Few things.
1. We live in a place where you aren't required to hunt as a NR in any state.
2. Each state has the right to manage its resources as they see fit. Meaning if they choose to, like in the case of North Dakota with moose, etc. they can keep 100% of the resource to themselves. This is the way its been for a long, long time and I agree 100% with it on the basis of constitutionality and the law, including Supreme court decisions.
3.If NR hunters don't like buying points, don't do it. Simple as that. Most all states have a random portion of the draw that you can participate in without purchasing points.
4. There is NO other state where NR's express an entitled attitude toward a States wildlife resources like that of Wyoming. NR's that hunt here have had it too good for too long, is the only reason that I can come up with for the entitled attitude. Let me be the first to say it, as a NR hunter you are NOT entitled to a single tag here. You hunt at the pleasure of what Residents are willing to give.
5. As a NR to the other 49 states that I hunt, you will never hear me complain about cost, points, or license availability. I'm a guest there and realize I hunt at the pleasure of the residents of those states. If I think that the price isn't worth the value, I just dont hunt there. What I dont do is complain and whine about how those states are "sticking it to me". Those states have the absolute right to charge what they want and allocate what they want to NR's, including giving residents no tags.
6. I don't view financially supporting a state with point fees, license fees, etc. as something that should be complained about. I care enough about wildlife that I have no problem cutting the checks, in fact, I feel pretty darn good about my money supporting what many supposedly care about. In the scheme of things, when I apply for, or hunt as a NR in 10-12 states a year, I feel the cost to manage wildlife sort of balances itself out. I may pay more to hunt MT, ID, NM, UT, IL, NV, AZ, AK, CO, OR, WA, etc. etc. But, I get a pretty big discount in the State I live in. I pay more of the freight in other states, NR's pay more of the freight here (speaking of license revenue only).
7. What isn't mentioned, past license fees, is the huge amount of NGO support and volunteer hours that Residents spend enhancing wildlife. Not many NR's are showing up to plant bitterbrush, pull fencing, lobby the legislature, attend meetings, and residents providing nearly 100% of the NGO funding that in turn, puts that money they raise on the ground in Wyoming. Volunteer hours for conservation are currently valued at $29/hour...
Finally, hunting as a NR is NOT a god-given right, its a luxury...just like its a luxury to own 2 homes, or fancy sports cars. If you want luxury items, you pay for them...I see no difference with hunting as a NR. Not everybody can afford a corvette stingray, and not everybody can afford to hunt as a NR. Thankfully, there are KIA's to drive and every hunter can hunt cheaply in the State they reside in.
