Survey Says!!!

[Fullabull]

Well, there is a new three year hunting survey out which does not cover much since our Governor has reduced what can be done with regards to hunting regulations due to how well she is running our state 

Anyway, the link to the survey is: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/

This was the only question that will really spark some response!

Issue Title: No Longer Require Elk Special Permit Applications to be Consistent with the Geographical Designation on a Hunter's Elk Transport Tag (East/West)

The current rule requires elk hunters to select eastern Washington or western Washington when buying an elk tag. The eastside/westside system has been in place since 2000 and is a simplification of the old five elk tag area system. Both were implemented to address hunter crowding issues.

The eastside/westside system restricts where elk hunters can hunt during the general season. It also restricts which special permits they can apply for. Hunters have expressed the desire to apply for special permits statewide.

We continue to receive requests for rule changes from those hunters that want to apply for special permits in a different part of the state than they have designated when selecting their elk tag.

If this change were implemented there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be some hunter crowding issues in western Washington and it will be more difficult to draw a quality elk tag in some of the eastern Washington units because applicant numbers will increase.

Which one of the following options do you prefer for the issue of no longer requiring elk special permit applications to be consistent with the geographical designation on a hunter's elk transport tag (east/west)?   

1. No Change: Leave thinks as is.
2. Retain east/west elk tags, but allow statewide special permit applications.
3. Allow hunters with eastern or western elk tags to apply for the Quality category of special permits.
4. Allow hunters with eastern or western elk tags to apply for the Antlerless and Bull Elk categories.
5. Other (please specify):

[Elkaholic daWg]

"We continue to receive requests for rule changes from those hunters that want to apply for special permits in a different part of the state than they have designated when selecting their elk tag."


 Is there anyone here that doesn't believe that DFW wants this on their own for the added $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ from the DOUBLED quality  and other app fees?
 Voted no change. They only fix what isn't broken.

[jackelope]

1.

[Fullabull]

I have to say, it would not be fair to those who always hunt the east side to all of a sudden allow all the west siders to apply for the eastern quality hunts as that is what would happen.

I hunt the west because I do not want to hunt just spikes, my choice, I have to live with it. I would love to get an eastern quality hunt (that is why I put in for the multi season permit) but that doesn't mean I should have my cake and eat it too! I vote no change...

Fulla

[bowhuntersd]

As you said, this is a TOUCHY subject. I would also like my cake and eat it too, but the fact is with the system now it makes a person make a decission and stick to it. If your a westsider and you choose to put in for a east side permit then don't draw, stay home or hunt cows and spikes. The oppisite for the eastsiders putting in for the west and don't draw a permit, hunt only bulls (in most units) with the masses.
I choose #1...... If it aint broken don't try to fix it. 

[BULLBLASTER]

NO CHANGE!
I also made the comment to only allow one permit catergory per species. If a hunter applies for quality they can't apply for antlerless or Bull. This would increase odds. I also think that if you draw and accept a permit that should he the only area/time your tag is valid... like Idaho controlled hunts.

[et1702]

No Change!!!  I'm not sure who the hunter's are that they are referring too.  But, if they implement the change, it would make drawing a quality elk tag much more difficult.  Can you imagine trying to get drawn for a Peaches Ridge tag when east and west side hunters can apply.  No way...leave it alone!

[GoldTip]

I vote for no change from current system.  Or at least none of the changes they have referred to.

[runamuk]

1. No Change: Retain east/west elk tags, but allow statewide special permit applications.

are you all saying number 1 seeing the full statement?

personally I would only put in for permits if I didnt have to choose a side ahead of time ...and actually since I usually cant afford to buy my tags until last minute the chances of me applying for jack are about zilch....so my input is kinda useless

[6x6in6]

Run just pointed out what I saw.
Agree GoldTip!!

No change?  Allow Statewide?
I think this is a change and yet they did not list the present situation as a true No Change.
 

[6x6in6]

OK, now I clicked on the link.
The OP's options were not posted correctly.

Which one of the following options do you prefer for the issue of no longer requiring elk special permit applications to be consistent with the geographical designation on a hunter's elk transport tag (east/west)?   

No Change
Retain east/west elk tags, but allow statewide special permit applications.
Allow hunters with eastern or western elk tags to apply for the Quality category of special permits.
Allow hunters with eastern or western elk tags to apply for the Antlerless and Bull Elk categories.
Other (please specify):

[brianmtsinc]

1 - NO CHANGE

[Fullabull]

Sorry about that everyone.... 
I forgot to hit return on the first one when I pasted it in..

there are four options..first being No Change at all...!

