Another thing is that there is no attempt to exclude those who have recently been successful from getting a new permit so that the previously unsuccessful can have a turn.

I see this happening with permits to Washington's Enchantment Lakes area--some get permits year after year while others go for many years without success.

This doesn't affect me because I never have felt up to the strenuous effort required to get there, but I feel sorry for those who try year after year unsuccessfully.