Idaho Tag Site Already Crashed

[Flyjunky]

They are selling all of the tags in the quotas. Maybe there is more money to be made with application fees if it's all switched to controlled, but regardless of how many people are fed up with the current system, there are others to buy up all of the tags.

I get that and the number sold will be the same but they would make more money and have less of a mess with just a random draw. They already have the system in place to make it happen. Seems simple to me but it is the government so doing things the easier way to make more money isn't always possible.

 

[Customweld]

It's pretty easy to sit and blame IFG. Most of the process has been related to things out of their control.
First off, several years ago a group of people convinced their legislators that IFG was cheating the draw system. This caused the legislature to force IFG to go with a 3rd party controller for the draws. I believe this is the same outfit that runs the online portion of their site. Obviously since it is a gov't agency, the lowest responsible bidder gets the project. This has cost IFG an enormous amount of money, as well as the headaches experienced yesterday. Any changes to be made will have to be brought through the legislature. If you follow any of our esteemed "leaders" you would understand that many of them have absolutely no business being involved in any IFG matter. Next, many residents wanted to see a reduction in NR opportunities. It is true that NR's float 60 percent of the license sales budget. So, reducing NR numbers is going to be a reduction in budget revenue. They decided to limit NR's by capping unit numbers but maintaining the original statewide NR's tag numbers. This has created a feeding frenzy when December 1st rolls around. When you ask for changes to be made, sometimes, it may not have the effect or outcome that you were shooting for. All this being said, I would support a NR draw system. I'm sure that this would be met with the same amount of criticism when 80 percent of the applicants don't draw.

 

[Ross]

If I can buy a tag each yr I am happy, just simply need an update in technology to allow for more efficient processing

 

[ianpadron]

Yes I did along w 60-70 other ppl. The problem that I see is. Several outfitters were there buying 5-9 tags each. I questioned them about the tags set aside for the outfitters. Both said they were only given a set number of tags each. So they show up buy tags. Which in turn takes tags away from nonresidents. I was in line w guys from Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota and North Carolina. And it was very cold waiting in line.

You need to report them to IDFG. That is 100% prohibited.

 

[Flyjunky]

I'm sure that this would be met with the same amount of criticism when 80 percent of the applicants don't draw.

True, but at least it would be a more equitable way to distribute tags. The amount of people who were booted from the system when they were #xxxx in line and then got back in and then had a much higher number...not good.

 

[ianpadron]

No it did not


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I bought a tag last year, I think I'd know how it went.

The same exact error issues existed last year, just on a lesser scale. No 2 hour freezes in the line, just error messages and a full waiting room.

I was 14k in line last year and kept getting booted to the back, said F that, closed the website and bought a tag 2 days later in a different unit.

 

[ianpadron]

So we all know the current system is a total disaster, and want to see something change. But, do you really think anything will happen?? If you look at it from the state perspective, they sold every single deer tag available to NR in less than 24hrs! Thats easy money in the bank for them, what would be their motivation to change anything?? People like us bitching about the current system? I highly doubt it, they dont care. They have quotas set where they feel they need/want them, and they sold them all in a day. Win/win for the state!

This is just like CO and their unlimited OTC rifle elk tags. Their harvest numbers never really change no matter how many tags they sell. Everybody complains like crazy, but the state makes more money every year as other states limit NRs more and more each year, and those guys just figure “lets just grab a CO OTC tag and go hunt.” The state laughs all the way to the bank and nothing changes.

These are just some of my thoughts, and curious to what others think.

I think you're 100% spot on. $$$ talks, so long as there are enough NRs to fill the shoes of those of those who refuse to spend another dime in ID, there is ZERO motivation to change a damn thing. Government 101.

 

[ianpadron]

True, but at least it would be a more equitable way to distribute tags. The amount of people who were booted from the system when they were #xxxx in line and then got back in and then had a much higher number...not good.

Bingo.

Here's a real life example from yesterday:

My buddy and I were trying to scoop tags. I was 27k, he was 16k in line. Impossible to coordinate hunting together. But wait, there's more. Right as he's ready to rip, he goes out on a call (firefighter) and is away from his computer during his purchase window. Totally boned, all our top tags were gone when he got back later that night.

Inexcusable to have such a cluster in 2022 to sell some damn deer and elk tags.

 

[Flyjunky]

I think you're 100% spot on. $$$ talks, so long as there are enough NRs to fill the shoes of those of those who refuse to spend another dime in ID, there is ZERO motivation to change a damn thing. Government 101.

If it was about the money, they would change the system to a random draw and add a fee for the privilege of applying for an Idaho tag. Have it be online only and they would make more $$ than they do now. No change in the amount of tags sold but they would be getting fee money on top of that.

 

[ianpadron]

If it was about the money, they would change the system to a random draw and add a fee for the privilege of applying for an Idaho tag. Have it be online only and they would make more $$ than they do now. No change in the amount of tags sold but they would be getting fee money on top of that.

Oh were headed that direction.

Gotta remember the NR tag price went up like 30% a few years back.

Can't piss off anyone enough to risk selling out, gotta be gradual!

 

[Joelweb]

I've been able to get a tag each year. They need to fix the system so it can handle the traffic and stops crashing, but I'm otherwise not complaining.

