Against my better judgment, I will respond to some of the posts made here after my somewhat inflammatory comments regarding non-residents. I guess I should have expected all of the comments from the non-residents. This is not an apology - it's an explanation and it's only posted because someone who I met while hunting this season has asked for clarification of my posts.
I believe first and foremost I should explain my posts were intended to be a form of venting against our DOW for allocating way too many tags to non-residents. Upon re-reading my posts, I realize they did not come off that way. I realize non-residents are only taking advantage of a situation our DOW has stuck down our throats. Please show me one Western state that allocates their licenses as follows: 60% residents, 40% non-residents, and of the 60% resident tags, landowners can purchase up to 15% of those. In reality, in the popular areas non-landowner residents have the potential to only be eligible for 45% of the tags available. I realize that is not always the case, but the potential exists nonetheless. I realize our DOW has taken the step of increasing the resident allocation next year to 65% in areas needing less than five pref points and in those areas needing five resident pref points or more, the percentage was raised to 80%. As a resident, I applaud our DOW?s efforts ? however late they may be in coming.
?Prohunter?, I remember meeting you and the two other guys hunting with you. I also remember you mentioning you were from CA. Did you all eventually fill all of your tags? I remember two of your group were holding out for a really nice mulie. We had to take off on Thursday because of some commitments here at the base I had that weekend. I'm sorry if you have taken offense to some of my statements. They are based on six years of hunting here in CO. It wasn?t based on this past season in the area we were deer hunting. With all of the public land there, I certainly didn't feel crowded at all. To answer your questions, yes I am from ?back East? although I prefer to say I'm from the South (Tennessee) and yes I was stationed here at Peterson AFB over six years ago because of serving on active duty with the US Air Force. I am a resident of CO. I own a home and I pay CO property tax and CO state income taxes. I am going to retire and make my home here. I believe that more than qualifies me as a resident. I certainly don't feel my chain has been jerked by you ? it's a legitimate question only a person who had actually met and spoke with me would know to ask.
As far as some of the comments in this thread I have read from people who appear to be non-residents ? WOW! I didn't realize so many of you had such thin skin! I must have really hit a nerve with some of you. I suggest you try and put yourselves in our situation. Living in a state where up to this year, you aren't even eligible to be considered for at least 40% of the tags in the most desirable areas of your state. I defy anyone to come up with a Western state with a situation like that. And yes, I realize it's a self?inflicted wound, but it's still one we have to live with.
I suppose one nice thing about being a resident is we have the capability to pre-scout areas to see if the hype is just that ? hype. It's unfortunate some of you folks had to ?burn? your points to hunt an area that was supposed to be more of a deer-shoot than a deer-hunt, but ?them?s the breaks?! I agree with everyone else it's difficult to be in the woods with so many other deer & elk hunters (regardless of where they live). The CDOW should look at separation of the elk & deer seasons here, but I believe that's highly unlikely in the near future.
I'll have to say I really got a chuckle out of comments such as: ?I'll move to CO and run you competition for res tags?. .....Feel free, I love it here and encourage everyone to move to CO! Or, how about ?We hiked long miles to have Phil Fulmer (fat asses)?..on their atv?s?. ......Please - tell it to someone who cares. How about ?Vols suck?. .....Grow up! This was one of my favorites ?Where are the Vols with regard to the Hokies?? ......Is this an NCAA sports forum or a hunting forum? Try and stick to the subject at hand. What's this one about? ?enjoy yer lemon cuz I'm still coming? .......WTFO????? But, my absolute favorite has to be ?Tenn/vol I hope somebody pees on your lettuce next time?. ........Whatever.
To sum up, I offer the following personal observations/opinions:
1. CO is not a sovereign nation
2. CO should quit selling OTC bull tags
3. CDOW needs to change their priorities
4. I don't eat lettuce
5. I don't like lemons
6. CA can charge whatever they like for their products
7. This is a free country (I should know)
8. Non-residents have the right to hunt here in CO
Did that cover everything?