Post by: windygorge on May 05, 2012, 10:26:23 AM
most don't see how they have manipulated the purchasing of license. washington state is the top state in generating annual revenue for hunting. yes, more than colorado, montana, idaho. they are crooks. just like how they are slowly increasing our license plates fees again. im not much for specifics, but it is obvious to the most simple people on what they are doing. they offer package "deals" for those who think they are going to hunt certain species. someone will look at the package and say, "hey, look at that, i can get elk, deer, bear, and cougar in a package. but if i buy them seperate, wow that would be sooooo much more. i better get the package deal". most people buy those special deals, and might only hunt one of those critters. thats where they make their money. its a scam and is another reason i can't stand washington government!!!
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on May 05, 2012, 10:36:29 AM
Post by: windygorge on May 05, 2012, 10:39:57 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on May 05, 2012, 11:11:01 AM
Post by: Wenatcheejay on May 05, 2012, 12:35:48 PM
Well, they have a monopoly on their Game. So pretty much they can charge whatever they want.
I just paid $108 for a tank of fuel. The tags are quite honestly not the biggest issue. :twocents:
Post by: Nuc99 on May 05, 2012, 12:44:11 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 05, 2012, 12:53:26 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 05, 2012, 12:56:21 PM
Post by: Dhoey07 on May 05, 2012, 01:05:48 PM
Another thread :bash: I start bear hunting August 1st and finish with duck season at the end of January 6 full months of hunting. Cheaper than 6 months worth of cable tv.
6 full months of hunting? :yike: Do you not have a job?
Post by: Nuc99 on May 05, 2012, 01:15:26 PM
Post by: bobcat on May 05, 2012, 01:19:06 PM
I've said it many times, if you think it's too much money, don't hunt! Nobody is forcing you to spend the money.
I think $36 for two people to watch a movie is too expensive, so I don't go to movie theaters. I think $100 for dinner for a family of four is too much, so we don't go to restaurants.
But for about $200 I can hunt deer, elk, bear, cougar, grouse, ducks, geese, pheasant, chukar, coyote, and bobcat for a year, and I think that's worth it, so I spend the money. Like I said, if it's not worth it to you, then simply keep your money and quit hunting.
Post by: Mudman on May 05, 2012, 01:24:28 PM
Post by: Humptulips on May 05, 2012, 01:25:01 PM
For most people it amounts to at most 3 or 4 weekends and maybe a week off. So you're taking about 2 weeks or a couple days more.
Really though my complaint is not with the price it is with the reduced opputunities but for more money.
Post by: bobcat on May 05, 2012, 01:31:44 PM
Or like I've said in other threads, just get a deer license for about $45 and get the archery tag. That gives you most of September, a good portion of November, and all of December to hunt deer.
I have a hard time feeling sorry for people when they're spending money on licenses and tags they don't use and don't need. Most people could probaly skip the bear and cougar tags, and probably the elk. You also don't need a multi-season tag or a Discover pass. If you buy a deer or elk tag you don't need a small game license unless you also want to hunt bobcats. Grouse are legal with just the deer or elk license.
Also if you feel it's a waste of your money, you don't need to apply for any special hunts. There is plenty of opportunity to hunt in this state during the general seasons.
Post by: Curly on May 05, 2012, 01:42:13 PM
You also don't need a multi-season tag or a Discover pass.
Also if you feel it's a waste of your money, you don't need to apply for any special hunts. There is plenty of opportunity to hunt in this state during the general seasons.
You do need a discover pass if you want to hunt DNR lands. Capital Forest for example. I can't hunt there anymore because I refuse to give-in and pay for the lousy pass that is really only in existence to keep State Parks funded (on the backs of hunters BTW).
You don't need to apply for special permits, but they sure were some fun hunts back when the system was setup so you could actually draw something. That is why they know they can charge what they are and people will still buy them.........they may bitch, but they will still buy with the hopes of drawing something good.
But you are right about archery. I'm just about convinced to go to archery.........lot more opportunity there than ML or MF and you don't need to draw special permits to be able to take cows in a lot of units.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 05, 2012, 02:10:39 PM
Post by: bobcat on May 05, 2012, 02:15:34 PM
Quote
Another thread, and yet we chime in again.
