Well I got my Wyoming deer tag the other day, Yahoo for me, and was sitting here wondering how much longer I will be able to afford hunting out of state. This year an out-of-state Tag and License costs $273. I put the extra $200 for the special draw. For those of you not familiar with the special draw, for an additional $200 ($473 total) you get put in a separate draw. You are not in the regular draw, only the special. The special draw is comprised of 40% of the tag quota. The theory being less people will pay the additional $200 and your odds of drawing will be greater. The truth is, this is a strict gamble because if more people put in for the special draw your odds will be less than the general. Although this has not occurred, the possibility exists. I know most will say, "śwhy are you complaining, you gat a tag?"ť. True, but a year ago this draw consisted of 20% of the quota and only cost $100 extra. With this trend, will next year cost $300 extra? I don"™t know how long I can afford this kind of raping of the out-of-state hunter. I have no problem paying more than a resident; I don"™t mind having lower odds of getting a tag than a resident. It just saddens me to think that in the very near future my opportunities to hunt, specifically out-of-state, will diminish to the point of non existence.
I was wondering what others felt about these types of regulations/drawing for non-resident hunters. Is hunting becoming a rich mans sport, are fish and game departments relining on the non-resident to fund their existence.
In my opinion, no individual should be able to pay for preferential treatment. Drawing should be a strict lottery. Bonus point should be awarded to anyone unsuccessful in a draw, only cost a minimal processing fee and only give an additional chance at a draw. The practice of awarding all tags to individuals with the most points first is unfair. Everyone, including the first time applicant, should have some chance of getting a tag.
I would prefer that all states develop reciprocal agreements to charge each other's residents the same as their own thereby eliminating the prejudice against non-res altogether . I don't see it happening though ... [&o]
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Kevin Haendiges
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RE: Out-of-state hunter treated unfairly
Yup AAA it sucks when you see the trend go the other way without a good ending. Many of the fish and wildlife depts are funded by license sales which in many states is diminishing. Lots of the next generation aren't interested in the hunting and fishing sports. The financial burden is falling heavier on the aging sportsmen. I agree with you that lotterys should be fair and give everyone the same chance. The awarding of points justs drives those with unlimitedresources to keep sending in the application and eventually they will buy their tag.
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Too busy with fishing to spend much time here.
More and more hunting in general is becoming the sport of the well to do.
Think about the cost for tags in most western states even for residents. EXPENSIVE! Here in VA. I get a small game lic. for 12.50 and a big game lic. for another 12.50. So for 25.00 I get a daily limit of small game for the whole season (Sept.to Jan) and then I get 6deer tags a Bear tag and3 Turkeys.
Then special season lic. is another 12.50 each ie, archery and black powder.
All told I got it easy compared to some. Heck a non-res lic is like 60.00 still cheap comparatively speaking. and they are all OTC.
We dont have tons of huge deer but at least the average guy can still go afield in the old dominion
Here's a little chart that I made up at work with a co-worker (we were thinking of taking an out-of-state trip sometime this season). This is rough typed from Excel.....
If it weren"™t for work and family I"™d leave California in a heart beat. California residents get a bad rap, but I must say it is not as bad as most people think. Nothing that having a few million people drop dead wouldn"™t fix.
That point system does seem kinda odd. But so does giving out land owner tags & then/them selling them to the highest bidders- something i cant do.But instater or out we are all paying more - of course those living here should pay less& have first choices.
Quote:
If it weren"™t for work and family I"™d leave California in a heart beat
Most ppl havea job(or 2)& family - on my ol ladys paycheck& benifets alone- the first 10 yrs living here cost around $150,000.00 lost - ya could dble that/ or multiply by 2 easy(i was self imployed a lill harder to figure)
Sometimes you have to give up something - to gain something.
Licences like taxes & the population here- are ever increasing.
Now if they poured public taxes& mineral money into the game& fish like the do the education system- i could be hunting free& living like a oil rich kuwaitie instead.
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Out-of-state hunter treated unfairly
