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I think some people just think about it differently. For example, in Arizona NR are not eligible for bighorn tags in units that offer one tag. If you were to put one of those units as one of your two choices, they don’t throw your entire application out. You just aren’t eligible to even be in the running for one of your choices on your application. Or in Montana, all big three tags are effectively first and only choice. It’s not the law, but they’re never going to look at a second choice. You can still put in a second and even a third choice and it has no effect on your application. I think that is what people were expecting here.For people who still act naive about the first and only choice deal
I agree but Tabor made a point of first and only choice. The regulations said 1st choice only. The people that screwed up I feel bad for and areas where there are surplus tags they should get them. They should 100% not be adding any though. Facts. As some of the people like to say on here.Adding to the layer of confusion of the words “first and only”. Especially the “and only”
Going into the February commission meeting Hanks proposal for any permitted elk unit (LE or unlimited) if drawn that was the only unit you could hunt. This added to the “and only” confusion.
Did it mean the unbundled units along with HD 270 (which has been unlimited, first choice only for a long time but you were able to hunt elsewhere) were strictly first choice only, no second choice or first choice only with a second choice but the “and only” part meant you could not hunt other units?
Adding in HD 270 was even more confusing. It’s unlimited so no need for a second choice but the “and only”
part included it being the only unit someone with the permit could hunt.
So at the time compared to when regs were printed compared to today what did the “and only” mean verses “first choice only”?
Was “first and only” meaning first choice and only first choice-no second choice or first choice and only being able to hunt that unit?
At the time Commissioner Waller did a great job in motioning and passing removal of HD 270 from the units that were being proposed “first and only” meaning first choice only and only being able to hunt that unit.
It was a split vote. In the name of simplifying regs removing a unlimited unit from a group of limited and unlimited units that were going to require hunters to only hunt the unit they drew didn’t sit well with some commissioners. But she got it done. Wa the R2 commissioner she had heard that’s what her hunters wanted. It was a lengthy conversation between the commission at that time.
At the time it seem the commission understood “first and only” to mean first choice and you could only hunt that unit. Seems it really meant first choice only, no second choice AND you can only hunt that unit.
As you can see Hank really simplified thing. It appears no one at FWP really knew what the commission passed.
I spoke to Hank on the phone tonight. According to him this is what happened….the “system” that was used during the application period is the “old system” which incorrectly allowed people to apply for more than one choice if they applied for a “first choice only” permit as their first choice. After the app period closed 4/1, and before the draw, they switched everything over to the “new system.” The new system could ID people who applied for more than one choice when they shouldn’t have and kicked them out of the draw. So basically FWP had people apply on one system and then had a more advanced system do the draw. I asked why they do that and not just either upgrade systems before the app period opened or stick with the “old” system for the whole draw process and he couldn’t really give an answer. So I think if pressed, that’s how he’s going to blame it on a “third” party.
Complete and utter failure of leadership and decision making.
I interpret the regs differently. The First Choice Only /First and Only Choice is simply geared towards the drawing itself, not what areas you can or cannot hunt if you are drawn. The regs have clear language after the “choice” part that defines the hunting part.Adding to the layer of confusion of the words “first and only”. Especially the “and only”
Going into the February commission meeting Hanks proposal for any permitted elk unit (LE or unlimited) if drawn that was the only unit you could hunt. This added to the “and only” confusion.
Did it mean the unbundled units along with HD 270 (which has been unlimited, first choice only for a long time but you were able to hunt elsewhere) were strictly first choice only, no second choice or first choice only with a second choice but the “and only” part meant you could not hunt other units?
Adding in HD 270 was even more confusing. It’s unlimited so no need for a second choice but the “and only”
part included it being the only unit someone with the permit could hunt.
So at the time compared to when regs were printed compared to today what did the “and only” mean verses “first choice only”?
Was “first and only” meaning first choice and only first choice-no second choice or first choice and only being able to hunt that unit?
At the time Commissioner Waller did a great job in motioning and passing removal of HD 270 from the units that were being proposed “first and only” meaning first choice only and only being able to hunt that unit.
It was a split vote. In the name of simplifying regs removing a unlimited unit from a group of limited and unlimited units that were going to require hunters to only hunt the unit they drew didn’t sit well with some commissioners. But she got it done. Wa the R2 commissioner she had heard that’s what her hunters wanted. It was a lengthy conversation between the commission at that time.
At the time it seem the commission understood “first and only” to mean first choice and you could only hunt that unit. Seems it really meant first choice only, no second choice AND you can only hunt that unit.
As you can see Hank really simplified thing. It appears no one at FWP really knew what the commission passed.
Not to mention the apparent fact that someone within MT FWP made the inexplicable executive decision to use two different systems for the application phase and draw phase.The only way that is a third-party error to me is if the “systems” are a product of a vendor Who made the mistake. Otherwise it’s just FWP messing up.
I can think of all sorts of analogies where someone providing you a service switching up the products they are using does not give them the right to say a third-party made the mistake and is to blame.
I know it’s semantics, but I think holding them accountable here, if that’s even possible, is important in the event of future 10%’s here and 10%’s there. Seems to be a trend
Probably nothing. I might have read it wrong but what I saw said applications that ALSO selected a 2nd and 3rd choice were kicked out of the draw. Sounds like you did it right and were unsuccessful but included. Honestly I’m not really that interested me and my son drew the big game combo and we’re not selected for our le elk permit as expected. So I’m good I don’t think someone screwing up the app process should get a redraw that’s all. That’s how I read the Montana draw screw up. It’s minor in my opinion. Last year Idaho awarded sheep tags then took them backWe did apply correctly. I applied for 411-21 as a first choice. The reg book states “first choice only” so what did I do wrong?
Giantforehead is among the billionaires on Hank’s short list of free bull permits, almost certainly.Governor Gianforte appointed Hank and the FWP Commission. And we the voters of Montana elected Gianforte. Time to quit apportioning blame and accept responsibility for this mess we are in.
If he applied last year he did not have to apply this year and can buy a pp point in the points only period. You can’t skip applying in consecutive years which means you have to enter the draw every other year.He will lose his point. "Must apply in consecutive years", says nothing about skipping applying in consecutive years. If you have a point or any points and skip applying at the first available application you lose your points.
If he applied last year he did not have to apply this year and can buy a pp point in the points only period. You can’t skip applying in consecutive years which means you have to enter the draw every other year.
He is good and can buy a point this year in points only period. He has to apply NEXT year and can buy a 3 rd point and will probably be assured of drawing with 3I’ve been drinking tonight and need an answer
Yeah with the way they did the first choice only wording debacle who knows what they actually mean, probably get different answers from different offices cause they probably don't know either.If he applied last year he did not have to apply this year and can buy a pp point in the points only period. You can’t skip applying in consecutive years which means you have to enter the draw every other year.
This one is pretty clear and I have spoken to them about it.Yeah with the way they did the first choice only wording debacle who knows what they actually mean, probably get different answers from different offices cause they probably don't know either.
Incorrect. This is exhausting. It’s says if you DONT apply in consecutive years you forfeit your points. Not sure why this is so confusing. So if I DO apply every other year I have not failed to apply in 2 consecutive years in a row. You only need to apply every OTHER year which means you didn’t fail to apply in consecutive years. You are allowed to not apply for 1 year you just can’t skip applying for consecutive (2 years in a row) Please call fish and game I can’t have this conversation anymoreYou are wrong sorry. By applying last year he needs to apply for a tag in consecutive years thus this year would be the consecutive year. By not applying points are gone.