2021 WY Bill for Tag Increases

[D_Dubya]

I really don’t think the price is that big of an issue, if WGFD needs to raise prices to be solvent and have the resources to manage wildlife then by all means, hunters (and anglers) need to foot the bill. I’m not an expert on Wyoming wildlife but if they are actively pursuing ways to increase game populations and in turn hunting opportunity then I’ve got zero issue with paying the necessary amount to fund those endeavors. I had a great time bow hunting elk in western Wyoming last fall on a general tag and personally for the amount of nice elk I saw and nearly had opportunities on I would pay $1100 (or more) for a tag every year and drive the 1400 miles each way with an ear to ear grin on my face for the rest of my hunting days. The butt hurt comes when the perception becomes that the future holds much less frequent opportunity for much more money.

 

[Maxhunter]

State Senator Hicks who started the bill always does this during the legistrative session. I'd say they're testing the waters to see what people are willing to pay. Nonresidents do provide a lot of revenue for the G&F Dept in preference points and licenses. I also suspect the WY Outfitters Association will try and stop this bill.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/About%20Us/Commission/WGFD-Revenue-Fact-Sheet_FINAL.pdf

 

[Hilltop]

State Senator Hicks who started the bill always does the this during the legistrative session. I'd say they're testing the waters to see what people are willing to pay. Nonresidents do provide a lot of revenue for the G&F Dept in prefence points and licenses. I also suspect the WY Outfitters Assocaition will try and stop this bill.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/About%20Us/Commission/WGFD-Revenue-Fact-Sheet_FINAL.pdf

This time has a different feel to it. As mentioned before, bills like this keep getting closer to passing. From a selfish perspective, I hope it takes another year or two to get done. I would love to cash in my moose points before they are trash.

 

[mallardsx2]

I think they should just raise the resident prices if the need more revenue. They are already getting the value of a lifetime with every tag purchase...

Non-residents are CLEARLY already footing the bill....
If anything non-residents should be getting more tags for providing such revenue to the WGFC. Not less tags.
I find it funny how residents cry and cry and cry about non-residents but they tend to forget who contributes the most to their system. In this instance residents are all super happy because they obviously benefit from this. However, small towns relying on non-resident hunters to spend money in their businesses will suffer. Outfitters wont have as many paying clients, the list goes on and on. But thats ok, as long as the residents get an increase of +5% chance on drawing that LE tag. But, but, but....we have a resource, we have something you need, we pay taxes, but, but, but, we pay for roads...

Like every western state, they bite the hand that feeds them. Targeting non-resident hunters financially, implementing a preference point system, luring people in, then changing the game half way through, all while shooting themselves in the foot for local business opportunities.

It seems like a big gamble to me.

One day residents will have to stand on their own 2 feet because DIY public land non-residents will stop coming, and then they will turn the heat on the residents of those states to make up the difference.

You wont be able to paddle a boat across that river of tears when the resident licenses start going through the roof to make up the difference.....

 

[Turbodude]

I wonder if this will increase the participation in this years draw to hurry up and burn up PP’s and stay out for the future price increases

 

[mallardsx2]

I wonder if this will increase the participation in this years draw to hurry up and burn up PP’s and stay out for the future price increases

Of the 5 people I talked to yesterday about this nonsense, ALL of them said they were going to try and get out of dodge before the price increase. The applicants will come out of the woodwork this year.

 

[Hilltop]

Of the 5 people I talked to yesterday about this nonsense, ALL of them said they were going to try and get out of dodge before the price increase. The applicants will come out of the woodwork this year.

I agree- if the bill is passed. I think we will know where things stand by the antelope and deer application deadline.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I am down to 2 PP on elk. I used my deer and antelope points 2020. I think I will set out this year on buying any points. I like to fish. May just readjust my priorities.
I made 4 trips to Wyoming since 2017. Spent a good amount of money at motels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, taxidermy and wildlife licenses and tags. Maybe those good folks in Kaycee, Sheridan, Buffalo, and Casper can work a little harder to make up for a few lost dollars. Not sure how the nice lady that works at Sinclar, the General Store, and family ranch will find the time though.

