Tag Allocation, House Bill 112

[RICMIC]

I hope I don't start another US VS: THEM post, but I have just found the info on a Wy. legislative proposal to change the non-resident tag allocations. I have the complete breakdown, but it would essentially cut back on NR tags by about 50%. Maybe someone who knows how to add "links" can post all the info. WY DOW gets the majority of its budget form NR licenses, plus the state economy would take a huge hit if this were to pass. After reading this, I did a quick calculation, and came up with approximately $52,000 that myself or people that I have brought to WY since 2009 have spent in the state. Most of that goes to people who rely on the rural economy. Point creep is bad enough, but doubling in one year would just about shut me out.

 

[bdan68]

I think this is it: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2014/Introduced/HB0112.pdf

 

[libidilatimmy]

This is a bill from last year that was proposed but never made it to the floor for a vote, but we'll probably see some sort of a revised version of the same proposal this year. The legislative session won't start until Mid-January but here's a link that show's the bill's that are on the docket so far for consideration.

http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2015/billreference/BillReference.aspx?type=ALL

 

[RICMIC]

Thanks bdan. It's hard to glean much from what is there; I only had a summary of the results if it were to pass as proposed. Maybe someone knows the scoop. I got some of the info from "Wyoming Wildlife", a magazine by the Wy Fish & Game Dept. Most came from, "Wyoming Outdoors", an annual magazine by the Wy Outfitters & Guides Assoc. They both would have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo (as do I). That doesn't mean that the statistical breakdown is innaccurate. A 90/10 split would mean a 75% reduction in the search & rescue fund, and a loss of about 250,000 acres in the Access Yes program. Resident license fees would have to increase 250% to make up for the reductions in NR tags. If any of this is inaccurate or outdated, I would be happy to hear about it.

 

[laxwyo]

I don't have a problem with current NR tag allocation of
Elk, deer and antelope tags.

 

[Againstthewind]

http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2015/status/status.pdf

libidilatimmy is right, this chart says HB0112 was received for introduction; did not consider for introduction vote. Hopefully what RICMIC was talking about doesn't come to pass. That would probably be a lot of lost $$$.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

That's really old news for those of us that keep up on this stuff. It is already pretty well set that they won't be introducing another Bill like that this year with any cut in tags for deer, elk, and antelope because the monetary loss would bankrupt the G&F and mean a possible 100 million dollar loss in NR revenue for the state tourism industry. What may well be introduced this year though will be a bill to cut the moose, sheep, and goat tags to a 90/10 split. This would not make much of a monetary loss to the state, but it certainly would screw those people that have a lot of money invested in PPs and are figuring on being able to use them soon if the tags were cut by 50%. Even if you aren't in the PP rat race for those 3 animals I think we should all make our voices known that it's a cheap shot to NRs to change the game after it started. It also won't add that many tags to the resident pools if you look at the stats for those three animals and the small number of tags that NRs get right now with the present splits that were instituted when the PP programs were put in place many years ago. The resident argument is that most other states don't have more than a 90/10 split and Wyoming should go that route too.

 

[RICMIC]

Thanks Topgun; I can see why you're the go-to guy for all things (non-resident) Wyoming. I agree that all hunters need to be more cohesive when it comes to access issues. The number of tags allotted should be scientifically determined at a sustainable rate, but the resident/non-resident split is a political decision. I too have decided not to get into the point game for the "Trophy" species, mainly because I didn't think that I would draw a tag before I'm 80. The only way I will ever get on a sheep hunt is if I have a terminal illness and can talk my wife into a grand Canadian adventure. I would gladly be a non-hunting "Step-n-Fetchit" for someone with a tag.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I need to add a quick note to this discussion because I was in a hurry and didn't word things quite right in that other post. The Bill that will probably be introduced next year will also include a 90/10 split for Bison tags. I also should have said 2 of the other 3 animals are in the PP category when I left "2 of" out of that sentence. Mountain goats, as well as Bison, are on a straight random draw for both residents and NRs and don't use a PP system, so at least people that were looking at hunting them aren't out any PP money. However, their chances of drawing a tag would be cut drastically with this 90/10 split that will probably be introduced and passed. If that happens it would normally go into effect the following year in 2016. Their will also be some Bills introduced to raise license fees and one will probably have a chance of passing now that people see what the G&F is having to cut to stay afloat and fees haven't been raised in quite a few years. If that happens those would also take effect for the 2016 seasons.

 

[QuazyQuinton]

Thanks for posting this info. I'm not in the loop for these issues, but they could have a bearing on my hopes of coming to Wyoming in 2016.

QQ

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Thanks for posting this info. I'm not in the loop for these issues, but they could have a bearing on my hopes of coming to Wyoming in 2016.

QQ

The only thing you should figure on if you're talking about hunting in 2016 is the license fees that will surely go up across the board for that season when the Legislature convenes in 2015 to discuss whatever Bills are introduced. In the meantime, if you haven't bought any PPs, I would certainly do so next summer to have at least 1PP for the draws in 2016. Those fees are $30 for antelope, $40 for deer, and $50 for elk.