Idaho Fish & Game In-person Tag Sales Strategy

[ez_willie]

Utah has seen about a 7 percent increase in applications for the last couple of years...both from resident and nonresidents. Demand for Utahs OTC tags has only increased. It use to take days to sell things out and now it takes hours.

The easier you make things, the more people do them.

Currently, you have to log into the system, get your random number and wait until your turn is up or go there in person and wait or find someone to do either for you.

Take it to a draw. People have a determined amount of time to apply, it takes 10 minutes and they are done.

Tell me which one more people are more likely to do?

How do I know which one people are more likely to do? Because I know people that do not play this current game but would if it was a draw.

Admittedly, I have no idea how many extra people would apply and if it would statistically make a difference but I do that more people would apply.

So you would rather fill out an application and pay 100$ and enter a draw because is easier than going to ID website on December 1 and entering random draw for free?

 

[CorbLand]

So you would rather fill out an application and pay 100$ and enter a draw because is easier than going to ID website on December 1 and entering random draw for free?

Me, personally, no.

Other people, yes.

 

[LFC911]

So you would rather fill out an application and pay 100$ and enter a draw because is easier than going to ID website on December 1 and entering random draw for free?

I am buying the license to apply for the LE tag, so it makes no difference for me.

 

[svivian]

So you would rather fill out an application and pay 100$ and enter a draw because is easier than going to ID website on December 1 and entering random draw for free?

You are forgetting about the waiting a few hours part.... either on phone or online. Hoping you dont get kicked out of line because of a glitch.

 

[Wrench]

This 100%.

The only defenses of the current system I am seeing are:
a) "The system is fine. I can get my tag. Screw the people who can't figure out how to game the system."
b) "What about the outfitters?! How ever will they get the 40% of NR tags not already allocated to them??"

Just make it a draw and be done with all the BS.

While that sounds great, guys like me would only apply for quality tags. I sure wouldn't try to draw a panhandle tag when I could have a Montana tag with 90% odds. Then add in the residents who lost the 2nd tag opportunities and change in the name of progress looks less awesome.

 

[Jason Snyder]

So, we’re using Utah as a data point against a drawing in ID? That’s funny. It’s not random. It utilizes points. It competes against BGF who gets a boat load of tags.

Apples to pomegranates.

The presence of complaining does not mean a system is NOT working as it should. Right now, the ID system greatly benefits outfitters and family who want to buy tags for NR. It sucks for the DIY guy. That is my opinion, but it is most likely working as it was intended to.

Would people complain if there was a random drawing? Absolutely. There is plenty of complaining about the ID big 3/5 draw. Doesn’t mean it’s not working as it should.

And yes, I’d happily buy the license and enter a random draw without having to tie up a day on the phone. I use the hunting license anyway and I’ll bet a lot of money I’d draw my desired tag almost every year because I’m willing to forsake the big ticket units.

 

[CorbLand]

So, we’re using Utah as a data point against a drawing in ID? That’s funny. It’s not random. It utilizes points. It competes against BGF who gets a boat load of tags.

Apples to pomegranates.

The presence of complaining does not mean a system is working as it should. Right now, the ID system greatly benefits outfitters and family who want to buy tags for NR. It sucks for the DIY guy. That is my opinion.

Would people complain if there was a random drawing? Absolutely. There is plenty of complaining about the ID big 3/5 draw. Doesn’t mean it’s not working as it should.

And yes, I’d happily buy the license and enter a random draw without hating tie up a day on the phone. I use the hunting license anyway and I’ll bet a lot of money I’d draw my desired tag almost every year because I’m willing to forsake the big ticket units.

He asked if other states are seeing an increase in applications. I know Utah is. I didnt use it as a data point against drawing in Idaho. I did use it to show that the proposed solution doesnt fix anything because people complain about the same things that are being complained about with Idaho. Thus, it will not fix anything. Complaining is a symptom of something not working. If the complaints for two things are exactly the same...then neither is a solution. It was used to show that it is not just Idaho that is seeing more and more demand. All intermountain west states are.

I agree with your opinion. Fix those things, not just take it to a draw. Think outside the box.

At least you finally admitted that the reason some people want the draw is so it wont take as much time out of their day. It proves my point that if you take it to a draw, people have to put less in and are more likely to do it.

