Revenue from special permit applications - Where is it going?

[bobcat]

Quote from the News Release put out April 27 by the WDFW:

Additional revenue generated by the new application system will be used to help expand hunter access to private lands, Ware said.

How many are aware that some (if not all) of the access they are talking about will be in eastern Washington for waterfowl and pheasant hunting?

Is this fair for big game hunters to fund access for bird hunters?

[bobcat]

Read the "Green Sheet." (page 2)

http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2010/03/031310_13_special_hunting.pdf

[bigtex]

Quote from the News Release put out April 27 by the WDFW:

Additional revenue generated by the new application system will be used to help expand hunter access to private lands, Ware said.

How many are aware that some (if not all) of the access they are talking about will be in eastern Washington for waterfowl and pheasant hunting?

Is this fair for big game hunters to fund access for bird hunters?

I have hunted on many private lands under the "Feel Free to Hunt", "Register to Hunt" and "Hunt with Permission" areas that are mainly in E. WA, especially around the Whitman County area and I can tell you this, while the bird hunting (especially pheasant) is very prominent and great on these lands so is deer hunting. So is it fair? Heck yes!

We are in a time where our state government is basically falling apart (and no I didn’t vote for this governor) financially. I have no problem paying a couple extra bucks to WDFW for license fees or permit fees if it saves WDFW programs and/or employees. I have seen many people on here complaining about license fees on here, but then at the same time they complain about the lack of enforcement! It goes hand in hand! The state will not be providing funding for additional personnel for the next couple of years, the only additional funding will be from us

In California the state created a “Warden Stamp” which is not required for any season but the funds go to the Cali Game Warden program to fund things such as equipment and training. It’s basically a way to help support Cali Game Wardens. Guess what, they are selling like crazy and are only 5 or 10 bucks.

[Special T]

Licence plates, Warden Stamps, Dedicated funds are all great ideas. One problem, no matter how many barriers you put up to encourage the politicians to do the right thing the Shysters still find a way around it. fact of life...   Is it more important to do the wrong things exceedingly well or do the right kinds of things average?

[HUNT]

I have no problem supporting funding for more personnel.  Just tell me that up front or dont say at all what the money will be used for.  I just dont like being told the money is going to be used to expand hunter access if it really isnt!  

[bobcat]

One question I have... are they really going to use it to "expand" hunter access, or to just maintain what we already have?

[WDFW-SUX]

Maintain.

[Curly]

Ware said it will expand access on the West side to private timberlands and on the east side for waterfowl.  They should be increasing the cost of state waterfowl stamp if they need more funds for waterfowl access.....  
And I don't trust that the money will go for expanding access to timberlands.......we'll see.

[Special T]

Funny how all our concerns with the WDFW comes down to trust... Hmmm maybee thats the problem?

[PolarBear]

Gregoire has changed the WDFW funding so that ALL procedes go into the general fund and then allocated "as needed".  In other words, to be pissed away as they see fit.  The pheasant release program should be funded ONLY by small game and pheasant hunters.  It is a resource that benefits a very few people.

[carpsniperg2]

gregorie pocket  we have a name for her in this house and the name is  a profession that is not legal  

[bigtex]

The pheasant release program should be funded ONLY by small game and pheasant hunters.  It is a resource that benefits a very few people.

If I remember correctly that was changed this year. Previously the westside pheasant program was funded from all WDFW funds. WDFW proposed eliminating the westside program due to budget cuts and since so few people use it, this angered the W. WA pheasant hunters. So as a compromise WDFW raised the westside license to $90 in order to fund the program. So it is basically a self-sufficient program now

[bobcat]

What about all the pheasants that are released on the eastside? Who pays for that?

[boneaddict]

Probably pheasants forever, or private donations.

[boneaddict]

and to answer your first question....To Gregwhore

[bobcat]

Probably pheasants forever, or private donations.

I don't think so. I believe the WDFW pays for it. But the question is where does that money come from.

[bobcat]

OK, I googled up the answer. The money for eastern Washington pheasants comes from small  game license fees.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/water/ewapheas.htm

In 1997, the Legislature created the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Fund using a “surcharge” of $10 on eastern Washington pheasant hunters. Beginning in 1999 a simplified license system resulted in a single fee for small game hunters. The pheasant enhancement fund will be retained by dedicating a percentage of the small game license fees. It will be based on the number of eastern Washington pheasant hunters.

[BOWHUNTER45]

 I say bull----... They need to show me the lands.. they can say whatever but they also know every sportsmen is not going to research the issue......

[steen]

Did anyone really think this was going to increase the permits you draw for?  I didn't.  It gives me a chance to also hunt a cow elk and cow moose, being I'm in my mid 40's I put in for the males of the species because if I put in for cow I'll start all over for the bull tag.  I think it is great!  I'm looking forward to drawing a cow/doe of any species.  We like eating venison every way you shoot it.  I'm just bummed that I start with zero points for elk cause I drew last year and don't get the extra points for a cow tag.  ( I don't expect any pity though)  I'm looking forward to seeing if I draw something this year.  I just think it may increase the amount of points it takes to draw alot of tags cause more people will put in for more tags is all.  Just hope you don't draw for two different tags in one species cause you only get to shoot one.  (unless it is for a second deer)

[steen]

Oops!  I meant for the last comment to be under the 2009-2010 permit draw comment.

[Wacenturion]

The increased fees won't even maintain the current access.  Most of the lands under agreement with WDFW under "Feel Free To Hunt", "Hunt By Written Permission", etc. were by agreement in exchange for signing of property for access and enforcement, planting of shrubs and trees and or food plots.

This was handled by field staff that essentially no longer exist.  Ware and his peers didn't think much of that program and let it dwindle back to basically being nonexistent in it's ability to deliver the goods to landowners and sportsmen.  The new vision is to pay for quality access......less but better.  Only problem is when you start paying some, all the others that are basically giving you use of their land for the above nominal costs will also want payment.  Human nature.........why should he get paid, especially when he has never been on the program and I have for 30 years and yet you are not paying me.  Bye bye.  Many have already left taking with them thousands and thousands of acres once open, due to lack of interest, stupid bureaucratic paperwork requirements, lack of enforcement, and general care less attitude as exhibited with letting the old program essentially disappear. 

This is so much BS it's laughable, but understandable.............as they needed something to throw out to all of you to make you believe something good was going to be done with the increased revenues.  The new permit system is just an example of how WDFW manages your wildlife resources and opportunities...............we think....we guess....we really don't know.  Wildlife management in WDFW has been in the toilet for the past 20 years............and needs to be flushed and start anew.
   

[Young Buck]

It would be nice to see some expansion in Whitman County. I doubt that will ever happen though.