Yes you did! :chuckle:
And that is the purpose of a message board, so nothing wrong with that.
And Bowhunter- I'm always broke too! Ever since I had kids! Before kids money wasn't a problem. :hello:
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 05, 2012, 02:17:14 PM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on May 05, 2012, 02:27:40 PM
Post by: Nuc99 on May 05, 2012, 02:34:04 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on May 05, 2012, 02:49:23 PM
It's amazing how much we pay as RESIDENTS isn't it. My good friend has 4 kids and a wife that he is putting through hunter ed. I can't imagine what it's gonna cost him for everyone to get their licenses and permit apps. :yike: :yike:
No, it's not amazing.
New Mexico residents pay up to $90 just to hunt elk. Arizona residents pay $120 to hunt elk. Those are the prices IF youre lucky enough to get drawn. What is a WA state elk tag going for again?
Post by: predatorpro on May 05, 2012, 03:12:41 PM
So what is the dollar amount of a deer or elk to you guys? Do you think everyone should hunt for free? Do you think they owe you a deer or elk?no they dont owe us deer or elk because they dont own them! :) hunting use to be free until the government realized they could make money off it, its not their god given right to charge people to be able to shoot an animal...even tho they think it is...y dont they start charging for how much of their air that we breath too...dont think that air is just for you to breathe for free!!
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 05, 2012, 03:15:33 PM
Get em PredatorPro :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:So what is the dollar amount of a deer or elk to you guys? Do you think everyone should hunt for free? Do you think they owe you a deer or elk?no they dont owe us deer or elk because they dont own them! :) hunting use to be free until the government realized they could make money off it, its not their god given right to charge people to be able to shoot an animal...even tho they think it is...y dont they start charging for how much of their air that we breath too...dont think that air is just for you to breathe for free!!
Post by: PolarBear on May 05, 2012, 03:18:46 PM
I can't believe it, another thread on this same topic- AGAIN?:yeah:
I've said it many times, if you think it's too much money, don't hunt! Nobody is forcing you to spend the money.
I think $36 for two people to watch a movie is too expensive, so I don't go to movie theaters. I think $100 for dinner for a family of four is too much, so we don't go to restaurants.
But for about $200 I can hunt deer, elk, bear, cougar, grouse, ducks, geese, pheasant, chukar, coyote, and bobcat for a year, and I think that's worth it, so I spend the money. Like I said, if it's not worth it to you, then simply keep your money and quit hunting.
My cousin is always complaining about how much tags cost him to hunt this state and Idaho but he does not mention the fact that he gladly spends thousands on fuel road hunting, drives into town from camp every night to buy beer and go to eat, hits the titty bar a couple of times during the hunt and then comes home empty handed or with some dink buck where he winds up with 60 pounds of meat. Yeah, in comparison to all th other crap the costs of tags is pretty negligible. :twocents:
Post by: predatorpro on May 05, 2012, 03:19:08 PM
lol i just watched V for Vendetta last night so im still in anti government mode :chuckle: :chuckle:Get em PredatorPro :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:So what is the dollar amount of a deer or elk to you guys? Do you think everyone should hunt for free? Do you think they owe you a deer or elk?no they dont owe us deer or elk because they dont own them! :) hunting use to be free until the government realized they could make money off it, its not their god given right to charge people to be able to shoot an animal...even tho they think it is...y dont they start charging for how much of their air that we breath too...dont think that air is just for you to breathe for free!!
Post by: predatorpro on May 05, 2012, 03:22:02 PM
and with that said...there will be another price increase for the next million years :chuckle:I can't believe it, another thread on this same topic- AGAIN?:yeah:
I've said it many times, if you think it's too much money, don't hunt! Nobody is forcing you to spend the money.
I think $36 for two people to watch a movie is too expensive, so I don't go to movie theaters. I think $100 for dinner for a family of four is too much, so we don't go to restaurants.
But for about $200 I can hunt deer, elk, bear, cougar, grouse, ducks, geese, pheasant, chukar, coyote, and bobcat for a year, and I think that's worth it, so I spend the money. Like I said, if it's not worth it to you, then simply keep your money and quit hunting.