[hoytem]

I would definitely like to be able to apply for special permits anywhere in the stae and declare east or west after the drawing

[6x6in6]

Sorry about that everyone.... 
I forgot to hit return on the first one when I pasted it in..

there are four options..first being No Change at all...!

I figured that once I saw it after I pasted it too.
It's all good!!! 

[jackmaster]

i agree with the many absolutely NO CHANGE AT ALL. i dont think it would be ok with me if a guy gets to put in for eastside tags but can hunt the wetside if he doesnt get drawn, but i also think they should do soemthn about the spike only for the eastsiders maybe they could give out a few more permits or make it a 3 or 4 pt or less restriction, and i also think they should do that on the wetside make it spike only and give out more permits until the westsides elk numbers increase like the eastside has.. K  ready for my ass chewin now........

[BULLBLASTER]

I would definitely like to be able to apply for special permits anywhere in the stae and declare east or west after the drawing

you do realize that will completely kill the odds for the popular tags way worse than they already are? West side will become even more crowded.

[runamuk]

I am one of the ones who does not like having to choose a side mainly because my money is so limited I dont know where I will be able to hunt or even if I will .... which is why I havent bothered trying to enter any of the special drawings so far the only ones I am interested in are elk and I have to pick a side so just decided to not bother....better than buying a tag to enter a drawing and then not getting to use the tag

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

1.

[firedog]

No Change, I like it the way it is since it spreads things out. Oregon has the statewide thing and it makes the westside crowded and harder to draw the eastside tags with everyone applying for them all the time.

[rasbo]

keep it the way it is

[hoytem]

I would definitely like to be able to apply for special permits anywhere in the stae and declare east or west after the drawing

you do realize that will completely kill the odds for the popular tags way worse than they already are? West side will become even more crowded.

not if they also change the spike only restrictions for the east side. either way you look at it the 3pt min. and spike only restrictions are for the same purpose. you're either shooting bulls younger or older. bulls are bulls! the only difference is the state rakes in app. $$$$

[Recurve-Elk]

No change!

[halflife65]

Changing would be a disaster.  Premium hunts would be (more) impossible to draw and more people would pile to the west side to shoot a big bull if tags aren't drawn.

I'm completely willing to pay the penalty of hunting spikes if I don't draw a tag but not everyone is willing to do that or they live on the westside and want to hunt close to home.  I completely get that but it really screws the hunters that are willing to take the gamble on the eastside big bull tags and reduces the chances of draw for everyone that puts in for the premium units.

I responded with "no change."

[BULLBLASTER]

I would definitely like to be able to apply for special permits anywhere in the stae and declare east or west after the drawing

you do realize that will completely kill the odds for the popular tags way worse than they already are? West side will become even more crowded.

not if they also change the spike only restrictions for the east side. either way you look at it the 3pt min. and spike only restrictions are for the same purpose. you're either shooting bulls younger or older. bulls are bulls! the only difference is the state rakes in app. $$$$

i dont remember seeing the elimination of the spike only reg as an option.

[hoytem]

it wasn't

[BULLBLASTER]

seeems like every idea they have to help odds and increase hunter approval are detrimental to the purpose that they stated. remember the permit categories were supposed to increase odds of drawing a tag... thet worked well...  i actually like the east/west rules.

[foambeetle]

Thanks for posting this and the link to the survey.  I went with "no change," because it seems to me it is the "net positive" choice.

[HUNT]

I voted for NO CHANGE.  You should set this up as a poll.  I would like to see where this poll comes out vs what the state decides to do....   

[B.G.hunter]

I said current system with 3 zones (westside, northeast, and southeast)

[Skillet]

I would definitely like to be able to apply for special permits anywhere in the stae and declare east or west after the drawing

you do realize that will completely kill the odds for the popular tags way worse than they already are? West side will become even more crowded.

not if they also change the spike only restrictions for the east side. either way you look at it the 3pt min. and spike only restrictions are for the same purpose. you're either shooting bulls younger or older. bulls are bulls! the only difference is the state rakes in app. $$$$

If you lifted the spike restriction and went 3pt+ on east side, why would anybody put in for tags? 

I voted no change.  But I can see them doing it as a revenue grab. If that happens, I've bought my last Washington State elk tag.

[raghorn69]

NO CHANGE