Sta Reservation Process Results

[N. Cook]

I am very interested to have comments from those who attempted to use the reservation system devised by the FWC to secure permits for STA 5 and 1W this season. Hopefully, all went well......but we need to know the positives and negatives as UW-F works to make access to the STAs better. Just reply below.....Thanks. Newton

[matthersjr]

worked fine; wish we could print out the permits instead of having them mailed. All that would take is another db query and a print button; takes a whole two minutes to create the functionality.

[Steve]

Newton,
At 10 a.m. I called the toll-free number three times, it was busy each time, so I went online and got the hunts I wanted for STA5 and 1 West by 10:10 a.m. That's two more hunts than I got for all of last season at STA5 (I never managed to get through in time last year). Going online was a simple and efficient process.
BTW, a friend of mine in Stuart went to the tax collector's office there and said he was the only hunter there at 10 a.m. He had to explain to four women behind the counter what he was after, but they finally figured it out and he got a permit for each STA.
Another friend went to the tax collector in Moore Haven and, after some explaining, got two permits.
So far, it sounds like a much more equitable system than last year. Of course, there are a lot more permits with the afternoon hunts. Thanks for your efforts on this matter.
-- Steve

[godvlman]

I had no problem registering on the computer. I have talked to about 30 people today that attempted and all got at least 1 permit. From my understanding with talking to everyone things went great even though it didnt look like it was going to in the beginning !!

Everyone has been saying the same thing "They have never been able to get thru in the years and now they finally get to go at least once"

Like you said a big Thanks to FWC and UW-FL and lets hope that people dont try to take advantage of the Biologist that is going to be out there and the property so we can do it again next year!!

[N. Cook]

The small numbers at the tax offices made that method a good experience......However, we need to consider what that would be like if 50 people showed up. The brochures and call in info for this year was not widely published. Many more hunters will be applying next year.

The computer also worked....but there were no instructions on how to proceed in the brochure or on the FWC home page. I did not try to "buy a license" because I was looking for a "permit" and never could find the method...which was to go through the "buy a licences" process and at the very end, after you had put in all your personal info, the screen for the STA permits came up. THIS WILL HAVE TO BE WRITTEN IN THE BROCHURE FOR NEXT YEAR. Also, it would help to have a link on the "hunting" home page and/or instructions on the proceedure on the page.

The phone in was another matter. I started dialing at 10am, got through at 11am and was put on hold by a machine until 11:30 am. A nice lady came on and helped me through the process. Not a lot was left and she had no screen that showed what was left. We had to apply for a hunt time over and over until we hit one open. Not very efficient. Either there must be several more operators or some method to give the applicants who use the phone-in equality with the computer or tax office.

The urgency of all the methods above could be removed by a mail in draw. However, like the comments above, we are thankful to the SFWMD and FWC for the now 2200 hunters in the STAs versus 550 in years past.

[Steve]

Newton,
I kept expecting the FWC website to have some big announcement right on the home page, like "Click here for STA5 and STA1 West permits." That was a huge oversight on the agency's part, in my opinion.
I only found where to go after messing on the website from 9:30-9:50 this morning. I went to hunting and permits and licenses and so on, til out of desperation I clicked on "buy a license," then I went through the process and saw that there was nothing for the STAs, but figured I'd try again after 10 and sure enough they were up there.
I'm curious, since I got through so early, if they removed hunts (as they filled up) from the licensing website or if you had to choose a hunt and find out when you tried to pay if it was still available.
I wouldn't mind a mail-in process where you check your 22 STA5 choices in order and then your 22 STA1 West choices, it seems like it'd be a lot easier on everybody except the person who has to go through all the applications.
-- Steve

[swilli1054]

I went on line and had both of my permits by 10:10.I thought that the system went worked well getting those.

Youth Hunt:
This was a little bit trickier...Once I got my permits on line I could no longer access the STAs...Step son is 14 does not have drivers license number..I called the phone number to get permit. Youth hunt has to be in youth's name.Needed his SSN#,which was in my brief case in truck. I told the operator that I would call back. Got the SSN# and called back. Very nice lady handled my call. After trying to access STA info in his name and having no luck,she tried my name. However I had already filled my quota. She informed me that I would have to go Tax collector office. I told her that I had called just mere moments before and was assured that I could do this on the phone. She put me on hold to check how to do it. She came back and said that she was told to do as an out of state license. I was able to get Youth Permit in this fashion. The cost was the same. Lady was very pleasant and helpful.

Overall I thought everything went off well!!!!

