IDFG at the WA Sportsman Show

[grade-creek-rd]

Not sure how many of you went to the Puyallup Fairgrounds this past weekend for the Washington Sportsman's Show but if you did, did you happen to see the Idaho Fish & Game booth? They were about 5 or 6 booths down from the WDFW one...here's the difference I noted between the two booths:

WDFW had a game warden to answer questions as well as two or three (depending on time of day) office workers handing out brochures on various "living with wildlife" (in the backyard, such as blue jays and stuff), Fish Washington info/stickers, and other propaganda about wildlife watching and such...basically, very little hunting/fishing and mostly just a vague PR booth. Hardly anybody stopping by.

IDFG: easy to read one page info flyers on various hunting seasons, how IDFG season's and licenses work, including info on the Youth Mentor tags, hunting regs (all seasons), fishing regs...oh, and a lady who is a license specialist and selling non-resident licenses!!!! Yup, I bought my license and tags, and she thought I didn't know my fishing dates yet (you get 3 days of fishing with a hunting license) and when my license printed out I told her I did know the dates and she reprinted it! (free)...then I asked her about my son and the NR youth mentored license...she said all I needed was his SSN and either his Hunters Ed card or a WA license. I went back the next day and got his NR youth license and deer tag (deer tag was $23.75!!!!). She knew all of the seasons, appropriate tags/licenses needed, etc. Excellent Customer Service!!!! I also saved the 3% "on-line fee" and didn't have to worry about printing out my hunting license (a one time shot on-line and if you don't do it then they charge you $10 to mail you one).


My thoughts...if you're going to have a booth at a Hunting and Fishing exposition then make it oriented to hunters and anglers...once again WDFW dropped the ball and IDFG hit a home run. Oh, and there was a line each time I walked by the IDFG booth...answering questions about hunts. They knew their stuff!

Grade

[Ridgerunner]

Smart marketing right there.  This has been going on for several years at the show actually. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Should have gotten a 3 year license to save a few bucks before the 2021 price increase.

[grade-creek-rd]

Damn Karl...I didn't think of that!!!! Actually, I am not sure of my plans for 3 years out...99% likely I'll be in Idaho each of those years, but also there is a chance that maybe I'll venture to somewhere else...I know crappy excuse...also, isn't the 3 year license just for the license cost and not the tags and if I remember right it's the tags that are taking the biggest jump next year.

Grade

[2MANY]

Actually it's humorous since they will be cutting non resident hunter numbers for 2021.

[Karl Blanchard]

Damn Karl...I didn't think of that!!!! Actually, I am not sure of my plans for 3 years out...99% likely I'll be in Idaho each of those years, but also there is a chance that maybe I'll venture to somewhere else...I know crappy excuse...also, isn't the 3 year license just for the license cost and not the tags and if I remember right it's the tags that are taking the biggest jump next year.

Grade

correct but youth pricing is taking the biggest jump.  I think of it as a wise financial decision in a weird round about way. Plus I can use the excuse "but honey, we already bought the kids their licenses! We'd be throwing away money if we didn't go to Idaho!" 

[2MANY]

Actually it's humorous since they will be cutting non resident hunter numbers for 2021.

My point was IDFG is recruiting non res when they know what is coming.

Book it.

[grade-creek-rd]

I like your way of thinking Karl!!!!

Grade

[Karl Blanchard]

Actually it's humorous since they will be cutting non resident hunter numbers for 2021.

My point was IDFG is recruiting non res when they know what is coming.

Book it.

with the insane influx of new residents, it's kind of inevitable. 

[Stein]

A bit off topic, but I just got back from WY and was talking with their F&G office and wardens daily.  The difference in attitude couldn't be overstated, they really cared and bent over backwards to help me in any way.  The lady in the office even came in over the weekend to help hunters out since the season was closing on Monday. 

The other states I hunt are similar, more than helpful where WDFW seems to want you to buy a bunch of stuff and then be as unsuccessful as possible.

[one shot kill]

A bit off topic, but I just got back from WY and was talking with their F&G office and wardens daily.  The difference in attitude couldn't be overstated, they really cared and bent over backwards to help me.

Here in Washington they prefer that we bend over and I don’t mean backwards.

[2MANY]

The 206 would probably vote for that.

[jackelope]

FWIW WDFW had multiple booths there.
 

[idahohuntr]

My thoughts...if you're going to have a booth at a Hunting and Fishing exposition then make it oriented to hunters and anglers...once again WDFW dropped the ball and IDFG hit a home run. Oh, and there was a line each time I walked by the IDFG booth...answering questions about hunts. They knew their stuff!

Grade

Completely agree...this simple example really shows just how clueless leadership and management of WDFW is...they are just completely out of touch with their base.  IDFG...never met a manager or senior leader who wasn't a die-hard hunter and angler who knows the in's and out's of all facets of hunting and fishing in their state...as you mention, right down to the ladies working the front desk selling licenses...most know those regs inside and out.  I don't agree with every decision IDFG has made, but I never doubt their understanding of their base...us hunters and anglers who fund them!

[follow maggie]

They did a good job of answering my questions, too. I'm looking at moving their in a couple months when I see my house, and they had some good input on different areas of the state for various bird hunting and where not to bother.  To be fair, though, I didn't have any questions for the WDFW booths, so I didn't stop.

I really enjoyed the show, I'll miss it when I don't live here, anymore.