 

[Hilltop]

I am down to 2 PP on elk. I used my deer and antelope points 2020. I think I will set out this year on buying any points. I like to fish. May just readjust my priorities.
I made 4 trips to Wyoming since 2017. Spent a good amount of money at motels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, taxidermy and wildlife licenses and tags. Maybe those good folks in Kaycee, Sheridan, Buffalo, and Casper can work a little harder to make up for a few lost dollars. Not sure how the nice lady that works at Sinclar, the General Store, and family ranch will find the time though.

The reality is for every one that drops out another 2 will replace that person in the points game. Fewer non-resident hunters will have an impact on some smaller economies but Wyoming tourism is going strong. So many more people go out to ride UTVs, hike, snowmobile, etc than I ever saw 10-20 years ago. The mountains are literally crawling with people.

I understand the decision some will make to drop out but, in the end, I'll take my lumps and hunt out there when I can. Even if it is just for small game and fishing on some years, I will be there.

 

[JimP]

But of all those that go to Wyoming to ride UTV's, hike, snowmobile and whatever else go to check out their hunting areas?

I also think that if this becomes law that a lot will drop out of the tag game and start to just put in for points which will increase the almighty point chase when they decide to cash in their points. One thing is that if they want to increase the number of people that put in for points or tags is to just go to post pay once you draw the tag. When Utah did this their applications nearly doubled and the application fee that they charged added to the DWR bank account.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I just got my new computer back from transfering all the data from my old one and have been out of touch for a week or so. Still need to digest what the increases are and how much. I only hunt deer & antelope there, so the projected increases for everything else won't effect me.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Yes, the courts have ruled that it is okay for Game and Fish Departments to discriminate against nonresidents. But that doesn't mean it's right.

This bill is sponsored by two individuals with dubious credentials (Hicks and Wharff). A couple of years ago, Better Wyoming rated Hicks as the worst legislator of the year. And Wharff, a freshman representative, is sponsoring a bill to transfer federal lands to the state AND TO SELL them. Neither of them have ANY credibility with me. See land transfer bill here: https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2021/HB0141?fbclid=IwAR2tsDQmnkGWsMB_x80xvKJjmFDMxwAfjFvt0iui3kEfckRZuB8OsDzE-44

If I was a nonresident, in addition to objecting to the fee increase, I would be pissed that they have again tilted the playing field against me in the preference point game.

The bill would not have a great impact on me as a resident, but I do not like the discriminatory nature of it.

 

[Granby guy]

I think they should just raise the resident prices if the need more revenue. They are already getting the value of a lifetime with every tag purchase...

Non-residents are CLEARLY already footing the bill....
If anything non-residents should be getting more tags for providing such revenue to the WGFC. Not less tags.
I find it funny how residents cry and cry and cry about non-residents but they tend to forget who contributes the most to their system. In this instance residents are all super happy because they obviously benefit from this. However, small towns relying on non-resident hunters to spend money in their businesses will suffer. Outfitters wont have as many paying clients, the list goes on and on. But thats ok, as long as the residents get an increase of +5% chance on drawing that LE tag. But, but, but....we have a resource, we have something you need, we pay taxes, but, but, but, we pay for roads...

Like every western state, they bite the hand that feeds them. Targeting non-resident hunters financially, implementing a preference point system, luring people in, then changing the game half way through, all while shooting themselves in the foot for local business opportunities.

It seems like a big gamble to me.

One day residents will have to stand on their own 2 feet because DIY public land non-residents will stop coming, and then they will turn the heat on the residents of those states to make up the difference.

You wont be able to paddle a boat across that river of tears when the resident licenses start going through the roof to make up the difference.....

Why as a NR do you feel that you have a right to more tags? If the price increase bothers you then don’t apply and hunt locally in your own state. Hunting locally is what residents do. If you say “but my home state doesn’t have elk or antelope” then you must determine if the price is worth the opportunity to hunt these species.

I would have no problem if they raised resident fees to make up for the loss of NR fees and would be thrilled to have more tags and opportunities. Those of you complaining about the lack of tags available to NR in western states are likely doing that while having a resident big game tag in your own state. In western states residents are not always guaranteed a license or opportunity and I am appreciative that states like Wyoming give NR an opportunity at all. They don’t have to.

 

[Hilltop]

Why as a NR do you feel that you have a right to more tags? If the price increase bothers you then don’t apply and hunt locally in your own state. Hunting locally is what residents do. If you say “but my home state doesn’t have elk or antelope” then you must determine if the price is worth the opportunity to hunt these species.

