38% increase in fishing and hunting licenses

[Karl Blanchard]

Forgot about salmon fishing. That's seen better days for sure

[Blacktail Sniper]

I will just go hunting and fishing with out a license make sure I'm fully ready to deal with the situation what ever it takes I'm at the age I just don't care anymore

Does dealing with that include potential seizure of firearms, tackle, vehicle or boat?

If WDFW still have that as an option for violations, seems like a very high and expensive risk.

 

[freshgrease]

I do believe they should take a better look at "why" sales are down.
Had a conversation with a friend that skipped last year hunting.
I was talking about tactics and up coming plans ect.
Then I mentioned price increases,the total mind set changed,he wasn't excited,and was unsure of his fall season plans.

Raising prices may work for few years and help budget short falls.
It definitely will hurt as a long term plan

I don't know a single person in my life that lets an extra $50ish/year stop them from their hobby. If your friend is that hungup you should spot him the dough to refresh his optimism.

[hunter399]

I do believe they should take a better look at "why" sales are down.
Had a conversation with a friend that skipped last year hunting.
I was talking about tactics and up coming plans ect.
Then I mentioned price increases,the total mind set changed,he wasn't excited,and was unsure of his fall season plans.

Raising prices may work for few years and help budget short falls.
It definitely will hurt as a long term plan

I don't know a single person in my life that lets an extra $50ish/year stop them from their hobby. If your friend is that hungup you should spot him the dough to refresh his optimism.

I agree,everyone on this site,a lot of die hard hunters are not gonna stop over 50 bones.
I was just stating that some folks that do hunt,but not every season. Might be turned off by it. I didn't even realize it till I was talking to him about it. I may buy my father a tag ....maybe.
My friend/co-worker ,he makes a similar wage as me.
So he'll have to figure that out on his own.
Juice Worth the squeeze stuff is his problem.

[GWP]

I have, for as long as I remember, observed and have heard folks complaining about the prices of everything, all while smoking, drinking, driving some absurd gas guzzler thry don’t need, wearing an expensive watch, using a $$$ phone along with a plan for it that equals a car payment, which they may also have.
I tend to not feel very sorry for them any more, or be inclined to “help them out”.

[Bone collector 13]

I have, for as long as I remember, observed and have heard folks complaining about the prices of everything, all while smoking, drinking, driving some absurd gas guzzler thry don’t need, wearing an expensive watch, using a $$$ phone along with a plan for it that equals a car payment, which they may also have.
I tend to not feel very sorry for them any more, or be inclined to “help them out”.

I’m willing to bet the cost isn’t the issue. Idaho is a great example, there seems to be no ceiling on what people will pay for opportunity. But in Wa what are we paying for? Terrible seasons, terrible draw odds, etc.

[vandeman17]

I have, for as long as I remember, observed and have heard folks complaining about the prices of everything, all while smoking, drinking, driving some absurd gas guzzler thry don’t need, wearing an expensive watch, using a $$$ phone along with a plan for it that equals a car payment, which they may also have.
I tend to not feel very sorry for them any more, or be inclined to “help them out”.

I’m willing to bet the cost isn’t the issue. Idaho is a great example, there seems to be no ceiling on what people will pay for opportunity. But in Wa what are we paying for? Terrible seasons, terrible draw odds, etc.

   I am willing to pay whatever I feel is equivalent value and that is why I hunt out of state. I will pay more for a generally better overall experience

[Cougartail]

I have, for as long as I remember, observed and have heard folks complaining about the prices of everything, all while smoking, drinking, driving some absurd gas guzzler thry don’t need, wearing an expensive watch, using a $$$ phone along with a plan for it that equals a car payment, which they may also have.
I tend to not feel very sorry for them any more, or be inclined to “help them out”.

I’m willing to bet the cost isn’t the issue. Idaho is a great example, there seems to be no ceiling on what people will pay for opportunity. But in Wa what are we paying for? Terrible seasons, terrible draw odds, etc.

   I am willing to pay whatever I feel is equivalent value and that is why I hunt out of state. I will pay more for a generally better overall experience

You my friend are a genius. Spend $500 on a camping trip where you take your rifle for a walk or $1500 and drive home with a deer/elk in the back of the truck.

Weird how everyone who heads out of state sends me pictures of dead animals?

[Ghost Hunter]

I see the draw odds getting better all the time.  Pretty soon the nonhunters won't even feel the need to buy a license.

[Karl Blanchard]

I have, for as long as I remember, observed and have heard folks complaining about the prices of everything, all while smoking, drinking, driving some absurd gas guzzler thry don’t need, wearing an expensive watch, using a $$$ phone along with a plan for it that equals a car payment, which they may also have.
I tend to not feel very sorry for them any more, or be inclined to “help them out”.

