Shed Hunting - License Requirement

[fly4fish]

Would it be wise to require a valid WA hunting license to posses deer and elk sheds on public lands?


I feel most resident shed hunters will have a license already, so it wouldn't hurt them. While nonresidents would have to buy a nonresident hunting license, thus charging them for taking something of value and liquidity out of WA. WA would benefit from more nonresident hunting licenses sold without extra effort. It's a win for everybody, except nonresidents who will have to pay $200, which is nothing compared to what they spend in one month on expenses and earnings lost.

I use to enjoy a few outings a year, but the competition is too much for me now.  I would like to see the F&G make a little money off sheds like the state does everything else from Christmas trees to mushrooms.  Seems like a no brainer, but I;ve never heard it mentioned before.  What do you think?

[Bean Counter]

Why limit the permit to sheds? We should require a permit just to access state lands. Maybe one to take photographs of public landscapes as well...

[bearpaw]

Everyone is already paying to access state lands! Discover Pass....

What do the shed hunters think of requiring a hunting license?
I didn't know there were many non-residents shed hunting in Washington, isn't it mostly residents?
If you shed in another state do you need any license?
Would you buy a license to shed hunt in another state or would you just quit going?

[fly4fish]

Why limit the permit to sheds? We should require a permit just to access state lands. Maybe one to take photographs of public landscapes as well...

No permit required. Just a valid hunting license. Accessing state lands and photographing them does not remove a valuable object.   

[fly4fish]

Everyone is already paying to access state lands! Discover Pass....

What do the shed hunters think of requiring a hunting license?
I didn't know there were many non-residents shed hunting in Washington, isn't it mostly residents?
If you shed in another state do you need any license?
Would you buy a license to shed hunt in another state or would you just quit going?

Everyone is already paying to access state lands! Discover Pass....
What do the shed hunters think of requiring a hunting license?

Not sure; that's why I am asking. I bet most WA shed hunters already buy them as most are hunters. Those who aren't would have to buy a hunting license for $40, which is less the worth of an average shed, not matched.

I didn't know there were many non-residents shed hunting in Washington, isn't it mostly residents?

In the Blues, especially on the east end, I bet there are more nonresidents than residents. These guys are crazy about it, devoting a whole month, many making a bunch of money by selling as soon as they get them (as I have done myself).  Of course, many do it for the love of it; some having never sold one.

If you shed in another state do you need any license?

I do not know the rules of other states.

Would you buy a license to shed hunt in another state or would you just quit going?

Most shed hunters that take it seriously would pay out of state license fees, as they can make that much cash in a day. I personally would not pay $200. I would either shed hunt my own state, private property or quit. Either way, the state is making money or there are less people pushing elk around in their wintering grounds and taking the sheds that residents could be picking up and potentially selling in the state they were found in.

[grundy53]

Absolutely against this. I truly do not think this state needs any more fees or licence requirements.

[boneaddict]

I think we need a permit just to talk about permits

[Miles]

Would it be wise to require a valid WA hunting license to posses deer and elk sheds on public lands?

The worst idea I've heard in a long time.

[bearpaw]

I can see both sides of this issue but I'm not sure that I want to see a license required for shed hunting. Every person who casually picks up a shed "while out walking behind their house" to place in their flower garden would be subject to needing a license.

Some states do have shed hunting seasons to prevent abuse during critical wintering times. But I don't think any state requires a license, someone please correct me if I am wrong.

I often hear hunters say they want to limit non-residents more. Something to consider is that there are more hunters and fishers who go from Washington to hunt and fish in other states than come to Washington to hunt and fish from other states. I suspect the same may be true for shed hunting. If all states stopped non-residents from hunting and fishing it would be a loss of opportunity for millions of hunters and fishers not to mention the lost tourism dollars for local businesses in all the states.

If one state requires a license for hunting sheds then all states may end up requiring a license to hunt sheds. In a few years everyone everywhere will have to buy a license to shed hunt. Is that what we really want to happen? Maybe buying a license is the destiny for shed hunting and every other type of activity that we might casually want to do?

Perhaps the answer is to require a license for anyone selling sheds. If you are selling sheds from federally owned ground that is already a gray area. You are supposed to have a "special use" license for any commercial activity on federally owned lands.

[motg9_6]

i think we already pay MORE than our fair share!!! if they properly budgeted and managed the funds already taken from us then there would be no issues at all.

[boneaddict]

Utah has something Bearpaw.   I'm not up to speed what.   They have to attend a class and are permitted that way, and it might have something to do with if they can hunt early season or not.   They probably get their fee for the class.

[boneaddict]

Alright, I looked it up.  To hunt sheds between Feb 1 and April 15th you have to take a FREE online course.   

[pianoman9701]

Why limit the permit to sheds? We should require a permit just to access state lands. Maybe one to take photographs of public landscapes as well...

Done.

[bhawley76]

This state gets enough dam money as it is. I would never pay a dime for picking up animal litter. 

[boneaddict]

We will need a permit to be permitted to pee   

(I finally find a use for the pissing monkey, that's how much I hate permits)