IF hunting seasons are canceled, how should WDFW handle special permits?

[idahohuntr]

Curious how folks feel and what has support - not a thread to discuss COVID or stay home orders etc - just a focus on how WDFW should deal with permits IF there are closures, given they are holding a drawing this year.  We know how they've handled things in the past with fire closures and other limited closures, but assuming a widespread closing of seasons for public safety, how should WDFW handle special permit holders?

My personal opinion - if they award a permit, especially for quality and high demand hunts, I think they need to try and honor it...whether by exceptions to closures or carrying it forward.  I can't imagine drawing a M,S,G or Quality elk/deer and then having it taken away. 

[hunter399]

Well I can tell ya ,
I'm holding a spring bear permit ,that I live in the area I can hunt it without stopping for gas just a few miles from my house.They are not gonna honor $@!# .They will give you your points back end of story.If you get drawn with anybody that lives out of area you are screwed.

[Oh Mah]

I would only vote in this if there was an option that said refund all money keep points where they are at now.No i don't think the state should get a dime if they close the season they can suck it up just like all of us in my opinion. 

[Mfowl]

I voted for option 1. I think refunds should only be offered on license fees if the seasons are canceled. If you want ghost points you have to pay the app fees all the same. Restore points but no refunds for apps.

[jackelope]

Restore points back to where they were prior to the draws and refund all permit application money.
I guess you could give everyone a point and keep the $$.

[GurrCentral]

If it was an OIL they absolutely will have to roll the permits over to next year, so the hunter can hunt his permit. OIL permits are soo hard to draw, restoring points will not suffice......

[Oh Mah]

 

[Rainier10]

Let permit hunters hunt.

(I have a permit so I’m biased)

[wags]

I don't have a dog in the fight; never have paid for a chance to draw a tag.
But, why don't they just not have any drawings the next year and let everyone use their 2020 tag during the same season in 2021. It's the only thing that seems fair. Sure, nobody will draw anything in 2021, but at least no one gets screwed out of something they already have.
Or just double up on the hunts next year; so if a unit draws 10 branched antler bull elk tags in 2020, then in 2021 there will be 20 hunters in the unit going after branched antlered bulls. Probably no biological problem with that idea.

[Mfowl]

If it was an OIL they absolutely will have to roll the permits over to next year, so the hunter can hunt his permit. OIL permits are soo hard to draw, restoring points will not suffice......

I agree with something being done for OIL hunts. I would certainly be upset if the carpet was yanked out from under me in that regard.

[jrebel]

I would vote for them to keep the money and those who drew start back at 0 points.  Everyone else gets their point for not drawing and can put in next year.  Really guys....this is not their fault.   Governor Inslee is the one to blame so if you don't like it please don't take it out on WDFW.   How can WDFW be held accountable for this, they are just puppets it Inslee's puppet show.

Clearly this is nonsense.....and some what rhetorical!!!  The fact that the season is not open is stupid.  At the end of all this mess, they should prorate everyone's tags for the lost hunting and fishing opportunity due to shutdowns.  If people want a full refund, they should get it.  For those who drew....they should be able to use their tags next year.  I wonder how many WDFW employees are furloughed or laid off right now?  No reason for them to be employed if there is nothing to patrol. 

Again...my vote is:  people that want a full refund get it with points restored.  People that say in it get a prorated tag next year or partial refund this year.  Those who drew get to keep their tags for next season and those who don't get the opportunity at a draw next year get a free point. 

[jackelope]

I’m pretty sure when the fires shut down the mountain goat hunts a few years ago, those folks got tags the following year. Pretty sure there was a guy on here whose dad had a tag. I believe it was 2018, maybe naches pass or bumping river goat hunts.

[hunter399]

I’m pretty sure when the fires shut down the mountain goat hunts a few years ago, those folks got tags the following year. Pretty sure there was a guy on here whose dad had a tag. I believe it was 2018, maybe naches pass or bumping river goat hunts.

I know a spring bear hunt is not a oil hunt . But I've tried to pitch the idea of double the amount of permits next year.This year's plus next year's and for some reason they don't want to do it.Even though this year is gonna be no harvest for spring tags,and spring bear has a very low harvest rate compared to the amount of tags given each year. Of course fall harvest has went up ,so maybe that's why.

[jackelope]

Non OIL special permit hunts have been cancelled before. Points are returned to the tag holder. No other special handling done.

[hunter399]

Non OIL special permit hunts have been cancelled before. Points are returned to the tag holder. No other special handling done.

I know whole thread is what if.
But I would be shocked if they double down on moose tags the following year.These shutdowns are way stupid with the no travel from the governor.So if we are in a shutdown in the fall there will be no travel even for oil tags.