East/West side WDFW survey

[jackelope]

WDFW WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

Dear Washington Hunter:

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently in the process of developing hunting seasons for 2012-14. In August, the Department conducted public meetings and an online scoping survey and requested help identifying major issues that are important to address during the next three-year hunting season package. Over 3,000 people participated in the online scoping survey; the results are available on our website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/ . We have reviewed the results and comments received and a few of the issues require an additional follow-up survey.

The link below will take you to the follow up survey. The survey is one question and should only take a minute. This is only being sent to hunters that would be regulated by a rule change. The deadline is November 16.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ElkPermits

Note - depending on what species you hunt for you may receive invitations to participate in multiple surveys. Thank you for your time and your interest in managing Washington's Wildlife.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Program 

[bobcat]

They could make the entire state spike only for elk, and then eliminate the east/west tags. Would that satisfy all those people who want the option of hunting both sides of the state?

[Special T]

I'm not really sure how i feel on this...I like hunting the same area each year and i think that does more for you than bouncing around... I definatly would not hunt the E side with out a permit, but i think i  would rather get a permitt in the area i already hunt.

[400out]

thanks Josh  no changes here! 

[kckrawler]

Lot's of people hunting the 3-point minimum wetside after they didn't draw a big bull permit on the east side... 

No change...

[Button Nubbs]

I voted for no change.

[colockumelk]

I voted HELL NO!!!!  That would be horrible for our elk hunting.  1.) It would take twice as long for you to draw an East Side permit and 2.) The west side units would become twice as crowded.  Because everyone would do what I would do.  Which is apply for an east side permit and if not drawn hunt the west side.      SERIOUSLY.  The WDFW can't do ANYTHING right. 

[PolarBear]

Lot's of people hunting the 3-point minimum wetside after they didn't draw a big bull permit on the east side... 

No change...

[jackmaster]

I voted for no change.

[jackelope]

thanks Josh  no changes here! 

[400out]

thanks Josh  no changes here! 

I think you clicked on the wrong smiley with a sign 

[Rainier10]

Click on the survey results and go to the other comments section and read some of the input, tons of "stop all hunting", "leave the elk alone and let nature takes its course"  "find some other way to fulfill your murderous fantasies".  I am sure those people don't have an elk tag, I would assume they have a wild ID number but what the heck.  I can't remember when I took the survey if I had to enter my wild ID or if anyone who clicked on the link could respond, anybody remember?

[Special T]

I wrote the WDFW a complentary note, saying thankyou for requireing a Wild ID # to comment. I think we should all let them know we thought it was a great idea and helps them get a better, more honest respoce form hunters and not activists.. 

[runamuk]

They could make the entire state spike only for elk, and then eliminate the east/west tags. Would that satisfy all those people who want the option of hunting both sides of the state?

or they could make the entire state 3 point min 

[asl20bball]

voted NO!  I do wish they would allow you to purchase a ghost special permit for points only BEFORE you have to elect east vs west. It sucks that I have to decide which side of the state i want to hunt in April when I'm only applying for a point without a change to draw. They could at least make you buy the license but later declare east/west before they give you your tag

[fair-chase]

I wrote the WDFW a complentary note, saying thankyou for requireing a Wild ID # to comment. I think we should all let them know we thought it was a great idea and helps them get a better, more honest respoce form hunters and not activists.. 

 

[WAcoyotehunter]

I voted for no change.

me too.

[JimmyHoffa]

I voted no change too.  Not that I wouldn't like to see a change, but I didn't like the alternative that was shown.  I would like to see something that increased opportunity and quality experiences for hunters, but it didn't seem (to me) that this was it.  Just guessing, but I think many of you are right--a huge percentage of those that normally would have been 'stuck with an east side tag' because they didn't draw an east side permit would head to the west side.  With as crowded as west side already is....

[HUNT]

No change for me and my 3 kids.  So thats 4 more no change votes. 

[B.G.hunter]

Thanks Josh.  I voted no change with mine and my wife's.  But I would like the WDFW to split Northeast and Southeast as well.   

