I definitely see your point and I do agree that hunting is a privilege, not a right.
So with that in mind would you be concerned if we closed the gap between the NR and Resident fees?
I'm sure you wouldn't mind a resident increase since it has so much to offer for such a great value.
I wouldn't mind meeting in the middle at 385$ or so. lol
Bottom line is that we are all getting ripped off and all of the states are overspending like crazy because they want to beat the more more more drum.
I worked for the govt so I know what happens behind the scenes. If most of you knew what really happens with all of your money you would rise up against them. haha
Waiting in line is fine. I wait in line all the time in life. I have no problem with that. Getting ripped off by our Govt is wrong.
Seriously? We're all getting ripped off?
This crap gets old. I WILLINGLY apply for licenses in a dozen or so States each year. I WILLINGLY spend my time and money advocating for wildlife. I WILLINGLY am a life member of some sportsman's organizations. I WILLINGLY offer my experience to help with the cause.
How do you figure you're getting ripped off?
Keep in mind that, by Federal Law, the States have the right to discriminate against NR's any way they want. Up to, and including not even offering NR's a single tag for anything.
I've hunted/fished in AK, MT, CO, NM, AZ, WY, British Columbia, OR, WA, NV, ID, ND, SD, TX and probably some states I'm forgetting about.
Not once have I ever felt "ripped off" with the fees charged by the States to hunt and fish. I fail to see how anyone can make an argument that they're getting ripped off via fees when we pay all kinds of money for rifles, scopes, ammo, spotting scopes, binoculars, trucks, fuel, food, ATV's, clothing, boots, backpacks, tents, blah, blah blah?
The tags and license fee's are a small part of the cost and IMO, if you cant plan ahead to save for the tags, good stay home then. Take up golf...see if that's free.
The other thing I see all the time, that simply isn't true, is that GF and other Federal and State agencies are hurling money around and being wasteful. News flash, management costs money. Employees, in particular good ones, need to make a living. They have invested a boatload of time, as well as their own resources, to get degrees, paid their dues working seasonal/low paying tech jobs to get experience etc. They are professionals, they need to be compensated as such. Trust me, not many I know are doing their jobs because of the short hours and high pay...many donate a lot time (which IMO, they shouldn't).
Not to mention that the reality is, most all the State and Federal Agencies have been saddled with shrinking budgets and increased costs of doing business. Things like equipment needs, fuel, vehicles, employee benefits, salaries, basically the cost of doing business has increased across the board. We've been demanding agencies "do more with less" for 2 decades. Congress and State Legislatures have hamstrung State and Federal Agencies with shrinking budgets, less ability to increase staffing, and at the same time demand more from the Agencies.
What the public gets for the money they contribute is a bargain...and even if NR and R fee's both doubled, would still be a bargain.
I've had enough of the whining about license fee's from the very people who proclaim they "love the sport" and "care about wildlife". Time to step up and pay the freight...either with your time, your money, or your experience. Some of us pay with all three...and don't complain about it.
I'm over it...