Stephen

[eddy]

I was online searching for the proper webpage, I dialed the toll free number on the office phone, plus I had my cellular ready. Didnt need the cellular. On the first call, I got in, and put on the "Music Queue". I was on the website about to enter my info, when a nice lady picked up the phone and helped me with my permits...Awesome!:)

[novaalex]

I guess you could say that for two years I have lived the STA experience. The first year I got one permit and went only once. Last year I got no permits but spent many a sleepless night waiting in line to be a walkin. I have been comitted to this process from Day 1 and I feel that today was a huge improvement. I disagree with all of you that said there was a problem today. Since the brochure came out online over a week ago I have made phone calls, sent emails, and scoured the FWC website until I was well versed in what was going to happen. Just like scouting my work paid off. At 1003 am I was in with my two first choices. By 1005 my mother in law who is not a hunter and knows nothing about this was able to get two permits for my father in law! That is ease of use! I spent 10 minutes yesterday explaining what to do for her! I spent all of last week discussing the process with other hunters, Susan Weaver at FWC, and others. It was fair. They announced it a week before, David posted it on this site and AWF, and both mullet wrappers in Dade and Broward ran articles. If you care about the STA's and what UW is doing you knew what to do or at least you should have! I am not in favor of a mail in because that makes it too easy!!

[duckmanJR]

Alex...I understand what you are saying but in fairness to all the other hunters who may not be able to put their life on hold on a workday friday...a mail in is MOST fair to all involved( ps..I got in and got two hunts as did Joey) and while i like the fact that I did OK..... UW-F is an organization that must represent " the average guy" and what is best for that ...As Newton says " 35 year old working guy with a young teen boy"
And this system may be OK... but we are seeing the results of a small sampling of "connected" members of an organization.... by that I mean with timely info etc...

[Steve]

I just visited the myfwc.com website and they had this posted prominently on the right side of the home page...

"Purchase STA 5 and 1W Waterfowl Permits Now!"

I don't know when it was put up and whether it was done in time to help anyone get a permit.

[novaalex]

Duckman if UW's creed was believed by every 35 year old guy with a son making.......we would have 100,000 members and Newton, Dave, you, and the regionals would be working full time for UW. Believe me when I tell you that there are people that hunt the STA's that probably don't have a credit card, but then again would they know how to write a letter and send it in a timely manner. Everybody that got a permit did not luck into it! They knew what they had to do and they did it. Just like the members and volunteers of UW. We are aware of the fight, we stay connected, and we persevere. By creating a mass mailing you are giving a chance to the people who never scout, never help, and don't contribute! What kind of message does that send to people like you and me if we get shutout next year because somebody at Tower Group decided to mail in 25,000 applications. That's what could happen with "fairness" This system was fair my wife tried to get me a permit after I had alreADy gotten one and the system rejected her. It did what it was supposed to do. Manual letters retain a certain amount of human input and that's where corruption can come into play!

[Randy Clark]

all the minor problems that i have had everyone else has mentioned but one thing to think about when you mention mail in is that at least with the call in even though the agents were not well versed in all the aspects and had to keep resubmitting my dates at least they could do that instead of a mail in that just said no that morning hunt is filled next envelope. all in all i favor the callin or walkin system even with the problems. i dont know for certian but i think you could get a permit for someone else if you had their info if likle mentioned above 35 and had to work.

[Steve]

There's all kinds of ways to mess with any system. If you had nine kids, after getting two permits for yourself, you could get each kid two permits and have hunts at both STAs for every weekend. You'd just have to bring the right kid to each of those hunts to show i.d. and get you both in, as well as a very understanding spouse.

[N. Cook]

The "kid system" worked for some....but if they have a license and show up for the hunt that is ok......but you should have to call in again, re-access the web site or go to the back of the line at the tax office for each name you use to get a permit....in other words, one permit per hit on the system.

Multiple applications on a mail in would require multiple hunting licenses under the same name.....that would disqualify you....and you must show up with the right name and photo id at the hunt. Using multiple people is ok....but they must show up for the hunt as the permits cannot be transfered......

Hard to game the system....I do like a mail in as it does away completely with the crazy rush at the set time. Newton

[novaalex]

First we wanted to hunt at an STA. Then we wanted to hunt 2 STA's and we wanted a system to make it fair even though "fair" was questionable. Now we want a new system. Will we ever be satisfied? I think we need to be very careful what we ask for before the powers that be notice that we are all behaving like a bunch of little kids. I think the message that has to be put forward is: Thank you for the access, thank you for the system, and let's continue to work on more public access. I cannot believe that anyone is complaining when Friday late afternoon p.m. hunts were still available. Anyone who wouldn't want one of these hunts simply does not know what they are doing. Birds are flying into the sta all day long. Once again I will say that anyone who has a gripe because they didn't get in simply did not prepare themselves properly. That is my opinion and I'll stand by it. If this was last year's system that same construction company with the secretaries and the speed dialers would have got over 200 permits and where would we be!!! MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT! WORK ON BEHAVING PROPERLY THIS YEAR, GIVING THANKS, SECURING WHAT WE HAVE AND TRYING TO GET MORE. WE WILL NEVER HAVE ANY PERFECT SYSTEM. FOCUS ON OPENING MORE PLACES!!!!!!!!!!

