

 

They must be paying someone some big bucks for all the new marketing emails this year.  I attributed the marketing to a lack of sales..... hard to believe those increased numbers.