mhabiger
FNG
I let the task force meeting play in the background yesterday as I worked. Here is what I took away:
Task force supports and will recommend
Restructure Big 5 draw
Antelope, Deer and Elk discussion
Opportunity discussion
There is probably some stuff I missed but that is what stood out to me. I'd say the task force is influenced by public comment (especially well thought out comments), there is a desire to not just follow what other states are doing and to generally leave WYGFD latitude when it comes to balancing game management and tag allocations. So keep it coming if you have an opinion. Next meeting is in September.
Task force supports and will recommend
- Move Big 5 to 90-10 split
- Big 5 hunts that allow take of male species become once-in-a-lifetime
Restructure Big 5 draw
- Bunch of debate about how to phase out current system and move to something closer to a bonus point or pure random draw system.
- Desire to balance opportunity for all while still reward those who have been applying
- Seemed to be some support for moving to 50/50 system where half the tags continue as is for those with points today and the other half go to a new system.
Antelope, Deer and Elk discussion
- WYGFD gave fantastic presentation on previous senate bill wanting 90-10. They showed 6 different approaches to 90-10 and scenario analysis around resident draw odds impact, fiscal impact under no license price change and revenue neutral approach (at least for license revenue) where nonresidents shoulder the entire cost (hopefully they'll post this online)
- Task force decided to discuss ideas around increasing opportunity outside of DEA 90-10 until they could get more info on certain aspects of the tag allocation
Opportunity discussion
- Discussion around choose your weapon tags, possibly make residents and nonresident general tag holders choose their weapon
- Discussion around adding late season hunts
- Discussion around landowner access and what could be done to improve access, particularly through the Access Yes! program
There is probably some stuff I missed but that is what stood out to me. I'd say the task force is influenced by public comment (especially well thought out comments), there is a desire to not just follow what other states are doing and to generally leave WYGFD latitude when it comes to balancing game management and tag allocations. So keep it coming if you have an opinion. Next meeting is in September.