Returning tags and refunds

[Ridgeratt]

This is just a heads up if you choose to return tags or ask for a refund from the wdfw.
Back in Sept I had A medical issue spent a few days in the hospital. When I got released there was a question if I would be able to participate in the 2021 season. I contacted Olympia to inquire about refund of tags and the restoration of my points.
The customer service person said that if I had a doctors letter they would. Fast forward to  this March when I had the follow up and the attending doctor gave me a release to continue with my life. At this time he gave me a letter stating that I was unable to  hunt during the 2021 season since I was under his care. I sent the letter to Olympia with my request for a refund and the restoration of my multi season points. After not hearing anything for 2 weeks I called them. Found out that my request had been denied. I cited the Wac laws that under the terms of WAC 200 200 100 I was entitled either a refund or a replacement of the tags. Took several emails and phone calls to get to the person who finally made the decision.
But while I was speaking to them. I was informed that the WDFW "considers" if you are select that your season starts at that point. If you ever have to try to get a refund. Keep a copy of all the emails and the names of the folks you spoke with.

[Jingles]

Glad you got things sorted out and your points and fees returned to bad though it took so extra much time and unnecessary effort for something that should of been near automatic once you submitted the DR'S statement. But you were dealing with WDFW and they seem to spend more time polishing the seats of their pants than actual productive work.

[trophyhunt]

I’m confused a bit, did you ask for points and money back for your 2021 multi season permit that you drew and then in 2022 you emailed a doctors note months after the season closed?

[Ridgeratt]

WAC 200 200 100 Section f

(f) A license purchaser who is hospitalized or severely injured and provides a physician's statement that the person was incapable of participating in hunting can obtain a refund or exchange from the Olympia office of the department after providing verifying documentation, provided that the request for refund is made within the license year.


The 2021 season runs from 4/1/2021 until 3/31/2022

[follow maggie]

Not to be mean, but you would have avoided the problem all together if you’d done it in a timely fashion. From their perspective, who’s to say you didn’t hunt & got skunked?  The general rule is well known you have to return tags before the season.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm not up on my WA laws but I went through this a few years ago with MT, WY, ID, and CO and they all require your paperwork before the start of your hunt dates. If my hunts were open I was SOL.

[Bob33]

WAC 200 200 100 Section f

(f) A license purchaser who is hospitalized or severely injured and provides a physician's statement that the person was incapable of participating in hunting can obtain a refund or exchange from the Olympia office of the department after providing verifying documentation, provided that the request for refund is made within the license year.


The 2021 season runs from 4/1/2021 until 3/31/2022

I think you mean WAC 220-220-100.

[Ridgeratt]

WAC 200 200 100 Section f

(f) A license purchaser who is hospitalized or severely injured and provides a physician's statement that the person was incapable of participating in hunting can obtain a refund or exchange from the Olympia office of the department after providing verifying documentation, provided that the request for refund is made within the license year.




The 2021 season runs from 4/1/2021 until 3/31/2022

I think you mean WAC 220-220-100.

Correct I fat fingered.

[arrowflinger]

I had this happen in 2015. But believe I sent paperwork to Utah I believe after the hunt started (general season deer). They refunded my tag fee but not my application fee. I didn't have any points so that wasn't an issue.

I didn't ask WDFW for any refunds because I was afraid that they would take my all my special permit points away for the year.

[Jingles]

Not to be mean, but you would have avoided the problem all together if you’d done it in a timely fashion. From their perspective, who’s to say you didn’t hunt & got skunked?  The general rule is well known you have to return tags before the season.

Timely fashion? For those that say this can tell you from experience trying to get a refund for license fees and/or special permits is NOT high on the thought list when trying to recover from either a stroke or heart attack regardless how minor it is, and anyone that even thinks it is will probably change their mind if it ever happens to them.
THANK YOU ridgeratt for bringing the fact of having an accurate paper trail is important

[Elkaholic daWg]

Not to be mean, but you would have avoided the problem all together if you’d done it in a timely fashion. From their perspective, who’s to say you didn’t hunt & got skunked?  The general rule is well known you have to return tags before the season.

Timely fashion? For those that say this can tell you from experience trying to get a refund for license fees and/or special permits is NOT high on the thought list when trying to recover from either a stroke or heart attack regardless how minor it is, and anyone that even thinks it is will probably change their mind if it ever happens to them.
THANK YOU ridgeratt for bringing the fact of having an accurate paper trail is important

 
  Many of the of the parasites in Olympia believe that ALL the money is theirs, and like sleepy Jay and Joe...the laws don't apply to them. Good job of keeping their feet to the fire since so many act as  subjects, not citizens