Originally Posted by
driftrider
I think that every state should charge non-residents whatever the taxpayers representatives feel is due for the PRIVILEGE of hunting in a state they don't normally reside and pay taxes in. If you don't want to spend the money, hunt in your own state... or move and become a resident of the state you prefer to do your hunting in. Living in Iowa, I pay taxes all year around in Iowa, a portion of which supports the DNR and conservation and game management. Because I live here, I enjoy the privilege of $27 deer tags. If I want to go hunting with at my brother's place in MN, I pay the $141 MN charges for a non-resident firearms deer license. If he comes home to Iowa, he'll pay whatever Iowa charges non-residents for a license and tags. I really don't have a problem with this disparity. Like I said, I pay taxes all year round to Iowa, my brother pays his to Minnesota, and we both enjoy the respective benefits of living in our chosen state.
Mike
So you pay $141 for MN, but this year a NR tag for Iowa (plus hunting license, habitat stamp, etc.) totals over $500. Why is an Iowa deer 4 times more expensive than an IA deer 2 miles apart?
And please tell me you're kidding when you suggest someone move to a state just to be able to hunt there cheaply. That is the most insane thought I've heard in a long time.
I grew up in Iowa and have hunted with my family there for over 20 years. The problem is they've raised the prices and changed the tag rules so that it is very difficult for me to justify coming back for the family hunt anymore. I'm not a trophy hunter and am just as happy with a doe as a buck. Why can't I just pay a reasonable amount (<$200) so I can come hunt with my family? There is more to hunting than just killing something. I enjoy getting out with my friends and family to go hunting. But I'm also not rich so that I can pay $500 just on license fees!