Swamphunter Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 This thread is for those of you who hunt in NY State. You can tell when reporting a deer or bear kill, that whoever in their right mind, thought the DECALS reporting system by telephone would make things easier, was definitely NOT a hunter who would have to report a kill. What a pain in the ! Absolutely the most idiotic type of touch tone reporting ever thought of. Every single year the so called " improvements just make it worse. I looked for the proper email address to email someone with my complaint, but can not seem to locate the proper one. Whatever happened to the "drop in the mailbox within 48 hours" reporting cards that were so simple. I still have a theory that less deer get reported now than ever because people are intimidated by the call in reporting method and some people think that if they error by hitting the wrong button, the EnCon officer will be at their door demanding an explanation. For those of you NY hunters who haven't reported a take yet this year, wait until you fill a tag. I don't mind the reporting over the phone...it just needs to be a bit simplier. I am not sure if they have a system of reporting by filling out a form on the computer and sending it in, but man...that should make it easier for them if they only have to print our report as opposed to reduce it to writing and then print it. I have said my piece to the local EnCon guy who agreed with me wholeheartedly, but man...it needs some thought out by sportmen improvements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! Thanks for the warning Swampy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HaDeRonDa Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! I just used it for the first time and either things went smoothly for me or I got lucky. Maybe it's the buttons on your phone??? LMBO Hopefully my second harvest will be as smooth. I'd hate to have to hangup and call over and over to get it right. A card system would be easier IMO too even though I did not seem to have any problems. If an Encon officer come knocking I will be there to answer any questions he/she has. The law deserves respect even if they don't believe in the system. They also deserve full cooperation at all times. They are what make our country and daily life comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted October 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! Things went pretty smooth for me as far as entering the information. Only once did I have to re-enter something. Its just way too long and requires way too much prompting. I would be happy to do it by email...I can tell you must be younger because it doesn't sound like you are familiar with the ease at which that card got filled out and dropped into the mailbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! We do ours via email and it works great!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! So far, I haven't really had any problem reporting by telephone. Of course, anything can be made easier ans simpler, and this is a system that they should make as user friendly as possible. I think I know the real benefit of telephone reporting........that is if they are actually using all of the potential. Basically, when you are feeding the numbers into the phone, you are (or at least, could be) automatically feeding the computer database at the same time. The theory being that we don't have to pay wages and benefits to extra personel to duplicate the effort of typing in data off of hand-scrawled report cards that are half obliterated by blood stains and so on. If they are truly using the system in this fashion, there is undoubtedly some real cost savings, and eliminated typing errors and mis-reading of input. Hunters are inputting to the database directly without any middle-men to pay. It's also kind of like "right from the horse's mouth", so the input should end up more accurate over-all. However, if hunters are finding that the system is not user friendly, or is intimidating, or is in some way discouraging, something should really be done about it. I would suggest that you continue your search for the proper e-mail contact, and politely describe to them the problems that you experienced and also any other pitfalls you can imagine others having, and even try to come up with some suggestions for improvements. I also agree with your thought that there ought to be a website form that could be filled out from the DEC website. Such forms can also be used to automatically feed databases without the need for hired personel to act as keypunch operators. Actually, I would like to hear about any successes you might have finding someone who administrates the reporting system. I would also like to verify that they are indeed using the system properly to feed the database, and if not......why not. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! i also miss just the old mail in cards, it was so simple and took less time then over the phone.i still report my deer every year but i still wish it would go back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! Dont know Ken, guess there will be flaws with any type of system. Kind of wish they would do something different here. Email or phone sounds pretty good to me really. We still have to drive to a checking stations asap after the kill. Being we hunt behind the house, that can tend to be a bit of an inconvenience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Quick_Draw_McGraw Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] Dont know Ken, guess there will be flaws with any type of system. Kind of wish they would do something different here. Email or phone sounds pretty good to me really. We still have to drive to a checking stations asap after the kill. Being we hunt behind the house, that can tend to be a bit of an inconvenience. [/ QUOTE ] No doubt...the same goes for here in WI...it's very inconvienent to take your kill to a checking station wish I could just call it in or e-mail or mail a drop card...although if the phone system is a bit confusing it may be a whole lot more confusing if you celebrate the kill with a couple rounds before calling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! I still boogles my mind (which is not hard to do) that you NY guys do not have to physically take it to a check in station to get varified, weighed, and checked for proper weapon used, etc... Its a huge pain for me since I live and hunt within the same square mile. LOL The nearest check in is about 10 miles away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deer huntin k-man Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! I actually enjoy takeing my deer to a check in station. While there you frequently get to meet other successfull hunters and see what they got and hear their story. You can learn alot by talking to the people that are hunting near you. It may just be me but I like to meet other hunters and listen to success stories, see what type of equipment they use and accessories they put on it. I will sometimes will drive by a check in station just to see if someone is there. So personally I dont mind the method of useing a check in station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] I actually enjoy takeing my deer to a check in station. While there you frequently get to meet other successfull hunters and see what they got and hear their story. You can learn alot by talking to the people that are hunting near you. It may just be me but I like to meet other hunters and listen to success