The drawing for special big game permits has been completed. Extra early, as I remember.

However, this hunt wasn’t a big excitement for me or my hunting buddies. We didn’t draw what we were especially wanting. This being a second deer tag. My single positive draw result was the Master Hunter Elk drawing for elk in the Fairview area, which is the general Ellensburg area.

This is a good draw for sure, as there are often elk problems in the Ellensburg/Kittitas area. This is the reason for this special draw. If elk are causing problems, the master hunters are called to help solve the problem by eliminating an elk or two.

This may not sound like a big deal to most hunters, but to the landowners in the Ellensburg area, it could save them a bunch of money. The pesky elk damage fences, irrigation and other agricultural systems.

This draw isn’t a for-sure tag for bagging an elk. Hopefully, there will be no need to use this tag and all of the elk will be well-behaved and stay away from causing problems. Still, if needed, I stand ready to do my part and notch a tag by removing one of the damaging critters.

The new Fish and Wildlife online licensing system did not seem user-friendly. However, after a phone call or two, the new system became clear and is easier than the old system.

If you haven’t tried the new system, call the Fish and Wildlife licensing division and let them walk you through the procedure/system.