Do we need the Discover Pass??

[billythekidrock]

So what is the " Recreational Use Permit " good for with our hunting licenses ?

F&W managed lands.

[bigtex]

Sunday I was checked by F&W Enforcement and after all the formalities were over we bs'd for awhile.
 
One of the things I was told was that many officers are not going to write tickets for not having the pass as they don't believe in it. I told him on one hand I am glad to hear that, but on the other, since I bought mine to be legit, that I would rather they ticket everyone who doesn't have it.

That's one officer showing his perspective. It's true that there were some officers who never wrote the ticket for the old WDFW pass. But there were officers that wrote that ticket almost daily. And I will say many tickets have been written by WDFW for the discover pass. You also need to remember that there are some parts of the state that have little or no areas that require the pass, so obviously those officers won't write as many. However WDFW has already written many tickets. It's just like one trooper not stopping people unless their going 10 MPH over and his partner stopping people at 8MPH.

[CAMPMEAT]

So what is the " Recreational Use Permit " good for with our hunting licenses ?

I was down to the Tarpiscan area-part of the Colockum area this morning.  First time I've been there all summer.  At the entrance to the WDFG Area there is now a "Discover Pass Required" sign posted, and down in the lower right corner it says "Or Parking Permit".  (not sure of exact words)  I take it to mean the permit you get when you buy a Hunting License, which I have.  There are no campgrounds there, so only the non-hunters that go in there to hike, mountain bike, birdwatch, or kiss the rattlesnakes would need the Discover Pass.  At least now the squishy tree-huggers have to dig into their pockets to go in there, not just us hunters who have been paying for years.

That's kinda what I was thinking.

[Moose Master]

Great Map and appreciate you sharing the link

[Huntbear]

It all boils down to this basic situation.

Our state government can not balance a check book.  So to get more money out of us that live in this state, they add a 30.00 parking pass fee for state parks.  (They do this because the voters can repeal a tax of any kind)

They then put that money into the general fund, and ooops,,, it got spent on feeding crack heads in Olympia vs. fixing and maintaining our parks...

Guess who got screwed without even getting a kiss out of the deal?

Until enough people are willing to say NO MORE.... they will continue to get away with it.  I have refused to buy one... I have stopped going to state controlled lands other than WDFW land...  Now, if every hunter and fisherman would do that.... how much longer you think that pass would still be there.... or better yet, maybe we should start a class action lawsuit since they are double dipping on hunters and fishermen.....

However, if you buy the pass, you are doing nothing more than feeding the monster that lives in Olympia.... and it is never satisfied.. it can get this one through.. what is next?

[Band]

I have not educated myself on this so-called discover pass, nor do I plan to.  Every time I see another parking pass required for public land I ignore it and just do my best to avoid those areas.  If I happen to get a citation for not having a pass I'll take the time to fight it in court.  Will I lose?  Yeah, probably, but I've had enough of the continual governmental wallet mining.

[bigtex]

It all boils down to this basic situation.

Our state government can not balance a check book.  So to get more money out of us that live in this state, they add a 30.00 parking pass fee for state parks.  (They do this because the voters can repeal a tax of any kind)

They then put that money into the general fund, and ooops,,, it got spent on feeding crack heads in Olympia vs. fixing and maintaining our parks...

Discover Pass funds do NOT go into the General Fund.

[bigtex]

If I happen to get a citation for not having a pass I'll take the time to fight it in court.  Will I lose?  Yeah, probably, but I've had enough of the continual governmental wallet mining.

You and several other people have said they will fight a ticket. On what basis do you plan on fighting it? Nobody has responded to my question.

[Band]

If I happen to get a citation for not having a pass I'll take the time to fight it in court.  Will I lose?  Yeah, probably, but I've had enough of the continual governmental wallet mining.

You and several other people have said they will fight a ticket. On what basis do you plan on fighting it? Nobody has responded to my question.

I'm open to ideas.

Like I said I would expect to lose in court but I wouldn't go down without a fight--it would be my way of making my voice heard.  Personally, I think it's BS that folks sit around on the public dime thinking of ways to get in my wallet.

[SniperDanWA]

Gregoire takes all she can.  The Feds do too.  I know it isn't to go to the General Fund, but with the upcoming special session I would not be surprised if it does.

[Huntbear]

If the wicked witch of Olympia has her way.. that money will be spent on anything BUT Parks or DNR Land..

[crazyantler]

Maybe someone answered it but if you have a hunting license with the vehicle permit do you still need discover pass.  I heard everyone will need it next year but not if you have a hunting license currently?

[runamuk]

Maybe someone answered it but if you have a hunting license with the vehicle permit do you still need discover pass.  I heard everyone will need it next year but not if you have a hunting license currently?

yes you still need it for state parks and dnr lands, the one we get with hunting/fishing licenses is only for wdfw managed lands and if those lands are in a checkerboard of dnr lands you still could be ticketed....

[bobcat]

You still need the Discover pass for DNR lands and State Parks. For WDFW lands you just need the vehicle use permit that you get with your hunting license. As far as I know, it will be the same way next year. Unless they re-write the law before then.

[Yelm hunter]

Ya its just like them raising the hunting license price up and making you buy a small game license to go along with your big game license if you don't have it... Almost an extra $30.00