With that, I have spoken my piece and will bow out. Like someone said earlier, send your feedback to Idaho.

 

[svivian]

The presence of complaining does not mean a system is working as it should.

Would people complain if there was a random drawing? Absolutely. There is plenty of complaining about the ID big 3/5 draw. Doesn’t mean it’s not working as it should.

This is contradictory

 

[Jason Snyder]

This is contradictory

It is. Edited.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I get so sick of hearing people complain about trying to buy Idaho tags. The only reason that people gripe about it is because it seems so easy and close yet its so far away if you don't get your tag. Meaning that if you get lucky with a good number online, or have a different hookup, its easy to get tags every year, but when someone doesn't get their tag, there's a major flaw in the system and we need change so that they have a more "fair" opportunity at getting a tag.
Why don't people complain about other states more? How hard is it to get elk tags in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico for example? It's not fair that I should have been buying tags since I was 2 years old so that I can maybe one day get an elk tag in some states.
People only get so butt hurt because getting a tag can be just out of reach and they feel entitled to something.

 

[steelheadmike]

I get so sick of hearing people complain about trying to buy Idaho tags. The only reason that people gripe about it is because it seems so easy and close yet its so far away if you don't get your tag. Meaning that if you get lucky with a good number online, or have a different hookup, its easy to get tags every year, but when someone doesn't get their tag, there's a major flaw in the system and we need change so that they have a more "fair" opportunity at getting a tag.
Why don't people complain about other states more? How hard is it to get elk tags in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico for example? It's not fair that I should have been buying tags since I was 2 years old so that I can maybe one day get an elk tag in some states.
People only get so butt hurt because getting a tag can be just out of reach and they feel entitled to something.

Tags in NV, AZ, or NM are difficult to get because they are extremely limited. The difficulty of getting tags in ID is because of the system, not because of how limited they are. Most ID elk zones have a tag allocation that is substantially more than all elk zones in NV, combined.

We aren't trying to change how many tags are allocated per zone, that ship sailed. We're trying to change the method in which the tags are sold.

 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Two different ways of difficulty, it only seems different because its so close, yet so far away.
There is just far too much demand for Idaho tags now

 

[Alder_]

The demand isn't going anywhere.
This isn't about people NOT getting tags.
It's about issuing the tags in a fair manner.
Currently, it's not fair. Even if you were the first in line at a specific vendor, the way it's set up you could not get it due to all of the other firsts in line at specific vendors.

 

[IdahoBeav]

The demand isn't going anywhere.

This is why the prices need increasing. However, it is possible for demand to fade for other reasons. In 2016 IDFG had so many remaining elk tags during the season that they reduced the price.

 

[Tmcgarrigle]

I’d be really curious to know how many nonresidents it really is trying to get tags. Because so many of the people in the line are logged in from multiple devices

 

[Wrench]

The demand isn't going anywhere.
This isn't about people NOT getting tags.
It's about issuing the tags in a fair manner.
Currently, it's not fair. Even if you were the first in line at a specific vendor, the way it's set up you could not get it due to all of the other firsts in line at specific vendors.

You're going to need to qualify this statement.

 

[7mm-08]

Whether or not it fixes anything is in the eye of the beholder. I think the system is broken. The outfitter who can proxy purchase tags out the wazoo loves it. Guess who the legislature is listening to? It ain't me...

You'll never be listened to if you don't appropriately communicate that you want change. Take the time to write an email to the Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners requesting change. I provided all of their emails in my original post.

 

[Idaboy]

So if you have a business and the government changes the rules causing you to suffer, and you find a way to make the new rules work, you're the bad guy?

I never felt any outfitter is suffering....so whether it's proxy purchases or set aside tags, I don't know why they need hand outs

 

[Jason Snyder]

You'll never be listened to if you don't appropriately communicate that you want change. Take the time to write an email to the Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners requesting change. I provided all of their emails in my original post.

Trust me, I have and do. But I’m also realistic about whose bread will get buttered.

 

[Tmcgarrigle]

They need to increase nonres prices until the demand falls to a level that the tags don't sell out the first day.

Please god no, I'm already sick of paying $850 for an elk tag