Permits

[Ghost Hunter]

cannot believe that most of the 10,000+ applicants out there even know where to find them.

I'd have to agree with that.

Ain't that why they call it hunting?

[Ray]

cannot believe that most of the 10,000+ applicants out there even know where to find them.

I'd have to agree with that.

Ain't that why they call it hunting?

Definitely. I think that with the way the permit areas are set for these critters.. they pretty much show you where some are going to be at as well. Good luck to those that draw. I'm not complaining. I just don't think that many folks would have as much success as a smaller ratio of others. I'm not propagating any sense of elitism either. If I never draw a goat tag (or any other tag for that matter) my life will still be ok and I don't really fret over draw results. I don't sit around and whine about draw results for more than about 10 seconds because there are so many other options and other activities besides hunting anyway. It's true that I do take part in the anticipation of getting a draw but the matter doesn't consume my day. I do believe in the pay up front for the tag proposal. Anyone who draws a goat tag and wants a scouting partner I'd be more than happy to help. Cool animals.

[Ridgerunner]

The whole bonus point system has caused draw odds to tank in this state.  Before bonus points there were only about 100 people that put in for sheep tags, there were late mule deer rut hunts in Nov where a guy had a 25% chance of drawing a tag every year!  Once they started bonus points the number of guys went up considerably, they did away with the elk hunters who put in for tags having to sit out the first half of the season, etc. etc.

[smdave]

When did they start the points system? here is the 1998 permits.


Dave

[bobcat]

The point system started in 1996.

[kirkl]

Man, look at the applicant numbers compared to now.  Thats crazy.

[smdave]

1998 Elk Permits



Dave

[GOcougsHunter]

Ghost hunter,
You are correct.  And it's definitely not about elitism or being exclusionary.  Sheep, Goat, and Moose are lifetime hunts for Washington State.  WIth twenty goats alloted a year, that makes for a total of 400 goats in the next 20 years.   With only 20 people being removed from the applicant pool per year, the number of hunters still applying through this current system will mean that your chances are still very slim to pull a tag even after 40 years of applying for the low number of animals. 
It would be nice to know that each and every tag is being applied for not because "hey it's only 5 bucks" but, because someone has their eye on a particular animal or herd.  I don't put in for Moose, because I know that there are people out there who would appreciate a moose hunt 100 times more than I would.  I'm always concerned when I see all the special permit numbers where a number of hunters didn't even hunt their special tag. 
Granted, there will be a time when I cash in the retirement savings plan and fly to BC for a goat hunt, but, it's not the same as seeing that one billy on my favorite peak in an area that I know like the back of my hand.
Just my thoughts...

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Honestly, if i drew one of those permits my first day of scouting would be the next day. I am 30 years old, and i am a realist. I will probably never draw one of these permits, therefore i do not actively scout them because of the time and money i would waste never being able to hunt them.
I put in for them for the chance of a lifetime. I have never seen a moose in the wild,but i want to hunt them. I have seen the sheep and goat in the columbia gorge.

I will be hunting moose in BC in a few years, and most likely i will be submitting applications in other states because i want to hunt them so bad. Plus they taste good.

[billythekidrock]

Another big reason application numbers have inflated is the amount of hunt choices. When a guy can put 4 choices he tends to "fill er up" with choices. Sometimes his 3rd or 4th choice is another guys first or only choice. That 3rd & 4th choice ends up inflating the applicant amount for the other guys 1st choice unit.

[boneaddict]

Best two states to put in for and draw.....IDAHO and NEW MEXICO.   What do they have in common....no points.   
First year I put in for Moose, I drew.
Next season....first year I put my Dad in for Moose.... He Drew
First year I put in for Monster Bull elk, in the hardest unit to draw in NM and guess what I drew.

This state...........12 years now trying for a stinking deer permit where I grew up in the Methow.     NONE DRAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnsc6]

The real problem is when they decided to lower the cost of applying for tags. Now you can apply for deer,elk ,sheep, moose,goat for $25.
When the cost was higher it kept those that were not serious from applying.  The Dept. saw this and knows its easier to get $5 from 10,000 people over $50 from 1,000 people.  Made it cheap enough that you have to be mentally twisted not to apply.  The lowered cost and internet, are the main reasons draw odds have sky rocketed inthe last 10 years.

[GoldTip]

I agree, even if the application for the permit simply went up to $25 a species that would cut down on the number of people applying.  But it would not be so exorbitant that EVERYONE who REALLY wants to couldn't find a way to apply.  I do agree many apply simply because it is so cheap.

[WDFW-SUX]

Thats a really good Idea...........half of the people can't even remember when to apply anyway, special permits can't really be that important to them.

[johnsc6]

I apply in at least a half dozen states every year ( with different point systems) and the weighted or (squared ) point system really isn't all that bad.  You always have a chance, yet your chances go up exponentially as you build points.  I agree with the previous post that it is plain B.S. that the WDFW has really bad habit of extending the deadline for procrastinators.  As far as the redraw goes, not sure, maybe it is fair to redraw if someone with ten deer points was only given one chance in the drawing rather than 100