[blackhorn]

It is intresting reading all the comments, between all the BS there seems to be a consensus to get rid of the whole east/west system.  WDFW are you listining? Maybe you should change your survey question!

[asl20bball]

It is intresting reading all the comments, between all the BS there seems to be a consensus to get rid of the whole east/west system.  WDFW are you listining? Maybe you should change your survey question!

I think you're reading this wrong blackhorn...the consensus is to keep the east/west system in place thus the votes of no change.

[King Krok]

NO CHANGE!!!!!!!! Don't f it up, please.

[JimmyHoffa]

I think blackhorn might be referring to the comments in the other survey (seasons 2012-2014).  There was a thread that linked to the a question about elk hunting and most of the comments I saw were from antis, but there were also quite a few that were saying to get away from the east/west thing.

[gotcha]

Need to change permit issue.  Should not draw with 1 or 2 points.  People are maxed out on points and can not even draw.  Messed up.

[bobcat]

Need to change permit issue.  Should not draw with 1 or 2 points.  People are maxed out on points and can not even draw.  Messed up.

 
I don't agree. It's still a random draw. If our state went to a preference point system like many states, only those with max points would have a chance. Then what incentive would there be for the kids to get started in applying for special permits? If you've gone 15 years without drawing a permit, try applying for hunts that are less popular.

[Webfoot]

NO CHANGES!!

[400out]

Need to change permit issue.  Should not draw with 1 or 2 points.  People are maxed out on points and can not even draw.  Messed up.

 
I don't agree. It's still a random draw. If our state went to a preference point system like many states, only those with max points would have a chance. Then what incentive would there be for the kids to get started in applying for special permits? If you've gone 15 years without drawing a permit, try applying for hunts that are less popular.

What are you looking to draw with 15 points bob? Sheep  oh yeah 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

No change for me and my son. But i really don't think they will listen. I think they have there mind made up already.

[EDT]

I voted NO CHANGE.  I still think/wish Elk hunting in this state should be draw ONLY.

[PolarBear]

My kids and I voted no change.

[colockumelk]

My wife voted no change as well. 

[bigpaw 77]

I voted NO CHANGE.  I still think/wish Elk hunting in this state should be draw ONLY.

[SniperDanWA]

No change, will they listen.  Doubt it.

[DoubleJ]

No change for me and my 3 kids.  So thats 4 more no change votes. 

Me and my 2 kids also voted no change

[Curly]

No change, will they listen.  Doubt it.

They will only appear to listen if the results come out as like they want.  The surveys are all for show so that we get the feeling that they are trying to listen.......   (Sorry for being so cynical.......but I don't trust WDFW).

[Special T]

I did a little survey, and marketihng work for the university i attended. They either knew the truth and needed a survey/study to prove the change was necessary. (A waste of time and $$$ if you ask me.) Or had a specific answer they wanted to have verified.  The "Truth" in both cases was not of intrest to the powers that be.. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Cant say I agree with any of it .... I think the spike only thing definately s---ks!!  I think they should make it 4 pt or better just like they did with the whitetail in gmu 117  let those spikes grow alittle or switch it back and forth every 3 years ....

[huntnnw]

now if they would just make hunters pick deer tags! keep some of the westsiders from hunting late buck here

[JimmyHoffa]

So, what is the money angle here?  Are there THAT many say westside tag holders that don't apply for special permits period because they would only apply for eastside permits and can't?  Would it generate that much more in 'Quality Bull' special permit application sales at the new price?  I'm assuming most people that buy eastside tags also buy permits because the spike thing, but on westside you can shoot bulls without a special permit anyways.

[muzzlebuck]

...

[shooter581]

I voted no change!

[hucklebeary]

I voted no and urge eveyone to if they ever want to draw a eastside tag in there lifetime.

[PA BEN]

I live on the west side now. (I'M FROM CHEWELAH) Not by choise, but by job. I hunted the east side for elk for 20 + years. Put in for all the good draws. Never did draw a tag. Now that I live on the wet side I drew a good tag last year and cow tag this year. I say go for it. There is some good draws over here. So I say go for the east side draws. It will open it up over here.