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on May 05, 2012, 03:23:31 PM
Post by: predatorpro on May 05, 2012, 03:27:20 PM
Post by: fireweed on May 05, 2012, 07:42:47 PM
Post by: NWBREW on May 05, 2012, 11:47:47 PM
Hunting license
Deer Tag
Elk tag
antlerless moose app.
any moose app.
Bighorn ram app.
Bull elk app.
Quality bull elk app.
Quality deer app.
Plus I hunt forest grouse. So the way I see it I still have a chance at a deer and elk without the apps.. I will only have to pay moore if I get drawn for moose or ram (and that never happens :'( ) Money well spent if you ask me. The raise in cost sucks...but I'm still hunting. :twocents:
Post by: Moose22 on May 06, 2012, 07:08:22 PM
Post by: bobcat on May 06, 2012, 07:22:53 PM
LMAO- titty bar and hunting and dink.
I have to admit- I LMAO at Polarbear's post too! :chuckle:
Post by: mtman on May 06, 2012, 07:24:53 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 06, 2012, 07:36:24 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on May 06, 2012, 07:59:30 PM
Post by: Mudman on May 06, 2012, 08:09:43 PM
Post by: jumpin on May 06, 2012, 08:29:42 PM
I can't believe it, another thread on this same topic- AGAIN?
I've said it many times, if you think it's too much money, don't hunt! Nobody is forcing you to spend the money.
I think $36 for two people to watch a movie is too expensive, so I don't go to movie theaters. I think $100 for dinner for a family of four is too much, so we don't go to restaurants.
But for about $200 I can hunt deer, elk, bear, cougar, grouse, ducks, geese, pheasant, chukar, coyote, and bobcat for a year, and I think that's worth it, so I spend the money. Like I said, if it's not worth it to you, then simply keep your money and quit hunting.
Dont forget about your GOOD TO GO PASS
Post by: predatorpro on May 06, 2012, 08:29:51 PM
Our prices not to bad? I cant believe what I hear. Ask yourself why the discover pass was created? To fund parks etc. We all know hunting moneys go in states general fund and there is plenty to fund parks. The bottom line is they will take as much as they can get away with. We are simply a revenue program to legislators. Talk to someone who was hunting in the 70s what they paid? Cost is relative to each person based on their income thus the different opinions. If moneys collected went to wildlife programs cost would be significantly less. I dont mean to rant but c'mon just because YOU can afford it doesnt mean others can or that it is fair. "Rich mans sport" We are heading that way. I have relatives who gave up hunting long time ago because it was too expensive. Ya they are POOR.:yeah: i agree! how many people put in for tags out of state on here? i can barely afford to buy just my license, and i only buy as much as i can afford which is normally less than $100 for special permits....
Post by: Special T on May 07, 2012, 09:53:41 AM
If the cost and hunting were the same, and we still had lots of bad policies that we couldn't get around, their could still be one thing that could change our attitude.
"Attitude is a reflection of leadership"
We get no meaningful leadership from the WDFW or the commission. IF the WDFW was our most staunch ally, and did things that made sense we would have no room to bitch. Things they could have done?
1 Not propose some BS regs about night hunting for coyotes
2 Made a statement that hound hunting is a political problem because it PROVIDES SOUND SCIENTICIF management of bears and courgars
3 attempted a plan to delist wolves in the NE because the USFS would have allowed that IF it were part of the plan.
4 When the issue of separate merganser limits were brought up 7 years ago they could have moved in support of it.
5 They could have made an effort to support hunting coyotes with dogs instead of taking it away.
WDFW are not our friends! There are many good people that work for them but their LEADERSHIP sucks and many of those "good" people can't/won't do anything to reign in their stupidity! :bash:
Its not the price, its the :crap: service and treatment we get from the department for the $.
Post by: Curly on May 07, 2012, 09:55:14 AM
Post by: Wenatcheejay on May 07, 2012, 11:09:42 AM
Everytime this topic comes up i have to say this because SO many people get this mixed up! :bash: Many of you get mad at the price, but really its not the price that pisses you off. Its the lack of VALUE we get from the WDFW that pisses us off.
