Another Permit Question

[Curly]

The guy from the GMAC that gave public input at the March Commission meeting seemed to have a woodie over the idea of the additional revue being used for land access.  

[Fish4Fun]

If we could only keep the almighty dollar out of the programs that are not benefited by the hunters and fishers in this state I wouldn't have much problem with the permit fee's. But, since we all know that the majority of the money will go to help non animal / fish things I do have an issue with spending the money on permits. But, like everyone else that is so passionate about the outdoors we will buy the permits and spend the money. Dang near a blackmail of the outdoorsmen / women, if we want to play then we will pay and the folks that make the rules know dang good and well we will pay.

[Bob33]

It might be acceptable if they presented it that way.  They didn't.  They said it would improve draw odds.  They said they had strong public input and support.  Neither is true.

[bobcat]

I don't mind paying extra money either, but only if it is for something beneficial. They started out supposedly trying to come up with a plan to increase odds of drawing permits, and what they ended up with is going to do the opposite. It would have been better to simply double the cost of permit applications, and keep everything else the same.

[Fish4Fun]

The other issue I was thinking about with all of the "new" permits was, does this increase the amount people are in the hills longer. Seems the animals are on the run now from Sept. till January. With all of the "NEW" opportunity there has to be very little rest time for the critters.

[Bob33]

No increase in hunter pressure.  The number of permits is the same: just more applicants trying to get one.

[Fish4Fun]

Thanks, I haven't had a chance to sit down and go through some past hunting regs yet.

[Ridgerunner]

I expect to see a big increase in the number of guys that put in for permits this year. 

It used to be in the early 90's that alot of the Yakima area units had late deer tags, maybe 25 permits with less than 100 applicants for them.  The year that the state initiated the bonus point system and started giving us 4 choices(previously it was one) the number of applicants shot up.  I expect the same this year as many guys will see this as something "new" and want to start getting those points so they don't miss out.   

[bobcat]

I agree, add in the word "Quality" (for the Quality category) to the "newness" factor, and there will definitely be a lot more people who will decide to begin applying for special permit hunts. And that will be seen as a success by the WDFW.

[boneaddict]

Your theories are on a roll today Ridge, and probably quite accurate sadly to say.

[winston2789]

 

[Bob33]

Predictions:
(1) WDFW will generate more revenue from the sale of permit applications, and tout the new program as a resounding success.
(2) WDFW will find one or two hunters that drew "quality" tags under the new program and interview them. They will state how wonderful the new program is.
(3) 2011 will bring even more categories to apply in: left handed shooters, right handed shooters, calibers below 270, calibers above 270, December hunts, non-December hunts....
(4) Hunter numbers will decline in 2011 over 2010.  WDFW will blame it on George Bush or climate change.

[boneaddict]

ITs really too bad I think you are so right.

[Fish4Fun]

Just think guys, they haven't messed with Duck Hunting yet. That could be a whole new permit issue. Permits for Mallards, Pintails, Buffleheads, Goldeneye. Drake permits and Hen permits, the possibility is endless on how to generate more hunter dollars for state funded things like basket weaving.      

[NRA4LIFE]

Man, you guys are really depressing me.  Oh well, at least I drew Montana deer this year.  That thought cheers me up.

Ridgerunner is spot on IMO.