fishhog
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Mining for steel
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Loc: Whatcom
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NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
January 19, 2005
Contact: Dave Ware, (360) 902-2509
Hunter activity reports due Jan. 31;
new fee possible for non-compliance
OLYMPIA - With participation in a mandatory postseason hunting report program declining every year, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has proposed adding a fee of up to $50 to the cost of licenses for those hunters who fail to submit their information on time.
As of mid-January, only 31 percent of hunters who purchased a 2004 deer, elk, black bear or turkey tag had submitted their hunting information. The reports are due by Jan. 31.
"Compared to past years, we should have received a significantly higher number of reports by now," said Dave Ware, WDFW Game Division Manager. The number of hunters who meet the deadline has decreased every year since 2001 when the mandatory reporting program was put in place.
"Hunter report data is a critical component of our management of game species throughout the state," Ware said. "Declining compliance has the potential to seriously compromise our ability to determine hunting season impacts on game populations."
Currently, failure to report hunting activity is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail. The penalties would be replaced by the fee beginning January 2006.
"The idea of the administrative fee is to decriminalize failure to report and increase the number of hunters reporting on time," Ware said. "We don't want to put hunters in jail for not following the reporting rules, but we really need this hunting data," Ware said.
The proposal, which still needs approval by the Washington State Legislature, is the latest attempt at improving hunter compliance in the reporting program. Since the program's inception, WDFW has added a drawing for special hunting permits as an incentive to hunters to file their reports early.
"We also send reminder postcards to hunters prior to the reporting deadline, but we're still not getting the compliance we need," Ware said.
Funds generated by the proposed fee would be used to expand outreach efforts that encourage and assist hunters in reporting, to improve the reporting system and to improve the accuracy of harvest information.
Hunters can file their harvest reports by an automated, toll-free phone line at 1-877-945-3492, or via the Internet at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
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Is my Red Neck showing?
Politically correct..... What's that?
Netting = extinction
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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My thoughts are that something needs to be done to get people to report. People can't really bitch about the state's big game management if they aren't providing the state with the data they need. Reporting a tag is SIMPLE! I suppose it would be too extreme to revoke someone's hunting rights for the next year if they don't report, but maybe something along those lines. Maybe two consecutive seasons of not reporting could result in a one year loss of hunting rights. Of course, the state likes money so the fines seem appropriate.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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plugger
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steelie
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Absolutely
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BBob
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Chromer
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It was my understanding that a person cannot purchase a new license until the reports are made. I find it very simple to comply with the system. I think it should be loss of the next years hunting priviledges, rather than a fine.
How is it the state can tell us there are 8,713 wild SH returning to XYZ river, so the net harvest can be set. But, they can't fly over a herd of 150 elk and count them?  Bill
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Dogfish
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Ultimate Egg Whore
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Loc: McCleary, WA
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My only concern is that I have until Feb 28 to hunt on both of my elk tags. Yes, I drew a chance for a second elk tag and could possibly and legally shoot two elk in February on both sides of the state.
My question is this. If I don't report until the end of MY season am I subject to two fines at double the penalty? AHE hunters are subject to double the penalty for any infraction involving wildlife. So while I am legal in one sense, I am illegal in another. Go figure.
Andy
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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"
Be like Big Stick!
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Q2Hunter
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2 salt
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I think its a great idea but only after they fix there website reporting... I guess it has been a major problem with turning in your reports via the internet on there site.. My 2003 season deer and elk I did via internet and before the deadline so I could get drawn for the special permit all to find out in august the following year my report never computed via the internet..
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Team Striper Boats
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Gooose
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Ancient Mod
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Andy just do the report by the end of this month claiming no harvest for those tags. Forward an e-mail to me describing your situation and I'll forward it to a certain legislator who takes an extreme interest in elk hunting and problems like this. 
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Independent Advocate For The Fish
Not Represented By Any Organization
Simple Solutions to Simple Problems
Simple Solutions to Complex Problems
There's lies, damned lies and then there are statistics......Mark Twain
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fishdoc
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Thick Tail
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I don't understand this. Last year I guess we didn't report. When I went to buy all 4 licenses, tags etc for the boys and I, I had to get on my cell phone make 4 seperate calls and reported, I received a number at the end of the call...with that number I could then purchase this years tags. Seems like the system is set up for 100% compliance...what am I missing?
doc
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If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.
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BBob
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Chromer
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In 2006 it appears you may be missing $200 ($50 each)for not reporting by the posted date. I agree it is just more BS, but rules are rules. We just gotta play their game.  Bill
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Gooose
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Doc 100% compliance is what they are wanting. Technically they want the same for our fishing CRCs but it's not really enforceable due to the huge number of cards and complexity of the system.
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Independent Advocate For The Fish
Not Represented By Any Organization
Simple Solutions to Simple Problems
Simple Solutions to Complex Problems
There's lies, damned lies and then there are statistics......Mark Twain
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skyriver
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dual red striper
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I think it's a good idea and I hope it speeds up the posting of harvest reports back to the public. I would like to be able to view up to date harvest stats instead of two year old stats.
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Team Diamondback
Labatts pro staff
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fishdoc
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Thick Tail
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but gooose, if you can't buy a new one until the old one is reported by phone then what is the problem??
doc
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If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.
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Gooose
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Ancient Mod
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They are also looking for a way to get those who may not buy another tag next year or ever to report.
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Independent Advocate For The Fish
Not Represented By Any Organization
Simple Solutions to Simple Problems
Simple Solutions to Complex Problems
There's lies, damned lies and then there are statistics......Mark Twain
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fishdoc
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Thick Tail
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if thats the case gooose then I think Mr. Ware is still feeling insecure about his position with WDFW and looking to be some sort of hero...some things never change...this seems rediculous to me.
doc
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If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.
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plugger
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steelie
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Reged: 02/15/01
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Loc: moses lake wa usa
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Also I would think that they want the reports by the end of Jan. to get the info they need for the following season. If you get your liecense in oct. of the next year, they can't very well uses your report for special tags and what have you. And I beleive that is the reason for the reports in the first place. And really, whats it take, maybe 1 or 2 min. to report.
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