I would have no problem if they raised resident fees to make up for the loss of NR fees and would be thrilled to have more tags and opportunities. Those of you complaining about the lack of tags available to NR in western states are likely doing that while having a resident big game tag in your own state. In western states residents are not always guaranteed a license or opportunity and I am appreciative that states like Wyoming give NR an opportunity at all. They don’t have to.

I agree with you on almost every front. However, the fact that they have lured in so many people with the preference point game that will now NEVER have a chance to draw some species tags is wrong. For antelope, deer and elk, it will just mean a longer wait between drawing tags. For species like moose, 80% of the people that have been buying preference points will mathematically never be able to draw in their lifetime. If this passes there will only be 13-14 non-resident moose permits sold yearly in the state. There are currently 10,747 non-resident people holding moose preference points in Wyoming as of right now. In the next 50 years, approximately 700 of them will draw.

I would also point to the fact that when most of those people started applying, the tags were about $1,000 or less. Most hunters expect fee increases but I'm guessing nobly on that list expected the amount to almost triple.

The bottom line is what is being proposed is morally wrong unless the State of Wyoming does something to help out those people who purchased PP that will never have a chance to draw.

 

[Maxhunter]

Here's a letter from the WY Outfitters Association. You might want to call or email.

 

[mosquito]

I understand raising the prices. It really is supply and demand. As buzz stated 6476 new nonresident applications. However it should be a simple business philosophy.... if you raise prices to high to fast your going to lose customers to someone else. Its really no different here and I believe it is to much to fast . Those are big increases.

 

[Slugz]

Does anyone have a slide that shows all states on one page, tags and prices?

 

[Hilltop]

I understand raising the prices. It really is supply and demand. As buzz stated 6476 new nonresident applications. However it should be a simple business philosophy.... if you raise prices to high to fast your going to lose customers to someone else. Its really no different here and I believe it is to much to fast . Those are big increases.

As rough as the increases are for some to swallow, they aren't nearly high enough to scare enough people off to the point that they won't sell their tags. Something to consider, good outfitters have wait lists multiple years long for 7-10k hunts. Make no mistake, the tags will sell. They just might sell to someone with deeper pockets.

 

[BuzzH]

I agree with you on almost every front. However, the fact that they have lured in so many people with the preference point game that will now NEVER have a chance to draw some species tags is wrong. For antelope, deer and elk, it will just mean a longer wait between drawing tags. For species like moose, 80% of the people that have been buying preference points will mathematically never be able to draw in their lifetime. If this passes there will only be 13-14 non-resident moose permits sold yearly in the state. There are currently 10,747 non-resident people holding moose preference points in Wyoming as of right now. In the next 50 years, approximately 700 of them will draw.

I would also point to the fact that when most of those people started applying, the tags were about $1,000 or less. Most hunters expect fee increases but I'm guessing nobly on that list expected the amount to almost triple.

The bottom line is what is being proposed is morally wrong unless the State of Wyoming does something to help out those people who purchased PP that will never have a chance to draw.

I somewhat agree...but here's another angle to think about.

What do you tell a 12 year old kid, born in Wyoming and living his whole life here, that their Resident friends and family didn't do all they could to help them realize their dream of hunting a sheep, moose, goat, or bison in their own state because we sat back and gave away the highest percentage of the NR tags to those species than another State?

No offense, but I'm going to advocate for that 12 year old kids chance wayyyyyy more than yours.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I somewhat agree...but here's another angle to think about.

What do you tell a 12 year old kid, born in Wyoming and living his whole life here, that their Resident friends and family didn't do all they could to help them realize their dream of hunting a sheep, moose, goat, or bison in their own state because we sat back and gave away the highest percentage of the NR tags to those species than another State?

No offense, but I'm going to advocate for that 12 year old kids chance wayyyyyy more than yours.

Good point about the 12 year old kid! But the truth is a 12 year old entering the preference point game will be way behind in preference points and will likely not be able to hunt moose or sheep for 20 to 30 years.

I think it would be much better for the state to convert to the bonus point system now before things get worse. Starting now everyone who has preference points should be entered into the draw as many times as they have preference points. Someone with 24 points would have 24 chances. A beginner would have one chance and so on....

Probably won't happen...it's not ideal, but it may be the best way out of the preference point mess that has been created.

The number of tags allocated to nonresidents is a separate issue. But I'd probably keep it about where it is due to its overall economic benefit.