Non-Resident Wilderness Badge - Yes or No?

Cactus · Jul 13, 2004

Haven't been here in a while. Guess because I'm so disappointed to be stuck in Michigan this year instead of going hunting in my adopted home state of Wyoming. Good to be back with you all.

Guided is great if you don't have your "moutain skills", but why does the law discriminate as to where you're from? Doesn't matter if you're out of Cheyenne or Chicago, a greenhorn is a greenhorn either way. I'd bet my best rifle that I can do as well if not better than most residents when it comes to wilderness navigating. 7 years in Wyoming have taught me all I need to know, only I am forced by the State of Wyoming to pay a fortune to enjoy the best areas in Region H.

So the question is how would you vote on a proposal to award a "wilderness certification" for hunters with enough experience?

Cactus

NvrEnuf · Jul 13, 2004

Sounds like a good idea to me. I believe the hard part would be coming up with a sufficient test. I doubt an online test would do much good. Hmmmm. I guess maybe they could do some kind of internet test and then require any person with a "Wilderness Certificate" to carry some basic survival/navigating tools (compass, GPS, water, lighter etc...). If they were checked at anytime and didn't have each of the necessary items they would be cited and sent out to either get the items or just leave the wilderness area? Who knows? Anything beats the heck out of the way they are running it right now that's for sure!

Instead of just complaining about the way things are I agree that we should try to get some good ideas that might help to change the stupid law.

Thanks for bringing up this thread.

NvrEnuf

Phantom Hunter · Jul 13, 2004

Cactus,

It's a good idea, since the powers that be think only outfitters have any skills in wilderness areas. The law should be repealed but since it won't be, your idea is the next best thing.

Phantom Hunter

_droptine_ · Jul 13, 2004

I think that this is a good idea, but I think it then just give legitamacy to the stupid law already in place. I think all Wyoming residents that want to hunt in some other state should be subjected to the same stupid law. You are from Wyoming and want to hunt a wilderness area in say, Colorado. Well, you need to hire an outfitter.

ElmerFudd · Jul 13, 2004

Are you serious? Think that law has anything to do with your safety? It discourages those nonresidents not wanting to hire a outfitter in wilderness units from applying and forces those who get tags in those units to hire one. There are plenty of places outside the wilderness areas that an idiot can kill himself. Plus, you could hike in without a hunting license and kill yourself legally anyway. It is an acceptable tradeoff to me, as outfitters are a nonresident's only real voice in fish and game meetings, and Wyoming has a more generous nonresident draw hunt quota than most states, 20% to 25%.

manny15 · Jul 14, 2004

makes sence to me......

AdamBomb · Jul 14, 2004

You can hunt coyote with out a guide according to the regs. Just not Big game. It's all about the high priced outfitter.

txhunter58 · Jul 14, 2004

Elmer hits the nail on the head. The law has nothing to do with safety or wilderness skills. You are welcome to wander through any wilderness in Wyoming as long as you don't hunt. It is simply a compromise the state made to appease outfitters.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

nripepi · Jul 14, 2004

I think Wyoming should make available a limited number of outfitter designated tags so the outfitters can take repeat customers and make a living and also allow anyone to hunt the wilderness areas.

Nino

Cactus · Jul 14, 2004

Glad to know that Im not the only one who thinks that a badge would be a good idea. Sad to agree that the State of Wyoming has set up this law to provide the high $$ outfitter with his own monopoly.

Cactus