If the cost and hunting were the same, and we still had lots of bad policies that we couldn't get around, their could still be one thing that could change our attitude.
"Attitude is a reflection of leadership"
We get no meaningful leadership from the WDFW or the commission. IF the WDFW was our most staunch ally, and did things that made sense we would have no room to bitch. Things they could have done?
1 Not propose some BS regs about night hunting for coyotes
2 Made a statement that hound hunting is a political problem because it PROVIDES SOUND SCIENTICIF management of bears and courgars
3 attempted a plan to delist wolves in the NE because the USFS would have allowed that IF it were part of the plan.
4 When the issue of separate merganser limits were brought up 7 years ago they could have moved in support of it.
5 They could have made an effort to support hunting coyotes with dogs instead of taking it away.
WDFW are not our friends! There are many good people that work for them but their LEADERSHIP sucks and many of those "good" people can't/won't do anything to reign in their stupidity! :bash:
Its not the price, its the :crap: service and treatment we get from the department for the $.
Dead on correct. WDFW is bestowed with game management using best available science. When I see Defenders of Wildlife and ConNW at the table I do not feel the least bit sorry to be willing to challenge or at least question their policies. If some people call that bitching then great, bitch, bitch, bitch.
Post by: Mudman on May 07, 2012, 05:59:57 PM
Post by: PolarBear on May 08, 2012, 01:39:48 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on May 08, 2012, 05:52:55 AM
I can see why we should not be beaching :dunno: :bash: this our state and it should not be costing us this much money to enjoy it ... Does Idaho residents pay this kinda money or even Montana ...Hell no they do not ... I mean come on .. The moose tag doubled from last year if you get drawn and we have more moose ... This is messed up and if we keep going along with this sheet then we are cutting our own throats ... we are residents of this state and it should be a priveldge for us living here ... a buddy of mine just called me an hour ago and was just going off..I DO NOT BLAME HIM AT ALL ...I have to buy all tags for 3 in this family and I have not made the money I usually make ...it is going to be tough to come up with all this money by the 15th .... maybe I will just say peeees on it :dunno: :sry:
Idaho
Hunting Licenses 33.50
Bear Tag 11.50
MT. Lion 11.50
Deer Tag 19.75
Elk Tag 30.75
Permit Applications fees 6.25
Archery Permit 18.25
Muzzleloader Permit 18.25
You also have to front the entire tag fee plus permit application to apply for any OIL tags.
So if you want to hunt bear, mt. lion, deer, and elk in Idaho its $107.00. If you want to apply for specail permit for those species add on 6.25 per species. If you want to hunt archery for deer or elk add on 18.25, or if you want to hunt deer or elk with a muzzleloader add on 18.25.
Not much cheaper is it?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 08, 2012, 07:06:35 AM
I can see why we should not be beaching :dunno: :bash: this our state and it should not be costing us this much money to enjoy it ... Does Idaho residents pay this kinda money or even Montana ...Hell no they do not ... I mean come on .. The moose tag doubled from last year if you get drawn and we have more moose ... This is messed up and if we keep going along with this sheet then we are cutting our own throats ... we are residents of this state and it should be a priveldge for us living here ... a buddy of mine just called me an hour ago and was just going off..I DO NOT BLAME HIM AT ALL ...I have to buy all tags for 3 in this family and I have not made the money I usually make ...it is going to be tough to come up with all this money by the 15th .... maybe I will just say peeees on it :dunno: :sry:Yeah :chuckle: do not forget about the GOOD TO PASS :chuckle: :chuckle: That just added another $35 ! :dunno: :yike:
Idaho
Hunting Licenses 33.50
Bear Tag 11.50
MT. Lion 11.50
Deer Tag 19.75
Elk Tag 30.75
Permit Applications fees 6.25
Archery Permit 18.25
Muzzleloader Permit 18.25
You also have to front the entire tag fee plus permit application to apply for any OIL tags.
So if you want to hunt bear, mt. lion, deer, and elk in Idaho its $107.00. If you want to apply for specail permit for those species add on 6.25 per species. If you want to hunt archery for deer or elk add on 18.25, or if you want to hunt deer or elk with a muzzleloader add on 18.25.