I’m willing to bet the cost isn’t the issue. Idaho is a great example, there seems to be no ceiling on what people will pay for opportunity. But in Wa what are we paying for? Terrible seasons, terrible draw odds, etc.

you're paying for over the counter hunting. You don't have to participate in the draws to hunt every year.

[actionshooter]

I have, for as long as I remember, observed and have heard folks complaining about the prices of everything, all while smoking, drinking, driving some absurd gas guzzler thry don’t need, wearing an expensive watch, using a $$$ phone along with a plan for it that equals a car payment, which they may also have.
I tend to not feel very sorry for them any more, or be inclined to “help them out”.

I’m willing to bet the cost isn’t the issue. Idaho is a great example, there seems to be no ceiling on what people will pay for opportunity. But in Wa what are we paying for? Terrible seasons, terrible draw odds, etc.

   I am willing to pay whatever I feel is equivalent value and that is why I hunt out of state. I will pay more for a generally better overall experience

Yep, the cost isn't the issue at all.... Karl is correct that you actually get a lot for the couple hundred bucks it costs, overall that seems like a good deal, and really it is.   To me the problem is that at the rate we are loosing our hunting rights, I'll be lucky if I can deer hunt when I retire and along with that, they want to charge more for it.

[elksnout]

The next Washington hunting license I purchase will be my fifty fifth consecutive license in this state. I’ve had and seen some good chit. A lifetime of memories. Hunted with my dad. Mentored my son and his best friend in hunting and both are the best partners I’ve had the pleasure to spend a camp with. How can I even put a price tag on that? Yes, I dislike any price increase no matter the item(s). 

I’ve seen first hand what we’ve lost in Washington. And other states as well beings we also hunt other states each year. I’m retired and live on a fixed income so you guys do the math. I’ll keep at it though until I can no longer climb those mountains and do the hunt due justice.

To those who say they will become outlaws to some extent I would offer if you really want to hand that mentality to your children? We should all strive to set a good example whether it’s hunting or baseball. Life is all about choices. Choose well my friends. It’s my sincere wish that WE all continue to gather around those evening campfires and make memories to last a lifetime.

elksnout

[MADMAX]

The next Washington hunting license I purchase will be my fifty fifth consecutive license in this state. I’ve had and seen some good chit. A lifetime of memories. Hunted with my dad. Mentored my son and his best friend in hunting and both are the best partners I’ve had the pleasure to spend a camp with. How can I even put a price tag on that? Yes, I dislike any price increase no matter the item(s). 

I’ve seen first hand what we’ve lost in Washington. And other states as well beings we also hunt other states each year. I’m retired and live on a fixed income so you guys do the math. I’ll keep at it though until I can no longer climb those mountains and do the hunt due justice.

To those who say they will become outlaws to some extent I would offer if you really want to hand that mentality to your children? We should all strive to set a good example whether it’s hunting or baseball. Life is all about choices. Choose well my friends. It’s my sincere wish that WE all continue to gather around those evening campfires and make memories to last a lifetime.

elksnout

You get it👍

[Karl Blanchard]

The next Washington hunting license I purchase will be my fifty fifth consecutive license in this state. I’ve had and seen some good chit. A lifetime of memories. Hunted with my dad. Mentored my son and his best friend in hunting and both are the best partners I’ve had the pleasure to spend a camp with. How can I even put a price tag on that? Yes, I dislike any price increase no matter the item(s). 

I’ve seen first hand what we’ve lost in Washington. And other states as well beings we also hunt other states each year. I’m retired and live on a fixed income so you guys do the math. I’ll keep at it though until I can no longer climb those mountains and do the hunt due justice.

To those who say they will become outlaws to some extent I would offer if you really want to hand that mentality to your children? We should all strive to set a good example whether it’s hunting or baseball. Life is all about choices. Choose well my friends. It’s my sincere wish that WE all continue to gather around those evening campfires and make memories to last a lifetime.

elksnout

Well said!

And I personally hope you continue to go even after you can't do the hunt justice in your mind.  Make your grandkids push your wheelchair back behind camp a ways with a thermos of coffee or just tend the fire and keep the coffee hot while you await the stories from the days hard chargers

[hunter399]

Not sure if anybody gave this some thought.
I grew up less fortunate than most.
Bringing home a deer was almost mandatory.
Alot of guys are gonna slaughter any buck they can find , especially when the cost is higher .
I don't see it helping our deer herds one bit.