Elk Permits - allow east and west apllication

[Elkaholic daWg]

This is one of those issues that they should not have even had the survey question because it is such a bad idea.  It is one of those things that WDFW should just say no to even if the survey showed 60% in favor of it........it is just a bad idea.

[colockumelk]

LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!!! It would not be good folks. Tags would be harder to draw and the westside would get very crowded.

     
It would be bad for hunters and bad for the elk. 

[trophyhunt]

I think this will lower the odds of drawing a eastside bull tag and increase hunting pressure during Westside general seasons. I don't like it.

[Huntbear]

I have to disagree with most here. 

Yes it may lower your odds of that monster Dayton bull tag....  However, everyone complains about the lack of hunting options in this state.  They are offering you one, that will increase your opportunities for elk.  Now your gonna bad mouth the WDFW for doing that?  Make up your minds.

How many more people are actually gonna hunt the wetside?  Not that many more.  Most do not like to hunt in the rain, and the damp and the fog, and the brush.  I see it as a good thing, something that our letters and comments have actually done some good about. 

The fewer Restrictions we have the better I like it.  Although this may just be something to appease us hunters after the wolf issues.

Just my 

[bullcanyon]

I strongly disagree with you. I do not apply for east side permits only because I don't want to hunt spikes. I guarantee I am not the only one. There will a large increase in the number of east side applicants. Why wouldn't a hunter want to try and draw the best tags in the state and if unsuccessful come hunt for branched bulls?

And I have no complaints about the opportunity I have available for west side archery. Outside of a better season schedule. I really enjoy what I get to do.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I have to disagree with most here. 

Yes it may lower your odds of that monster Dayton bull tag....  However, everyone complains about the lack of hunting options in this state.  They are offering you one, that will increase your opportunities for elk.  Now your gonna bad mouth the WDFW for doing that?  Make up your minds.

How many more people are actually gonna hunt the wetside?  Not that many more.  Most do not like to hunt in the rain, and the damp and the fog, and the brush.  I see it as a good thing, something that our letters and comments have actually done some good about. 

The fewer Restrictions we have the better I like it.  Although this may just be something to appease us hunters after the wolf issues.

Just my 

This will decrease east side hunter opportunites and increase west side hunter opportunities.  Everyone knows which big bull tags to apply for on the east side, but unless you live on the west side, you might as well hunt spikes than try to go figure out a west side branch bull area.

 I say go back to the 5 elk regions.  Apply for the hunts where you actually hunt, not where you hear all the elk are.  Once you do get drawn, you will have a vast amount of knowledge on the elk in that area and wont be scrambling to figure out the area the month before the season opens.

[Woodchuck]

 

Just imagint the extra revenue, now we will have eastside categories a 9 bucks a pop and then westside at 9 bucks a pop.  This will pass and it will suck for all.

[6x6in6]

This one's a no brainer.
If it can generate additional revenue and give the perception of increased hunting opportunities, this will go through.
You know that the perception of hunting opportunity increase will be what they hang their hat on here.  Certainly not added revenue. 

My gut says a decrease in east side license purchases and an increase in west side purchases will be the result in this.

[JimmyHoffa]

I strongly disagree with you. I do not apply for east side permits only because I don't want to hunt spikes. I guarantee I am not the only one. There will a large increase in the number of east side applicants. Why wouldn't a hunter want to try and draw the best tags in the state and if unsuccessful come hunt for branched bulls?

And I have no complaints about the opportunity I have available for west side archery. Outside of a better season schedule. I really enjoy what I get to do.

Yeah, you're not the only one!  I know plenty of guys on the westside that hunt locally because not wanting to deal with the low draw odds and spikes.  And they have the gear (trailers/ATVs/trucks) to hunt the eastside.  They head over that way each year for mule deer, they just don't have enough incentive to go there for elk.....yet.

[bobcat]

This one's a no brainer.
If it can generate additional revenue and give the perception of increased hunting opportunities, this will go through.
You know that the perception of hunting opportunity increase will be what they hang their hat on here.  Certainly not added revenue. 

My gut says a decrease in east side license purchases and an increase in west side purchases will be the result in this.

I agree with your last sentence but I still don't understand where the additional revenue would come from?   

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I think he is saying people who want to hunt the west side and don't by special hunt permits, will start buying them. 

In theory it sounds good, but what if the wdfw says to many branch bulls are being killed and changes those branch bull areas to spike only? 

[walt]

 
I know more than a few that would put in for east and hunt west if not drawn if that were an option. = more revenue from eastside permit sales and worse odds for all who put in.

[bullcanyon]

I'm not sure about added revenue. I still buy ghost points every year. I will seriously consider not buying an elk tag next year if this happens. So more like a loss of revenue. Several of my buddies are on the same page.

[bobcat]

I know more than a few that would put in for east and hunt west if not drawn if that were an option. = more revenue from eastside permit sales and worse odds for all who put in.

OK, so I'm still not quite sure what you guys are saying.

Let's see if I'm understanding this correctly- you think that people who now hunt the westside, DO NOT apply for west side special permits, but if they could hunt the west side and apply for east side special permits, they would?

My question is why would these people not already be applying for the special permits on the west side? Apparently some of you feel there are NO special elk permits on the west side worth applying for? Is that correct?

[walt]

I know more than a few that would put in for east and hunt west if not drawn if that were an option. = more revenue from eastside permit sales and worse odds for all who put in.

OK, so I'm still not quite sure what you guys are saying.

Let's see if I'm understanding this correctly- you think that people who now hunt the westside, DO NOT apply for west side special permits, but if they could hunt the west side and apply for east side special permits, they would?

My question is why would these people not already be applying for the special permits on the west side? Apparently some of you feel there are NO special elk permits worth applying for? Is that correct?

I'm saying that I believe there are many who buy a westside tag and don't apply for westside permits. Givin the option to buy eastside points and still hunt west they would.