Not much cheaper is it?
Post by: Special T on May 08, 2012, 10:44:59 AM
My buddy, who has known Rob McKenna for 20 years told me that if Rob is elected Governor that he plans on taking departments like the WDFW out of the general fund and back to being somewhat self sufficient. Since the WDFW funds have been thrown into the abyss that is the general fund, it has gone straight down the crapper at a higher rate of speed. That needs to be turned around!
That could be the best damn thing for the department IF they realize who their customers are. Unfortunately they seem to think that ESA Grants from the Feds are their new $$$ source. They treat us like badly but will fall back on us and our revenue EVERY time they have a financial hiccup. :twocents:
Post by: blackdog on May 08, 2012, 08:09:25 PM
Post by: Special T on May 09, 2012, 12:14:07 AM
Post by: Deep Forks on May 09, 2012, 03:25:37 AM
Well black dog If hunters pay the bills then it would stand to reason that they would be represented instead of bunny huggers... I think that many people are upset at the VALUE the WDFW not really the price. My evidence is the number of people that say they will hunt out of state and spend way more.. I vaguely remember the WDFW trying to sell us on the hunting "experience" that did not really include notching a tag. I think Dave Workman poked fun at them saying we aren't interested in taking nature walks with guns. I'm willin got pay for representation, but many of these clowns have got to go. :twocents::yeah: :yeah:
Post by: blackdog on May 09, 2012, 06:45:00 AM
Post by: Dave Workman on May 09, 2012, 01:16:01 PM
So what is the dollar amount of a deer or elk to you guys? Do you think everyone should hunt for free? Do you think they owe you a deer or elk?
Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do.
Post by: buckfvr on May 09, 2012, 01:22:59 PM
At the very least, pay your due with your harvest report........DIdnt bag an animal ????, Dont owe a thing. :twocents:
Post by: Nuc99 on May 09, 2012, 08:49:29 PM
Post by: Nuc99 on May 09, 2012, 08:52:50 PM
Post by: windygorge on May 11, 2012, 05:17:49 AM
Post by: Curly on May 11, 2012, 05:58:16 AM
They don't listen to us anyway, so I'd rather they did get more money from the general fund if that would allow them to lower the fees they are charging now. I believe the whole category special permit deal was thought-up because they knew the general fund money was drying up and they had to find a way to get us to pay them more $. They should have been cutting programs and staff instead of bilking us for more money. :twocents:
Post by: bobcat on May 11, 2012, 07:19:50 AM
Quote
to tell someone that if its too expensive, then don't hunt is ridiculous. just listen to yourself bobcat.
I'm not sure I said for someone to quit hunting altogether, but what makes sense is to cut back on how much you buy. Don't buy everything. I have 16 sheep points but this year I didn't buy a sheep application. I also did not buy a fishing license. That's how I'm cutting back. Of the once in a liftetime species I only applied for moose. I think it's kind of ridiculous to compare our prices to other less populated states. Of course our prices are going to be higher. We have more people and more demand for our limited resources. And to say that no other states limit people on where in the state they can hunt in a particular year, is wrong. What about Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho?
I'm not familiar with every state but I know that at least in Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon, as a resident you can't even hunt mule deer or elk without first drawing a tag. Idaho has regional elk tags so you're limited to where you hunt according to the tag you bought.
If you like hunting deer and elk every year, this is a pretty good state to live in.
Post by: Special T on May 11, 2012, 08:36:08 AM
I completely agree, but here is the how they justify it. Pick any ESA species wolf, griz, Wolverine etc... What they will tell you is that the WDFW benifits because they get a full time Bio at half price due to Fed grants and such. They will argue that they hire the best ____ Bio they can find and that thye can put that bio's other responsibility that fit closely with the ESA project they are working on. It sounds link a great way to Maximize dollars for the department. In a way it does, But like a lot of "great" Ideas it fails in execution. Why? Because the focus is on the ESA species when hiring not the $$$ for the sate via hunters... Lets take a Hypothetical
The state is mandated to come up with a wolf program so they hire a Bio that knows everything about wolves... Half the pay will be covered by the ESA fed grant, the other half picked up by the state. So since the job of studying/managing wolves is closely related to deer the other 1/2 responsibility is for the deer in a given area. This kind of relationship CAN be beneficial. I think many of you can already see the problem with this and can see how this kind of relationship can work out poorly. Since the Fictional Bio is hired for thier "Wolf Knowledge" it is not hard to imagine that wolves are this Bio's main concern and devotion.... So it may not be anything nefarious just the outlook of which is more important by the Bio that is handling both side of the Predator prey relationship... :twocents:
This kind of arrangement may work for the WDFW in their budget issues short term, but long term it hurts hunters so likely hurts it. This kind of Bio arrangement is in many places, including the fishing side...
