Post by: Dhoey07 on January 26, 2012, 07:46:05 AM
To whom it may concern,
Reading through the license types and fees page on wdfw.wa.gov, I noticed some items that really rub me the wrong way. First, the age to be considered a senior is set at 70. Second, the price of hunting licenses and tags are the same for seniors as residents. I find this offensive and disrespectful to the older generations of hunters residing in our state. Most these seniors have been in the woods and fishing our rivers for decades, contributing countless amounts of money through license sales, gear, and gas and you make them wait until 70, and no discount on hunting?! This won’t pertain to me for a long time, as I am only 26, but I feel ashamed that our government disregards the involvement and contributions this group has given to the younger generations and yourself (through tax dollars) . What is the reasoning for this? A lot of sportsmen are unhappy with wdfw as a whole and I can understand why.
Thank you for your time,
Danny Hoey
Post by: h20hunter on January 26, 2012, 07:50:00 AM
Post by: GoldTip on January 26, 2012, 08:31:32 AM
Post by: boneaddict on January 26, 2012, 08:50:49 AM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on January 26, 2012, 08:55:59 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on January 26, 2012, 09:18:40 AM
You have to understand that WDFW doesn't give a rat's a** about sportsmen. You're just revenue mules to them. In house they commonly refer to sportsmen as "Joe Six Pack". That tell you anything?
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 26, 2012, 10:28:46 AM
Post by: bigtex on January 26, 2012, 10:41:52 AM
Post by: 400out on January 26, 2012, 10:49:53 AM
Post by: grundy53 on January 26, 2012, 10:51:57 AM
Post by: bigtex on January 26, 2012, 10:54:21 AM
:tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: So tex your telling me that WDFW has no say at all in the rates
WDFW can provide input, but they are not the final decisionmaker. Like I said with the two-pole endorsement, WDFW wanted it to be $10-15 cheaper then what it currently is....
Post by: doyourtime89 on January 26, 2012, 11:07:06 AM
Post by: buckhorn2 on January 26, 2012, 11:20:50 AM
Post by: Arteman on January 26, 2012, 11:36:15 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on January 26, 2012, 12:39:02 PM
The ones that actually make the decision on fees and licenses is the legislature. For example the Two-Pole endorsement WDFW wanted it to be $10 or $15, it was the legislature that made it $25.....
Granted, but WDFW proposes them to begin with. Two pole endosement is a prime example of just how ridiculous it all is. For eons, two polling equates to a ticket. Had to be bad for the resource if you got a ticket right? Well welcome to the 21st century WDFW mentality. No longer bad for the resource. Now you can just pay for the privilege to do what used to be illegal. Thanks for your support.
Post by: Slenk on January 26, 2012, 01:24:41 PM
Great letter! Glad you found a nice way of putting it!How many 70 year olds do you see in the woods!
I know of quit a few of us over 70 and several over 80 still out there. :tup:
In Idaho I could get a hunting license for $4
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 28, 2012, 12:00:53 PM
Great letter! Glad you found a nice way of putting it!How many 70 year olds do you see in the woods!
I know of quit a few of us over 70 and several over 80 still out there. :tup:
In Idaho I could get a hunting license for $4
I think you and your fiends are definitely the exception to the rule.
Post by: NWBREW on January 28, 2012, 01:27:05 PM
Great letter! Glad you found a nice way of putting it! I had not noticed the age reguirment for seniors! How many 70 year olds do you see in the woods!
My father went hunting with me last year at 80 years of age. Sadly it will most likely be his last. The price should be a lot less in my opinion because the number of years left to be in the woods hunting will be less as well. Great letter.
Post by: Dhoey07 on January 30, 2012, 08:43:54 AM
Danny
Thank you for contacting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The age in which a license purchaser is considered a senior was decided through legislation. WAC governing the age requirement was enacted prior to the Department of Wildlife and Department of Fisheries merged into the current WDFW. I would recommend that you contact your legislator on this issue because legislation is the only means to change the pricing that is charged for licenses. You can look up your legislator at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/Members.aspx. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact us at 360-902-2464 or by email at licensing@dfw.wa.gov.
Kris Thorson
WDFW - Licensing Division
Recreational Licensing Supervisor
Phone: 360-902-2451
Email: Kristopher.thorson@dfw.wa.gov
I e-mailed my 3 legislators today. I'll let ya know when i get a response from them.
Post by: Wacenturion on January 31, 2012, 07:40:14 AM
Post by: Bob33 on January 31, 2012, 12:12:25 PM
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.08.010
See (49).
Post by: TheHunt on February 07, 2012, 10:06:16 AM
The lobby for the AARP is one of the strongest in the nation. Business and Government fear them. Get together and make your case to the AARP.
Post by: wence5 on April 05, 2012, 10:47:01 AM
Good letter hope you get a reply in oregon my grandmother and Dad always got what they called pioneer licenses that were free but can;t remember what the age was to obtain one you also had to be a resident for a certain time.
The Pioneer License is a free lifetime license. In order to qualify you will need to be 65 years or older on the date of the application, and have lived in Oregon for 50 years. A senior citizen (age 70) can get a lic. for $21.50, an $8 reduction. Washington, it would appear, is in it for the $$$$.