Spring Bear Points

[Bronson]

So this might have already been covered in the many threads on the ending of spring bear, but will we all be getting money back for our points and applications that cant be used?  Could that be used as a tool to help try and get the hunt reinstated?  It may not be a huge amount of money but the dept losing funds should get attention from someone if they end up having to refund all those application fees.

[Ridgeratt]

So this might have already been covered in the many threads on the ending of spring bear, but will we all be getting money back for our points and applications that cant be used?  Could that be used as a tool to help try and get the hunt reinstated?  It may not be a huge amount of money but the dept losing funds should get attention from someone if they end up having to refund all those application fees.

Can you cash in the lotto tickets that aren't winner's?

[Elkaholic daWg]

So this might have already been covered in the many threads on the ending of spring bear, but will we all be getting money back for our points and applications that cant be used?  Could that be used as a tool to help try and get the hunt reinstated?  It may not be a huge amount of money but the dept losing funds should get attention from someone if they end up having to refund all those application fees.

Can you cash in the lotto tickets that aren't winner's?

 

[Crunchy]

Should be able to transfer those points to any one single category. That would be my idea since they took away spring bear.

[northwesthunter84]

Ridgeratt, that comparison is faulty because like our raffle tickets, lotto tickets are a one and done item (which is considered gambling and they have to be done in person). The special hunt points are purchased and carried over, they are not considered gambling and I would argue that they are considered more as an investment of an asset that can be transferred at a later date for a specific hunt.  Even if you are unsuccessful the state still awards you a point for a future opportunity.  The state is assigning a real value to a that point.  I agree with Crunchy we should be able to transfer that to another category of the same value, (i.e. bear points for buck, bull or turkey not quality or OIL).

[Blacktail Sniper]

Small claims court for all those who bought ghost points because of the selling point from WDFW of benefiting the buyer down the road?

[Bob33]

WDFS will argue that spring bear hunts have not been permanently discontinued and thus the points have potential value.

[boneaddict]

Does Washington have the "didnt apply for two years so points are gone rule" or something similiar on the books

[Blacktail Sniper]

WDFS will argue that spring bear hunts have not been permanently discontinued and thus the points have potential value.

Maybe, but still going to cost them time & money to do so...

[Bob33]

Does Washington have the "didnt apply for two years so points are gone rule" or something similiar on the books

No. They never expire even if not applied for again.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Does Washington have the "didnt apply for two years so points are gone rule" or something similiar on the books

Not yet...

[trophyhunt]

Talked w a WDFW employee, the spring bear points will just remain in your catagory, in case they bring back spring bear someday.

[bobcat]

Talked w a WDFW employee, the spring bear points will just remain in your catagory, in case they bring back spring bear someday.

Of course they will. Not sure what else they could do. Unless they make some special bear hunts in the fall and use the points for that. Actually, that probably IS what they will do. Eliminate general season and go to permit only in the fall. Oops... probably shouldn't be giving them any ideas. (because I'm sure they read this forum)

You know, I also have youth deer, elk, and moose points too, in case I'm ever reincarnated as a kid.

[Stein]

There are really going to be some angry people with lots and lots of points when the first OIL category goes away.

[Ridgeratt]

And then you can have a conversation about your investment in the asset.
But I don't think the powers to be will ever admit to the lost opportunity. They will just continue to wave the carrot 🥕.  People will still flock to the dealer for a few chances on a reduced opportunity.

How many people remember when they sold chances for sheep in the blues and they knew that the herd had been all but wiped out because of pneumonia.

[hunter399]

I have zero points.
Drawed last year it took place.
Shot at one boar and missed.
Passed a few sows .

But knowing,what I know now.
I'd probably shot any bear.
If I known that spring bear would never happen again.
I was being very cautious durring the season and was looking for a biggin male bear.

It didn't make a difference by passing some bears by.
So that makes me a little frustrated.

I feel for you guys,especially the higher point holders that didn't get your chance at it.
Some of you that had been ghost points for many years,not so much. You could of got drawn.
Should of hunted it,instead of ghost point.

These are just my take on it.

