2001 Hunting Permit Application Process Successful
Jim Rieck, Wildlife Biologist

Those applying for special hunting permits this year were faced with a totally new experience. The WILD (Washington Interactive License Database) system became functional for the 2001 license year and went into production in March 2001. Hunters buying a hunting license and big game transport tags were faced with computer wielding license dealers and a relatively short time period to complete the process. Not only did the licenses and transport tags look different, so did the special permit application. In fact, the permit application was only a cash register type receipt. It was necessary to actually submit the application using a toll-free telephone number or use the Internet.

After the initial shock of negotiating a new system was over, most hunters were successful in making purchases and submitting applications. As usual most special permit applicants procrastinated and waited until the last few days (Figure 1). Records indicate approximately 60,000 or 70% of all permit applications were received during the last week before the deadline date and about half of these on the last three days. During the previous 5 weeks a little more than 24,000 applications were received. In fact, there were over 86,000 permit applications received for the 2001 drawings. That level of participation has not been seen since 1980.

The new way of submitting permit applications has many advantages. As long as the hunter makes certain the personal information is correct in his/her WILD system license records, the information coming into the special permit drawing system will always be correct. Under the old system, all of the information had to be read and hand keyed into the computer for every application received. People’s handwriting needed to be interpreted for each application and errors occurred in the translation from time to time. Now, when a hunter makes a special hunt choice, the WILD system checks to make sure the correct hunting license or transport tag has been purchased. It also makes certain that the hunter is eligible to apply for the hunt. These checks, when performed before the drawing occurs, prevent a lot of grief afterwards and eliminate most errors.

Next year, permit applicants will be communicating with an IVR (Interactive Vocal Recording) telephone system instead of a live operator when the toll free number is dialed. Most hunters will find it straightforward and have no problems. However, those that do have difficulty will be transferred to a call center staff person to complete the submission. The use of this system is intended to prevent bottlenecks experienced during the last minute rush to submit applications before the deadline experienced by some this year. Better yet, don’t procrastinate and apply early next year.