Non-resident license fees.

[4thefunofit]

Thank you for all the great information! I asked the question because the unequal administration of these fees simply didn't seem right, and now after reading these comments I know for certain that something's rotten in the woodpile. I wonder what the state agencies themselves have to say about all this?

 

[4thefunofit]

OK, call me an idealist, but I believe if someone lives in the United States, he/she has the same rights to hunt, fish, or otherwise enjoy the benefits of our wildlife resources as anyone else no matter which state they are from or which state they care to visit. The only deviation from this ideal I can imagine as justifiable is in cases where high numbers of hunters relative to game require a drawing. In these cases it seems appropriate to provide a statistical advantage of some reasonable amount to state residents. States that charge greater fees to non-residents than residents are essentially selling the resource. This itself is contrary to the spirit of the North American Model, and to me is contrary to an ethical morality.

 

[jessej]

Howdy neighbor

 

[4thefunofit]

Hi there

 

[ElkSurgeon]

United We Stand…..Divided we buy beef

 

[manitou]

You are not paying to hunt federal land as a NR, you are paying to hunt state-owned and managed wildlife. Big difference.
Many NRs hunt private via outfitters, family, and friends. NR tags are not exclusive to federal lands. Much of Wyoming's public lands are state owned.
NRs are offered non-hunting recreational use of federal lands at the same opportunity level and costs as residents.

 

[manitou]

N

That's the problem. They all do. Even though the wildlife is "owned" by everyone in the US, the individual states believe it their right to charge fees for their services which are no greater for non-residents than they are for residents.

Not true. The states own and manage the wildlife.

 

[skipglo]

In as much as state wildlife agencies have received billions of federal dollars in funding over the years, how is it that they can justify charging non-residents (US citizens) exorbitantly greater fees than state residents? Just curious.

To deter you from going to there and shooting the residents game! That's how they justify it. You don't pay the state tax, don't shoot the states game is how they look at it!

 

[skipglo]

I can understand locals feeling this way. Only question I have is....are you and all the other residents willing to pay the exact difference in license/tag costs to supplement the loss from out of state hunters with not one peep of disagreement? I am not fully saying sell to the highest bidder, as they are at the tipping edge of no more for me in cost. Reality is there are another 100 hunters wanting the tag I refuse to pay for.

Probably 1000.

 

[tomsd]

In as much as state wildlife agencies have received billions of federal dollars in funding over the years, how is it that they can justify charging non-residents (US citizens) exorbitantly greater fees than state residents? Just curious.

LOL - just or not - they will keep charging.

 

[Crusty Buck]

In as much as state wildlife agencies have received billions of federal dollars in funding over the years, how is it that they can justify charging non-residents (US citizens) exorbitantly greater fees than state residents? Just curious.

Because the market will bear the price. If enough people stop hunting out of state, the businesses in that state will put the pressure on their wildlife department to relax the fees somewhat.

 

[dls guide]

All states charge non residents more to hunt. If you want to play, you have to pay.

 

[Crusty Buck]

There's no need for justification. They have the animals to sell a lot of states don't. So we pay. If we'd quit paying prices would come down. That ain't gonna happen. I just submitted a request for a Montana tag for around $1200. Resident is probably $30. And I'll b happy if I draw cause I know I'm not getting 1 of the 10 elk tags available in WI. Where's the justification in paying income tax when they can print money out of thin air. Don't look for sane reasoning when it comes to governance. They do cause they can cause we let them.

Yup!

 

[IdahoMatchGrade]

In as much as state wildlife agencies have received billions of federal dollars in funding over the years, how is it that they can justify charging non-residents (US citizens) exorbitantly greater fees than state residents? Just curious.

Idaho's Fish and Game Department (big game management) does not receive any tax dollars and is self-funded except for the occasional grant. If we didn't charge more....a lot more, we'd be overrun with even more californicans. The woods, trails, back roads, ridges and camping spots are already crowded enough. It's madening not being able to find a camping spot anymore. When I was a kid, I rarely saw anyone (70's and 80's). Now, half of the auto plates are either from warshington or californica. I wish the fees were even higher.