 

[dieselchessy]

Bingo.

Here's a real life example from yesterday:

My buddy and I were trying to scoop tags. I was 27k, he was 16k in line. Impossible to coordinate hunting together. But wait, there's more. Right as he's ready to rip, he goes out on a call (firefighter) and is away from his computer during his purchase window. Totally boned, all our top tags were gone when he got back later that night.

Inexcusable to have such a cluster in 2022 to sell some damn deer and elk tags.

There wasn’t much anything left by 16k. I was in the low 15’s and by then, I think it was around 5 pm PST there wasn’t much.

I was right near 3k on the phone and they called me back just after 8pm. Some of my pards were 3.5k on the phone and were called near midnight. LOL

I’ve played the game every year and whoever claims the thing didn’t crash last year is splitting hairs. Last year it was kicking folks out, locking up, ect… just like this year. Maybe that’s not technically “crashing” but the same result.

I think the biggest issue is timing. No one has drawn tags in the other states yet, so grabbing Idaho as a place holder in case they don’t draw.

 

[eye_zick]

It's pretty easy to sit and blame IFG. Most of the process has been related to things out of their control.
First off, several years ago a group of people convinced their legislators that IFG was cheating the draw system. This caused the legislature to force IFG to go with a 3rd party controller for the draws. I believe this is the same outfit that runs the online portion of their site. Obviously since it is a gov't agency, the lowest responsible bidder gets the project. This has cost IFG an enormous amount of money, as well as the headaches experienced yesterday. Any changes to be made will have to be brought through the legislature. If you follow any of our esteemed "leaders" you would understand that many of them have absolutely no business being involved in any IFG matter. Next, many residents wanted to see a reduction in NR opportunities. It is true that NR's float 60 percent of the license sales budget. So, reducing NR numbers is going to be a reduction in budget revenue. They decided to limit NR's by capping unit numbers but maintaining the original statewide NR's tag numbers. This has created a feeding frenzy when December 1st rolls around. When you ask for changes to be made, sometimes, it may not have the effect or outcome that you were shooting for. All this being said, I would support a NR draw system. I'm sure that this would be met with the same amount of criticism when 80 percent of the applicants don't draw.

NR revenue doesn't matter, resident fees matter even less. Total IDFG revenue in 2021 was $124M, at best NR revenue is 10% of the total. Or am I missing something?

 

[Customweld]

NR revenue doesn't matter, resident fees matter even less. Total IDFG revenue in 2021 was $124M, at best NR revenue is 10% of the total. Or am I missing something?

Not at all. The fee revenue from both types of license sales is pretty small compared to overall budget. It does add a little though. It also dispels the "all about the money" argument.
My basic point in my ramblng was IFG isn't as much to blame on the fiasco as everyone alludes to. Their hands are tied by state code for choosing the vendor and the legislature ties their hands by budget appropriation.

 

[Hunt the Top]

Honestly I get sick of all the bickering on here. Non residents took advantage of our home state for decades. Sometimes purchasing 2 tags and shooting every young buck/bull they came across. Regulation has moved in the right direction, the operating system could be more efficient no question. But can you really bitch when the floodgates were open for years? Idaho was everyone’s place to go when they didn’t draw anything else. Obviously as a homegrown resident I’m biased, I’m not opposed to out of state hunters at all. I just don’t like the pre Madonnas that feel entitled to hunt here and disrespect the people that pay to live here.


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[WRO]

Honestly I get sick of all the bickering on here. Non residents took advantage of our home state for decades. Sometimes purchasing 2 tags and shooting every young buck/bull they came across. Regulation has moved in the right direction, the operating system could be more efficient no question. But can you really bitch when the floodgates were open for years? Idaho was everyone’s place to go when they didn’t draw anything else. Obviously as a homegrown resident I’m biased, I’m not opposed to out of state hunters at all. I just don’t like the pre Madonnas that feel entitled to hunt here and disrespect the people that pay to live here.


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They have had the same amount of tags for at least a decade if not more. The allocation hasn't changed. I know a lot of residents that bought left over non resident tags and killed multiple critters. The only thing that has changed is demand.

 

[WRO]

View attachment 482613

They're buying tags for clients instead of using their outfitter allocated tags. It happens a lot for various reasons.

 

[KurtR]

They have had the same amount of tags for at least a decade if not more. The allocation hasn't changed. I know a lot of residents that bought left over non resident tags and killed multiple critters. The only thing that has changed is demand.

that point gets lost all the time. I always ask about how many nr tags have increased and get told they havent. Well im not Sherlock Holmes but seems to me the huge increase in residents is where all the extra pressure is coming from.

 

[Flyjunky]

that point gets lost all the time. I always ask about how many nr tags have increased and get told they havent. Well im not Sherlock Holmes but seems to me the huge increase in residents is where all the extra pressure is coming from.

Bingo!

I have family in Idaho and that's what they have been saying. People blame the NR but it's actually all their new neighbors.

 

[dieselchessy]

The apologized for the issues.

Fish and Game apologizes for delays that caused customer frustrations during nonresident tag sales

Idaho Fish and Game staff sincerely apologizes for the delays that caused frustration with the license and tag sales system on December 1, the first day of nonresident deer and elk tag sales for next year's season.

idfg.idaho.gov