[N. Cook]

This permit system used was not really tested as a limited number of hunters even know the facts that another STA will be open and there will be two hunts a day. This system is very much better than the old call in, but any system that relies on first come first serve methods has an unneccesary urgency and an inconvience for those who are working jobs that do not allow them to stop in the middle of the morning and leave work, or get on a computer or dial a phone for an hour. We have a very good relationship with FWC and SFWMD staff (with a few individual exceptions) and will continue to lobby for more access and the fairest distribution of access. Thanks to all the members who made the important meetings and help make the great progress to date. Newton

[Pirate91]

I logged on last night and got a permit for an afternoon hunt for STA 1W on 11/28. I was a bit shocked at how easy it was after hearing the pain and suffering concerning acess to STAs in the past. Now I just have to figure out where it is.......

[novaalex]

so Pirate logged on two days late and still got in! Not bad!

[Pirate91]

Afternoon hunts still available for STA 5, get 'em while there hot. I may get one for STA 5 to go along with my STA 1W. One per STA.....Also morning hunts for Christmas day and New Years Day available in STA 5, but I'll have to put the family first on those days......:)

[uncle D]

Slightly off topic, but I have been told that in the NRA mag, Delta was highlighted for winnig the access issue in the Everglades and the STAs and UW didn't get mentioned.

I have not seen the article.

Duke

[Converted]

I thought UW-F would be mentioned in that NRA piece. We are doing a better job of keeping the writers informed lately. Stay tuned...

[N. Cook]

Terry Gibson, the writer, is a friend of Jeff Alan but has also given UW-F as well as DELTA good press. He is a good guy and we communicate regularly. The article was completely out of date and had several factual errors that represented the sitiuation as it was in June....How the STA world has changed!!!!!! I have written a "letter to the editor" to the magazine with an update, including the successful opening of STA 1W and the addition of afternoon hunts. Some small chance it will be published.....Newton

[Novalex]

The STA's call-in system is now fixed.

1) Call-in
2) Comuputer
3) Tax Collector

I called On Friday & got the hunt I wanted.

It appears all are happy with the system.

Now we need to fix Goodwin!!!

Talk about wasting the average working mans time.

I know Goodwin was watching to see how the system worked & will probably implement something like it for the 2005/2006 season.

From the way the gator & STA's permits were handled this season, I can say the system works!!!


CJ

[D Duck]

...and work on fixing Merritt Island for next year as well.:mad:

[Reddfin]

Sorry I am late to reply on this. I am 36 with a wife, two kids, and a job. I did put my morning on hold and went to the tax collectors office early 8:30 AM. The lady did not know anything about the STA hunts but she later discovered a little memo. She read and versed herself until the computer was updated at 10 am while I took my crew to breakkfast. At 9:50 we were back there waiting and we started calling on cell phones. It took only minutes and all three of us got what we asked for while we were on hold waiting for the phone system to pick up.

My brother got in by 10:45 on STA5 by calling from his office but was not allowed to get a STA1W permit. The guy told him he could only have 1 hunt per season....MISINFORMED. (Sorry Alex it really happened). He was frustrated and never called back to try again. I never thought there would be any available after 12 noon.

My kids got in on the STA youth hunts. There were some issues for that as well. I got them in on STA1W at the Tax collectors office and happily left until Swili told me what to do. I later got them in on STA5 while on the computer by selecting the nonresiden option. (Sorry again Alex it really happened). I wouldnt put them on a regular hunt till about 12 anyway. They are really too young to hunt on a regular day but I hope at 7 and 8years old, by the end of the season they will get their first ducks or have ablast trying. Overall the experience was smooth an most of the people I know got in after trying for a couple of years. Hopefully access days and huntable STA's will increase as interest does.

Tony

[Super Dave]

System worked perfect for myself and my huntin buddies. We used the internet and were each able to get permits for both STA's on the days we wanted. Finished the entire transaction by 10:05. Note for those with kids registering for the youth hunt. After a long conversation with the folks on the call-in line, my buddy was able to get his kid a permit by going into the online system as a non-resident, completing the on-line forms and wa-la.

This system is definitely the way to go for future hunts and saved my fingers and ears from all the redialing on the old call in system. Thanks FWC!!!:)

[Reddfin]

There were other isolated minor incidents. I forgot to mention the tax collectors office in deerfield was turning people away telling them they did not offer those hunts and only the regional office did????!!!!!
Overall this system was a success. It was the first ime for many of those providing the licenses and those trying to get them. Next year we will abll be a little wiser. I would rate it is as a resounding successs.

Tony