BrianID
Very Active Member
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Even though many nonresidents can afford it, $1200 for deer and pronghorn tags and $2000 for an elk tag is a lot of money. I'm sure that 40% of the tags will sell out at the special price for all the moderate and high demand hunts. Personally I'm sad to see hunting become more of a rich mans sport but also see a couple positives.
#1 Poachers - easier to justify higher penalties for poachers when tags are selling for a high price. If people are willing to spend $1200 to shoot a small buck or $2000 to shoot a raghorn, there will be more pressure on judges to given more than a slap on the wrist for "non trophy" animals.
#2 Extra money for Wyoming Game and Fish. I don't agree with everything they do but I think they do many things well. This extra money will hopefully help the animals that we all want to see thriving. Sorry residents, but I think this extra $$$ will also make it harder to push 10% cap on nonresident deer, elk and pronghorn.
Some of the negatives.
#1 If you hunt as a nonresident in any western state, you can expect significant fee increases over the next 5 years. Historically when one state increases their tag fees, other states tend to follow. Charging nonresidents more is an easy way to fix department budget problems. Inflation increased department costs significantly over the past 4 years. There have been no significant tag price increases in recent years in most western states. Nonresidents can expect increased license/tag fees in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. You could argue that it is irresponsible for NM to charge only $277 or MT to charge only $200 for a nonresident pronghorn tag when Wyoming is getting $1200 for 40% of their nonresident tags.
#2 Nonresident hunting will become more of a rich mans sport. Out of state hunting is already a stretch for most middle class Americans. I have several friends that have been applying in Wyoming and there is no way they would pay $1200 for deer or pronghorn or $2000 for elk.
#3 Creates outfitter welfare. This was a big drive behind the increased fees. For low demand hunts, almost all people paying the higher fee will be outfitted clients.
#1 Poachers - easier to justify higher penalties for poachers when tags are selling for a high price. If people are willing to spend $1200 to shoot a small buck or $2000 to shoot a raghorn, there will be more pressure on judges to given more than a slap on the wrist for "non trophy" animals.
#2 Extra money for Wyoming Game and Fish. I don't agree with everything they do but I think they do many things well. This extra money will hopefully help the animals that we all want to see thriving. Sorry residents, but I think this extra $$$ will also make it harder to push 10% cap on nonresident deer, elk and pronghorn.
Some of the negatives.
#1 If you hunt as a nonresident in any western state, you can expect significant fee increases over the next 5 years. Historically when one state increases their tag fees, other states tend to follow. Charging nonresidents more is an easy way to fix department budget problems. Inflation increased department costs significantly over the past 4 years. There have been no significant tag price increases in recent years in most western states. Nonresidents can expect increased license/tag fees in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. You could argue that it is irresponsible for NM to charge only $277 or MT to charge only $200 for a nonresident pronghorn tag when Wyoming is getting $1200 for 40% of their nonresident tags.
#2 Nonresident hunting will become more of a rich mans sport. Out of state hunting is already a stretch for most middle class Americans. I have several friends that have been applying in Wyoming and there is no way they would pay $1200 for deer or pronghorn or $2000 for elk.
#3 Creates outfitter welfare. This was a big drive behind the increased fees. For low demand hunts, almost all people paying the higher fee will be outfitted clients.