I have heard a rumor that Non-resident archery permits are going to cost $500 this year, and they are going to use the lottery system.
Do any of you Illinois hunters know anything about this?

I have not heard or read anything like that, not that I would be surprised. I' ll keep my eyes and ears peeled this weekend at the Deer and Turk Classic in Bloomington.

I have heard rumors that something is up, but I would be surprised to see another increase this soon!
I hope the local outfitters, and business owners have enough clout to stop anything that foolish.

As if almost 300 dollars is acceptable? I use to go home (Southern Il) every year to hunt, now thats gone because of Greed and selfishness in the system! [:@][:' (][X(]

I haven' t heard anything about that.

Hope that it doesn' t though.

There is NO $500.00 fee planned. The only pending legislation currently maintains the existing NR deer tag cost, and does NOT mention instituting a lottery.

" I hope the local outfitters, and business owners have enough clout to stop anything that foolish. " "

I hate to say this, but at the Deer hunting Advisory Committee, your " local outfitters" were the ones who proposed the NR fee increase. You have them to thank, in large part, for the price.

Rumors, rumors, rumors.

JRW

[quote]I hate to say this, but at the Deer hunting Advisory Committee, your " local outfitters" were the ones who proposed the NR fee increase. You have them to thank, in large part, for the price.

Hmmmmmmmmm. Why would they do that, since at least half of their customers are non-residents?[]

JRW, that may well be, but when the tags skyrocketed last year the outfitters I read about, or know were against it.

And they are not " my local outfitters" . I have my own land to hunt.

I could easily believe that the Illinois bowman, or archers, or whatever your state group is called, would want the non-resident tags increased.
Thats where all the tears came from last year!

Nothing personal, just gotta call `em like I see `em!

JRW is correct, the fee increase came from the state, and most hunters apposed it. The largest segment of IL non resident deer hunters is those that return home to hunt with family and friends and do not use outfitters or lease.

The real opposition is with the NR cap on archery permits, the resident hunting org.' s want it, .... the outfitters and farm bureau do not.

is it correct to say then, that there is NO lottery for archery tags?
I was under the impression that for Non-residents, all tags were lottery, not just firearm season.