MOSES LAKE - The Washington State Raffle Permit Hunts deadline is July 22. Our way of thinking about this opportunity is to consider it a gamble, yes, but one where we can spend as much money as we want. Another way of thinking is to consider it a tax where a taxpayer spends as much as he wants.

Here is how Fish and Wildlife explain the raffle, "You must purchase your raffle tickets at a licensing vendor, because the tickets are no longer available to purchase online or over the telephone, as Washington gambling regulations prohibit wife sales. Bummer, this was the easiest way to buy the tickets, but we will go to a local sporting goods store.

Dennis usually purchases four tickets in most categories each year. The price for a Deer, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat ticket is $5.90 a ticket. A bighorn sheep ticket is $11.90, a multi-species ticket for three-species raffles is $16.70 and a four-species ticket is $22.10.

Proceeds from the sale of single-species raffle tickets will be used for the management and benefit of that species. Proceeds from the sale of multiple species raffle tickets will be used for general game management.

There is no limit on the number of tickets a person may purchase. Residents and non-residents are eligible to purchase tickets. Refunds are not available on raffle ticket purchases. The "Once in a Lifetime Harvest" restriction is waived for auction and raffle hunts. The winner of the deer and elk raffles may purchase an additional deer or elk license/tag for the general hunting season if they choose. If selected, any legal weapon may be used during the hunt.

One winner and two alternates will be drawn for each hunt. Each winner must be eligible to purchase a hunting license and will be issued the appropriate license and tag at no cost. The drawing is done by computer and the winning ticket holder will be notified via phone and mail by mid-August. If you are selected for a multi-species raffle, a decision must be made as to which species you would like to hunt before your hunting license and tags will be issued by the Department."

More about the raffle permit hunts next week.

The Discover Pass goes into effect today

The Discover Pass goes into effect on today and is available to purchase at this time. The cost for the annual pass is $30, with a one-day pass costing $10. The total cost includes the $30 pass fee, a 10 percent transaction fee and $2 dealer fee for a total of $35. A one-day Discover Pass costs a total of $11.50, which include the $10 base price, a 10 percent transaction fee and a 50-cent dealer fee.

The pass is necessary to access recreation lands and water-access sites managed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife. State recreation lands include state parks, boat launches, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, campgrounds, trails and trailheads.

A vehicle displaying Fish and Wildlife vehicle recreational use permit, issued to people buying a fishing or hunting license, will have access to Fish and Wildlife lands and water access points without buying the Discover Pass. However the permit does not cover natural resource or state park lands.

One way to receive a Discover Pass without paying one cent is to volunteer to work 24 hours or more on agency-approved projects. People so volunteering with be eligible for a complimentary Discover Pass. Say, I wonder if helping with the goose banding project would count as an agency-approved project?

There is a $99 penalty for failing to display the pass as required.

Revenue from pass sales will be divided among the three state agencies managing state recreation lands in proportion to General Fund reductions: This being 84 percent to State Parks; 8 percent to Fish and Wildlife; and 8 percent to Natural Resources.

The day has arrived, so make sure you have a Discover Pass or the appropriate permit to avoid the $99 penalty.

From Fish and Wildlife:

Seeking public comments about private landowners opening their land to outdoor recreation.

Fish and Wildlife was one of 17 agencies nationwide to qualify for a three-year grant under the new Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2008 federal Farm Bill.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, USDA's Farm Service Agency recently determined that the department's plans for the grant money would not have a significant effect on the environment.

Fish and Wildlife has already raised $400,000 to expand hunter access to private lands through additional fees paid by hunters who apply for new permit-only hunts.

In addition, Fish and Wildlife plans to establish at least five new wildlife-viewing areas near urban areas of the state.

Key initiatives planned include:

Access Near Urban Centers ($437,240): Increase acreage enrolled in the Snow Goose Hunting Program and the number of waterfowl hunting blinds available through such programs as "Feel Free to Hunt," "Register to Hunt" and "Hunt by Written Permission" from 10 blinds to 25 blinds; establish public big game hunting access on at least 5,000 acres of private forest lands and establish at least five new watchable wildlife opportunities on private farmlands.

Snake River Conservation Reserve Program ($387,300): Establish public hunting access on at least 12,500 additional acres of private farm land and establish public access for hunting on an additional 15 farms also enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

Corn Stubble Retention ($63,000): Double the amount of acres enrolled in the program to attract game birds to farmlands.

Southwest Washington Private Forest Land Access ($499,680): Establish public hunting access on at least 50,000 additional acres of private forest lands.

Improved Use of Technology($155,000): Develop a new GoHunt interactive mapping program and an automated system for reserving hunting days on private lands enrolled in Fish and Wildlife programs.

Fish and Wildlife has bolstered its Private Lands Access program to reverse the steady decline of land open to hunting due to population growth, suburban sprawl and crowding on public lands. Just over one million acres of private land is currently open to hunting under agreement with Fish and Wildlife, compared to three million in the late 1990s.

Fish and Wildlife staff are with farmers, ranchers and owners of private timberlands on multi-year agreements right now. The goal is to have as many of these agreements in place as possible by the time fall hunting seasons get under way.