Non resident hunting fees

[Madison COunty]

Why are non resident hunting tags and fees so much? I have no problem paying what they want to hunt elk or whatever. I just looked here in Iowa to hunt whitetail deer I pay $28.00 for my tag plus maybe $30.00 for my license. A non resident pays $450 for a tag and $125 for a hunting license. That seems ridiculous to me!

[Swede]

The bottom line is that the wildlife belongs to the State. As affirmed by the courts, they can charge nonresidents whatever they want to charge. Usually the residents want to minimize the number of nonresidents that hunt their State, so there is pressure to keep the prices high, and incentive $$$ for the State to keep the fees near the stratosphere.

[Madison COunty]

The bottom line is that the wildlife belongs to the State. As affirmed by the courts, they can charge nonresidents whatever they want to charge. Usually the residents want to minimize the number of nonresidents that hunt their State, so there is pressure to keep the prices high, and incentive $$$ for the State to keep the fees near the stratosphere.

Yes I know wildlife belongs to the state and we want to keep as many out of state hunters away as we can. If we don't there won't be anymore wildlife for us residents to hunt.

I guess it all comes down to $$$$ huh?

[Swede]

I guess it all comes down to $$$$ huh?

Duh.

[Madison COunty]

I guess it all comes down to $$$$ huh?

Duh.

Of well, might as well spend it. You can't take it with you when you die.

[Indian Summer]

Most states with elk limit the number of licenses available. In many states money isn't the deciding factor but instead the draw odds are. But.. in states like Montana and Wyoming... the number of residents is low and the cost of management is high so the cost of administration goes to the people who come from other places. What bothers me is when I see the money going to waste on unnecessary programs and study after study where the results don't really benefit anyone. Or... when they use our money.... but we have no voice in the decisions that are made that have to do with the money or the management of the animals we go there to hunt.

I think the fine folks at the Boston Tea Party would consider that similar to taxation without representation. Bottom line... government anything is a money pit!

On a side note: I think this thread may have been more appropriate in the Docs Office section. I have noticed that lots of people have been using this section for everything and anything. No big deal, just sayin.

[Swede]

On a side note: I think this thread may have been more appropriate in the Docs Office section. I have noticed that lots of people have been using this section for everything and anything. No big deal, just sayin.

I agree, but even Elknut uses this forum to ask what our favorite knife is. I guess hunting fees, binoculars and favorite knives are all related to elk hunting.

[Indian Summer]

On a side note: I think this thread may have been more appropriate in the Docs Office section. I have noticed that lots of people have been using this section for everything and anything. No big deal, just sayin.

I agree, but even Elknut uses this forum to ask what our favorite knife is. I guess hunting fees, binoculars and favorite knives are all related to elk hunting.

Yep... but then again, isn't everything on this site related to elk hunting?

[wawhitey]

if a state doesnt charge exorbitant fees for non residents, everybody would flock to where field and stream or outdoor life says the hunting is best. it would be a joke. then that place would be ruined, and everybody would flock to whichever state was called the best next year.. would be like a swarm of locusts. you want the swarm hitting your home?

[Indian Summer]

Not in MT and WY Whitey. Limited licenses... and further limitation by hard to get permits take care of that. States like that and Utah, NM, and AZ have that kind of thing covered. The thing that gets crazy are the draw odds in some places. I guess Colorado and anywhere else with OTC tags may be a different story. I can't imagine Colorado if elk tags were $29.99!

[cnelk]

Here is something that was released by the CPW recently:

Colorado's big game hunting seasons account for a nearly $1 billion economic boost each fall to the state economy. A 2009 study found that elk hunting alone pumps $295 million into the Colorado economy and supports 3,400 jobs in the state.

[Swede]

Wawhitey. There is another commonly used way to limit hunter numbers. That is the draw. In some States even that appears to be a money maker. At this time I am communicating with my son and a friend of his about an out of State hunt. My son, who has a young family wants to go. He is looking to see if he can handle his share of the cost. I can help him some, but don't feel I can cover both of our costs either. The way I see it is, hunting big game is getting to be a rich persons sport more and more. This is especially true if you want to hunt as a nonresident.
When I started hunting my first hunting rifle cost less than $20. Shells were just under $5.00 per box, and a license and deer tag together went for $5.00. The area open to hunting was huge. It covered most of the State of Oregon and you could hunt an archery and a rifle season.
I am not really critical of the States. I have met with the fish and wildlife people and have attended many meetings. I know what they are up against. They have a very tough job and cannot possibly satisfy everyone. Still people are paying a lot more for a lot less hunting opportunity.

EDIT NOTE Wawhitey: Sorry for piling on. I did not check I.S.'s and cnelk's post who were posting while I was still writing.

[Madison COunty]

Maybe with marijuana being legal in Colorado now it will help put lots of jobs and money in the economy. Do you think the will lower the cost of tags and hunting license then or at least keep them the same price?

On a serious note now it is what it is, I understand they don't want hunters wiping out animal populations. I agree with Swede hunting used to cost a lot less ( but so did a loaf of bread or gallon of milk ). If you are a meat hunter and hunt big game at least you get more meat for your money then shooting a deer or smaller animal. But what do you do?

[wawhitey]

when you started hunting, it cost a lot less.... but $30k per year was a good livable wage you could support a family on. my only point is that if states let out -of -staters come in for pennies, any place that got written up as the new hot spot would be destroyed. i do agree that hunting is becoming a rich mans game in many respects, and it should not be that way. but it also depends on how you want to hunt, and what you expect. most places a guy can still just buy a deer tag and get some venison without spending much money. i, however, want to apply for every special draw my state offers, and i want the multi season tags, and all of that. my 2013 total for wa, my resident state, for all my licenses and applications, was right around the $500 mark. excessive? absolutely. but i couldve just spent a hundred bucks and hunted deer and bear and small game.

[Toby]

We all support Federal Land with our tax dollars, I'm all for that, but not sure I agree that individual states should have total control over license fees. Although I am sure that is the easiest way to handle it.

No matter, it is no wonder that Hunter numbers continue to decrease as the cost for tags and other costs increase. It is sad to see it become a rich mans sport.

Don't some states give higher draw odds if you pay more, I'm not sure about that, but if so, it doesn't seem right.

Fish and game may belong to the state, but not just the rich people who hunt and fish in that state.

[Indian Summer]

If you are a meat hunter you can buy a cow tag in a lot of places for considerably less than a bull/either sex license.

I think the marijuana thing could create even more hunting pressure from meat hunters because everyone will have the munchies.