stories, see what type of equipment they use and accessories they put on it. I will sometimes will drive by a check in station just to see if someone is there. So personally I dont mind the method of useing a check in station. [/ QUOTE ] I agree. Its especially nice when your the one with the nice deer getting checked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I actually enjoy takeing my deer to a check in station. While there you frequently get to meet other successfull hunters and see what they got and hear their story. You can learn alot by talking to the people that are hunting near you. It may just be me but I like to meet other hunters and listen to success stories, see what type of equipment they use and accessories they put on it. I will sometimes will drive by a check in station just to see if someone is there. So personally I dont mind the method of useing a check in station. [/ QUOTE ] I agree. Its especially nice when your the one with the nice deer getting checked in. [/ QUOTE ] Yes, I agree. Mornings are kind of fun checking them in, however night time can be a royal pain in the rear, especially if you are tracking a deer late and the checking stations closed before you find your deer. One I use closes at 8 pm. Here the temps are not always cooperative, and sometimes you cannot let a deer hang here overnight. You are supposed to bring the deer in, field dressed is allowed, but you are not supposed to go any farther than that before getting a permanent kill tag issued. So if you find the deer late and the checking stations are closed, by law you might have to wait until morning to do anything more than field dressing your deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! The problem I have experienced with DECALS is understanding the computer when it says the town of kill. It does require alot of prompting and definitely could be made eaiser. Remember, DEC gave the decals contract the 1st year it came out, to a company that folded about 3 months after the NYS contract was given Worldcom..we all know their history, many went to jail for mismangement(ie.Bernie Ebbers) Worldcom was on the rocks when DEC was considering the switch...they did it anyway. So the current system of DECALS was set up by Worldcom and another company picked up the ball when Worldcom went chapter 11. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] The problem I have experienced with DECALS is understanding the computer when it says the town of kill. It does require alot of prompting and definitely could be made eaiser..... [/ QUOTE ] So far this deer season I have not had the privelege of using the system. In the spring I did with calling in my Turkey Harvest. While it did seem to be a drawn out process...I did not mind one bit. As far as Check Stations go thats what I was used to before moving to NY. and also while hunting in West Virginia. In WV they even have check stations at local gas stations. In the areas I'm hunting locally this year here in NY..I am legally bound and required to take my harvest to a check station. Both of the properties are within the CWD Containment Area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! Last year I shot a ML doe in the southern tier. On the way home I realized that I forgot to call and report it. So I pulled over and dialed DECALS on my cell phone. Mister Man! You should seen me. I would press a number then rush the phone to my ear, press a number then rush the phone to my ear, press a number then rush the phone to my ear. It was crazy!! If you use DECALS on a cell phone be sure to turn on the speaker if you have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! My father has had the problem with the speed at which it needs to be entered also. Since he has got a little bit hard of hearing and his vision is not the greatest, I have to report his kills for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! I actually really like the decals system, I think it is really easy to do and I actually don't forget to call them in as I used to forget to mail the card most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ny_gun Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] This thread is for those of you who hunt in NY State. [/ QUOTE ] Remember the first year the DECALS system was in place? They were changing the prompts just about every day... I really can not believe after all of this time they have not straightened this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! I hope some of these comments and criticisms are finding their way to someone in the DEC that can do something about them. It is just possible that they are sitting there all fat, dumb, and happy thinking that they have the perfect system out there. Some of these complaints sound pretty legitimate and should definitely be brought to somebody's attention. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest luckyman4 Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] I actually really like the decals system, I think it is really easy to do and I actually don't forget to call them in as I used to forget to mail the card most of the time. [/ QUOTE ] That's funny, for me its been just the opposite. As I recall, we filled out the report cards at the same time we filled out the tag, then just dropped them in the mail on the way home. Now I fill out the report card (more like a report stamp) and if I don't lose it immediately, I leave it on the counter or table at home. Fortuneately my sister has found her niche in the deer harvest process, and she does all of the calling in. Come to think of it, I've never even called that system. . . good thing we have a secretary at our deer camp, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetro Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! We're licky here so far. We don't need to report any deer. Only time we take one in, is to register it for our Local Big Buck contest. The odd time we'll get radom surveys about our archery hunts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! It was reported in The New York Outdoor News that only about 1/3rd of the spring turkey take is actually called in. Makes me wonder how many call in their deer. How can "educated" deer biologists make accuate reports and make changes if they are are getting only 1/3rd of the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] It was reported in The New York Outdoor News that only about 1/3rd of the spring turkey take is actually called in. Makes me wonder how many call in their deer. How can "educated" deer biologists make accuate reports and make changes if they are are getting only 1/3rd of the story. [/ QUOTE ] I asked a question to a DEC Officer at one of the Meetings being held a couple years ago...I was told: "We have Mathematicians that figure out the average from the information we do get" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 Re: *%^(*&^! DECALS! [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] It was reported in The New York Outdoor News that only about 1/3rd of the spring turkey take is actually called in. Makes me wonder how many call in their deer. How can "educated" deer biologists make accuate reports and make changes if they are are getting only 1/3rd of the story. [/ QUOTE ] I asked a question to a DEC Officer at one of the Meetings being held a couple years ago...I was told: "We have Mathematicians that figure out the average from the information we do get" [/ QUOTE ] We guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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