Maybe they should make a July season.
Get drawn ,you get a 30 day head start over everyone eles.
Not really spring in July.
So saying that there not awake from hibernation ,would be BS.
Maybe something like that could get some points used up.

Extra 30 days/July season.
If drawn you will be eligible for 3 bear tags.
If you harvest in July.

Now somebody fill out one of those petition and make the commission consider it.

Make sure you call it ,extended draw fall season.
On the petition.
Don't be stupid and say spring.

[ghosthunter]

I talked with a game guy several years ago that worked on Spring Bear.

He was always frustrated about hunters who would pass small bears in hopes of bigger bears than not take one.
He told me the best Spring Bear hunters in his mind were the ones that just killed bears.It was never meant to be a trophy hunt. It was a damage hunt and he wanted bears shot.

[hunter399]

I talked with a game guy several years ago that worked on Spring Bear.

He was always frustrated about hunters who would pass small bears in hopes of bigger bears than not take one.
He told me the best Spring Bear hunters in his mind were the ones that just killed bears.It was never meant to be a trophy hunt. It was a damage hunt and he wanted bears shot.

I was mainly giving sows or sows with cubs a pass.
Due to the controversial stuff going on the last year it took place.
If I wanted to just fill the tag ,it would of been filled.
Here is a vid I took with my phone,no spotter,no bionocular,
Just my phone.

[trophyhunt]

The best part of spring bear for me was being able to trophy hunt, seeing 17 bears in 20 days of hunting you were able to be picky.  I always looked for the big ones, killed a few good bears by passing up dinks.  Only one year did I not fill a tag when I easily could have.

[hunter399]

Yup ....
Not sure if a extended fall season would work for a draw.

Would anybody be interested in a extended fall season?
Would you be ok using your points toward a different bear hunting opportunity.

Seems like any opportunity to use those points ,would be better than the points just sitting there like now.

July is mating season,like bear rut I think.

[jrebel]

Yup ....
Not sure if a extended fall season would work for a draw.

Would anybody be interested in a extended fall season?
Would you be ok using your points toward a different bear hunting opportunity.

Seems like any opportunity to use those points ,would be better than the points just sitting there like now.

July is mating season,like bear rut I think.

The fall season is plenty long.....August 1-till most bears den up Nov. 15.  Only way to extend it would be summer which I am not a fan of due to the heat.  Over the counter spring season with two bear limit statewide (only one can be harvested in the spring).  That is my vote. 

[hunter399]

Yup ....
Not sure if a extended fall season would work for a draw.

Would anybody be interested in a extended fall season?
Would you be ok using your points toward a different bear hunting opportunity.

Seems like any opportunity to use those points ,would be better than the points just sitting there like now.

July is mating season,like bear rut I think.

The fall season is plenty long.....August 1-till most bears den up Nov. 15.  Only way to extend it would be summer which I am not a fan of due to the heat.  Over the counter spring season with two bear limit statewide (only one can be harvested in the spring).  That is my vote. 

I agree ,it's got my vote too!
I was just brainstorming ways people could use there points.

[RB]

There are really going to be some angry people with lots and lots of points when the first OIL category goes away.

 

I would be mad about that for sure!

[hunter399]

There are really going to be some angry people with lots and lots of points when the first OIL category goes away.

 

I would be mad about that for sure!

Oh you know ,those oil permits will go to only 1 permit.
For awhile before there gone.
Unless our Commission swings the hammer at them.

[boneaddict]

You’ll laugh, I was at max points for spring bear. Lol.  I was following the science.  I assumed they’d open more and more units.   I was hoping for a tag in the Methow.  Oh well 

[wannabhntr]

So this might have already been covered in the many threads on the ending of spring bear, but will we all be getting money back for our points and applications that cant be used?  Could that be used as a tool to help try and get the hunt reinstated?  It may not be a huge amount of money but the dept losing funds should get attention from someone if they end up having to refund all those application fees.

Can you cash in the lotto tickets that aren't winner's?

Do losing lottery tickets acrue? Get so many and you're a winner? Kind of a poor comparison.

[Ghost Hunter]

That's how green stamps worked until they didn't.