"Almost 65" under the new permitting system

[Bob33]

I think there will be another class of ticked off hunters with the changes to permits this year. 

Everyone's current point total has been rolled into all the categories this year.  Everyone has all his points in all the categories: Youth, 65 and Over, Disabled, and so forth.

Take the hunter who is 63 and has been applying for elk for 14 years.  With his 14 points he may draw this year, or next, but in two years he will be eligible to apply for the "65 and over" category of hunts.  That is some consolation. 

However, as I understand it under the new system he will have zero points in the "65 and over" category when he reaches 65.  That is because next year (when he is 64) his points will be purged in all categories that he is not eligible in.

[bobcat]

Yes, just one more example of what is wrong with what they are doing with our points this year. No matter how you look at it, it is unfair. It wouldn't have been so bad if they would have just added only an antlerless category to both deer and elk, and included youth, senior, disabled hunter, and master hunter permits within those categories. I see no need for all the separate categories, other than it will allow the WDFW to sell more applications. The really bad thing, is that in certain categories, there are only 1 or 2 hunts. These hunts are now going to become extremely difficult to draw, because everyone that buys that application has no choice but to put in for those hunts.

[SkookumHntr]

I think there will be another class of ticked off hunters with the changes to permits this year. 

Everyone's current point total has been rolled into all the categories this year.  Everyone has all his points in all the categories: Youth, 65 and Over, Disabled, and so forth.

Take the hunter who is 63 and has been applying for elk for 14 years.  With his 14 points he may draw this year, or next, but in two years he will be eligible to apply for the "65 and over" category of hunts.  That is some consolation. 

However, as I understand it under the new system he will have zero points in the "65 and over" category when he reaches 65.  That is because next year (when he is 64) his points will be purged in all categories that he is not eligible in.

The way In understand it is if he has 14 right now he will have 14 in that catagory when he turns 65. It says in the regs that whatever you have right now goes into all catagories so where are you hearing that after next year his points wont be in that catagory

[bobcat]

Bob33 has "inside" info. I'd believe what he says over what you read in the regs.

[SkookumHntr]

Oh ok bobcat I'll do that Not that it matters to me being 28 but that would be just onemore BS move by are joke of a game dept!

[littlemac]

So all the over 60 and under 65 guys need to draw before they are 65 or we start over in the new category.  WOW, now that's a lot of bull to get a bull.

[bobcat]

Well either way they do it, it's wrong. Someone who is 65 this year gets to take advantage of all their accumulated points being placed in the senior category. They can apply for a senior hunt with a good chance of drawing because they have 14 points. But they never applied for a senior hunt before! Why should they have 14 points in that category? So basically, the WDFW is allowing certain people to "cheat" the system. The thing is, they shouldn't have a special senior category anyway. There's no reason for it. They also don't need separate youth and disabled hunter categories. Those should all be lumped into the antlerless category.

[Bob33]

We will find out next year.  I have been told that after 2010 points will be zeroed out in all categories for which a hunter is not eligible; the application of points to all categories is for this year only.  That makes sense for a category like youth, but not for a category into which I will someday be eligible.

As Bobcat rightfully pointed out, it cuts both ways and will disadvantage someone.

[Ray]

I agree Bob33. I think it's wrong. When someone hits 65 their points could be applied.

[Wacenturion]

I think there will be another class of ticked off hunters with the changes to permits this year. 

Everyone's current point total has been rolled into all the categories this year.  Everyone has all his points in all the categories: Youth, 65 and Over, Disabled, and so forth.

Take the hunter who is 63 and has been applying for elk for 14 years.  With his 14 points he may draw this year, or next, but in two years he will be eligible to apply for the "65 and over" category of hunts.  That is some consolation. 

However, as I understand it under the new system he will have zero points in the "65 and over" category when he reaches 65.  That is because next year (when he is 64) his points will be purged in all categories that he is not eligible in.

Holy crap Batman..............you talking about me.

[Curly]

That problem could have been helped by making the applicant choose which eligible category their points were to be applied instead of simply throwing points into all categories.  But WDFW said that would be too complicated for Outdoor Central..................

So for the guy who has been approaching 65 the last several years thinking that he would just use the accumulated points eventually for a senior hunt.  Then he gets screwed by this change........that sucks.  I agree with Bobcat, they should have just had antlered and antlerless categories and not all these other ones.   This new system stinks....

[Curly]

oh.........and BTW, this is another thing that could have been brought to the attention of Dave Ware if he would have allowed the public to take a look at the proposal last year.

[provider]

It is reasonable that you are only allowed to accrue bonus points in categories in which you are eligible.

I mean c'mon, otherwise that would be like if I expected to receive Social Security benefits someday?, I would be expected to pay for it no...  oh wait a minute...  forget that thought.

On a serious note, you will notice when purchasing special permit applications, you can only buy those in which you are eligible...  the way it should be.  I can't imagine many individuals saving up their points for 65 and older permits.  But hey, who knows what senility can do to you?   

[Ray]

In light of the changes I don't think there should be pools based upon age group..... Or based upon master hunter classifications. The way it should be is that everyone should have the same opportunities to buy the same permit applications. With the exceptions of disabled veterans and other disabled individuals.

The changes were poorly organized and received very little to zero public input. Contrary to the claims by the game department. Pretty typical of many changes this year and in years past. It's fairly evident the wdfw doesn't seem to care about hunters. Otherwise they would have attempted to get real input. From the looks of my purchases so far this year they have actually received less of my cash.

[Elkaholic daWg]

From the looks of my purchases so far this year they have actually received less of my cash.

Right THERE is our only power.........the ONE thing that will get their attention.