Wyoming considers tag price hikes

[filmjunkie4ever]

Cowboy State Daily

Hunting license application fees could see huge increases in Wyoming, jumping 300% for Wyomingites and 400% for nonresidents under a legislative bill. Game and Fish would put that money to good use,...

www.facebook.com

Check it out for yourselves. I’m getting so tired of hunting turning into a “Rich, Elites only” club. Hiking the prices by 300-400 percent is nothing other than exclusion.

 

[DrMike]

That would be a big jump in a singoe move, regardless of how the funds were distributed.

 

[bkordon]

Cowboy State Daily

Hunting license application fees could see huge increases in Wyoming, jumping 300% for Wyomingites and 400% for nonresidents under a legislative bill. Game and Fish would put that money to good use,...

www.facebook.com

Check it out for yourselves. I’m getting so tired of hunting turning into a “Rich, Elites only” club. Hiking the prices by 300-400 percent is nothing other than exclusion.

One of the issues we have in Wyoming is that Game and Fish is funded strictly from tag sales, both resident and non-resident. There are a handful of new legislators with the 2024 election that have zero idea that they( general fund) do not fund G&F. Maybe this changes, but currently, they are underfunded. They also have an entire Biology arm and a conservation arm that is funded not by the state. I am by no means supporting that level of increase as I am a little pissed at the lack of resident tags over the years. I tried for three years to get a youth antelope tag for my boy in an area that roughly 800 tags were issued annually. Never happened and he has lost some interest by not being able to be in the field.

Some of these ideas never make it out of committee but one never knows. If I hear anything, I will be certain to post it.

 

[bkordon]

Also, from taking a look at the bill, it looks as though they are targeting application fees only.
Residents currently pay $5 for limited quota applications and non-residents pay $15. This used to be free.
The bill is looking to raise the application fee to $20 for residents and $75 for non- residents.

Accordingly to the article I read, one of the proponents of this is Josh Coursey, President and Chief Executive of Muley Fanatics.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Since all non-resident tags are draw tags, except leftover over the counter but they will still probably add the fee, it is effectively a tag price increase.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Again, hunting is becoming way too expensive for regular folks. I don’t care what the reasons may be for raising prices, the reality is, it becomes increasingly more expensive to hunt for an increasingly worst experience on public land.

I just hate seeing this all go to heck.

 

[bkordon]

Since all non-resident tags are draw tags, except leftover over the counter but they will still probably add the fee, it is effectively a tag price increase.

I am by no means discounting the impact and completely agree with you; it is a tag increase, and even the majority of the resident tags have become draw tags. There are over 100 units for antelope (all draw), a 130 for elk and over 100 for deer. A small percentage of units are general hunt units but it's like the Wild West in some of those units, as the tags are not limited.

 

[bkordon]

Additionally, if a hunter manages to gain access to private land, the landowner gets a carcass coupon and is reimbursed from Game and Fish based on species. This of course doesn't include any access fee the landowner may request from a sportsman. There is an idea here that if you lease land from BLM for cattle or sheep or anything, it becomes your land, not the publics. I cannot tell you how many locked gates I've come across on BLM out in the prairie. It gets harder every year to gain public access.

 

[cloverleaf]

Pretty much priced me out as a non resident. Not blaming or saying its wrong either. If as has been ststed the Wyo GFP is not supported outside tag fees then I guess thats the reality. Residents who pay the taxes should get priority. CL

 

[1100 Remington Man]

I have said it before I truly feel my generation will likely be the last generation to enjoy hunting as it is getting to Stupid Pricing for Tags to Game Departments not Managing the resources correctly.

I do not see a future for hunting IMHO.

 

[3 Meter Para Bellum]

I have said it before I truly feel my generation will likely be the last generation to enjoy hunting as it is getting to Stupid Pricing for Tags to Game Departments not Managing the resources correctly.

I do not see a future for hunting IMHO.

I would certainly hope not as I represent a younger generation but I have yet to have the opportunity to hunt due to major life events. I sincerly hope there will continue to be hunting opportunities for the average person for years to come.

 

[KinleyWater]

As I plan some upcoming hunts over the next few years, I've scratched WY off the list entirely. It's a shame, too, because I really like a lot of what Wyoming has to offer. But, it's also really hard in a number of other states for elk, deer, and bear - speaking as a non-resident, that is.

 

[cloverleaf]

I have said it before I truly feel my generation will likely be the last generation to enjoy hunting as it is getting to Stupid Pricing for Tags to Game Departments not Managing the resources correctly.

I do not see a future for hunting IMHO.

Afraid you may be right. Unless the next generation makes a lot more money than I did as a younger person. Its nothing to see $1,000 rifles- and tags and limited hunting opportunities. But then I am getting old and my situation is different. Kids would rather "shoot in a video game" if they dont have opportunity to get outside and do it. Hope we are wrong.... S#%t, I try not to think like this its depressing. Thoser of you with successful young people please keep posting your stories.... This old geezer needs the hope. CL

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

As I plan some upcoming hunts over the next few years, I've scratched WY off the list entirely. It's a shame, too, because I really like a lot of what Wyoming has to offer. But, it's also really hard in a number of other states for elk, deer, and bear - speaking as a non-resident, that is.

I have several points for Wyoming in both Antelope and Deer. But like you I am considering just cutting my losses and saying forget it. Like everyone else I bought points, saving up the necessary minimum to draw and expected to draw. Thanks to point creep and tag reductions we did not draw last year.

If these proposed price increases do happen that will price me out of being able to go. Guess I need to look East and see where I could go to shoot a few whitetails et al for less money.

 

[SJB358]

If there was a better deal than Wyoming for a DIY, I’d be there yearly. While paying increased prices stinks it’s better than sitting at home.

 

[KinleyWater]

I have several points for Wyoming in both Antelope and Deer. But like you I am considering just cutting my losses and saying forget it. Like everyone else I bought points, saving up the necessary minimum to draw and expected to draw. Thanks to point creep and tag reductions we did not draw last year.

If these proposed price increases do happen that will price me out of being able to go. Guess I need to look East and see where I could go to shoot a few whitetails et al for less money.

Man, that hurts all the way from here. Whitetail is a fun hunt, and there are many opportunities.

I suppose if there is a silver lining, it's that eastern states have been quite successful in reintroduction of species. All of them are draw, as far as I know, and maybe some for residents only, but I think it's a positive development nonetheless.

 

[RoHa]

I have said it before I truly feel my generation will likely be the last generation to enjoy hunting as it is getting to Stupid Pricing for Tags to Game Departments not Managing the resources correctly.

I do not see a future for hunting IMHO.

When you add up that cost of living went up like twice since 2020, price of ammo been climbing every year and now this bs 300% fee increase? God, I remember when hunting would actually SAVE you a whole load money on food...

Also to add up: I swear to God I bought my Moss Patriot 300 blk for like 240-260 back in 2018, now its close to $500. Mark up on hunting rifles is insane...

 

[username J]

Truth is that there isn’t a G&F department anywhere in the US that has raised prices where the majority of hunters walk away.

Until then, there’s going to be price increases .

 

[JD338]

I seem to recall MT raised their prices for tags. I might be wrong but I believe they didn't lower the price and instead added other tags.
Maybe someone can set the record straight

JD338

 

[username J]

I seem to recall MT raised their prices for tags. I might be wrong but I believe they didn't lower the price and instead added other tags.
Maybe someone can set the record straight

JD338

I didn’t say G&F departments didn’t raise prices. I said the majority of hunters didn’t walk away from those prices …..as long as they sell tags, they will continue to raise tag prices.