Post by: Chesapeake on May 11, 2012, 09:15:15 AM
Washington just doesnt offer much in the way of a "quality" hunt. Yeah because its local I can get lots of "quantity", but the quality just isnt there.
The other issue for me is that I rarely if ever see WDFW folks out in the field. About the only place I see them is on the Columbia checking boats, on the Washougal watching snaggers, and at the office holding down a chair. The only Bio I've ever seen in the field was using radio equipment to track turtles. Pretty sure them folks were feds though. As much time as I spend in the woods, I would expect to see some bio's and game officers.
I think what kills Washington is that they have nothing to offer the out of state folks. Wyoming, Nevada, Montana, ect. can go cheap for the residents and charge the non-res for all the licence fees. Do non-res folks even apply in Washington???
Post by: Special T on May 11, 2012, 09:41:53 AM
Post by: Chesapeake on May 11, 2012, 12:25:32 PM
Not really and even eastmans mag has downplayed the elk, and mule deerhunting in this state!
Yeah, Huntinfool says the same "dont bother" more or less.
When in Wyoming I ran into several Washington folks. Some of them were over there hunting non-res elk cow tags. Seemed like a pretty good sign that things were bad back home when Washington folks were going to Wyoming for cow tags.
Post by: buckfvr on May 11, 2012, 01:30:54 PM
Post by: bobcat on May 11, 2012, 01:55:44 PM
I don't know the numbers but LOTS of non-residents have been applying for our OIL species.
That may drop some now since the non-resident fee for an application doubled to $110.50.
Post by: Curly on May 11, 2012, 02:00:28 PM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on May 11, 2012, 03:18:45 PM
I wish all of us hunters could get together and say NO MORE! and get the state to manage game properly and open up some more areas and so on so we could all enjoy hunting our home state. Unfortunately that will never happen so I don't hunt here :)
Post by: bobcat on May 11, 2012, 03:22:32 PM
Quote
I wish all of us hunters could get together and say NO MORE! and get the state to manage game properly
But what's the proper way to manage game?
Ask 100 people and you'll get 100 different answers.
To me "managing properly" would mean ending the general seasons we have now and going to permit only for deer and elk. But lots of people wouldn't agree with that. In fact many people think to "manage properly" means we should have more liberal seasons, not more restrictive.
Post by: Special T on May 11, 2012, 03:35:56 PM
Attitude is a reflection of leadership!
I'm tired of hearing about all the "reasons" why the WDFW cant get things done. what i want to see is them attacking the problems they can address and making an honest effort they things they MAY have a chance at fixing. :twocents:
Post by: Branden on May 13, 2012, 02:29:12 PM
QuoteI wish all of us hunters could get together and say NO MORE! and get the state to manage game properly
But what's the proper way to manage game?
Ask 100 people and you'll get 100 different answers.
To me "managing properly" would mean ending the general seasons we have now and going to permit only for deer and elk. But lots of people wouldn't agree with that. In fact many people think to "manage properly" means we should have more liberal seasons, not more restrictive.
I agree. Lots of ways to make it a better hunt socially. (less hunters hunting at the same time) One easy way I see to make it less crowded during deer season would be to make hunters choose the species they want to hunt. Blacktail, muley, or whitetail. Just that would make the woods less crowded and hunters could still have their general tag every year.
Post by: boneaddict on May 16, 2012, 04:57:35 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on May 16, 2012, 05:01:37 AM
Wonder how the high fees affect poaching? :o