HB145 - Increase NR license fees

[samuel_284Win]

Montana legislators propose raising nonresident hunting base fee by more than 500%

Three Montana legislators have drafted a bill that would raise nonresident base hunting fees by more than 500%.

www.montanaoutdoor.com

Tag on another $85 to an already very high price to hunt deer or elk in MT is kind of inconsequential in the big scheme of things. It's that MT residents pay $20 for an elk tag and $16 for a deer tag compared to NR being in for near $1300 for a general elk tag with pref points in comparison that makes this a bit ridiculous. If hunting is so important to so many MT residents maybe they should value it at more than meal at chipotle. I tend to take the side of resident preference on a lot of issues NRs complain about but shit like this gets my hackles up for some reason. I agree that MT residents should fight to get it back to limiting NR tags to whats in the statute without all the cutouts. Stuff like this is kind of pathetic though.

CO resident elk tag: $66
NM resident elk tag: $60
Wy resident elk tag: $57
ID: $36.75
AZ: $148
NV: $120
MT: Chipotle Burrito with guac, side of chips, large coke.

As a Montana resident, I think we pay too little for a general elk and deer tag given just the value of being able to put 150-200 lb of meat in your freezer with one elk. I say move it to $60 for elk. It would be about equal to CO, NM, WY on average.

 

[samuel_284Win]

In addition, I understand that each state's responsibility is to its own residents (as @Big Fin has pointed out on multiple occasions). However, when my annual elk and deer tag is the cheapest thing I need to go hunting it kinda seems wrong...? When was the last time resident elk/deer tag prices were increased in MT?

 

[Pierre]

Hi Jock,

Perhaps read the rest of the thread before attacking my character, yet again.

Beware of lobbyists claiming to be resident sportsmen and wildlife friendly. Many are untrustworthy! Check out the article in Mont Current!

 

[Deleted member 53219]

I think this is a very valid question. The nature of my job before retirement was to also look at the potential corner cases/worse-case scenarios to see how brittle an "architecture" was. In this case, I would hypothesize the following:

NR fees continue to rise to the point that only NR hunters with wealth can afford to have access to a public resource outside of the state residents. As it applies to federal lands, that leaves a large population of average NRs paying for management of a public resource (via federal taxes) to which they have effectively no access to use. It becomes very easy then for that segment to demand that wildlife resources on Federal lands are subject to Federal hunting management and hunting permits/licenses become a nationalized affair vs a state affair. They can then argue that Federal tags are equal cost whether resident or NR to fairly share the management cost burden. Given the far larger population of those states east of the Mississippi, and the associated political representation that goes with it, western states may find themselves subject to a "democratic" decision they really don't want. There is a parallel discussion around landowners monetizing a public resource via landowner preference programs, hunting access programs tied to set-aside tags, etc. But in effect, States are doing the same thing relative to NR hunters with a resource that should be available to all of the public.

Is this scenario at the extreme? For now, yes (possibly). But for how long? When a public resource is only really accessible by the very wealthy, it is far easier to argue that if only the rich can do it, it's time to take that away from everyone.

Honest debate and criticisms always welcome.

Yeah not worried about this thanks though

 

[BrentD]

Yeah not worried about this thanks though

You really should be.

 

[brockel]

I think Idaho was. I fondly remember that period. Those were the good old days

Also before onx and most all of the YouTube hunting shows.

 

[DFS]

Bill would raise nonresident base license to boost hunter access funding

Will a proposed fee hike for nonresident hunters boost public access—or drive them away? Read more from Brett French…

www.montanaoutdoor.com

 

[406elkaholic]

NR’s have a grossly outsized role in MT’s wildlife management. Shrinking R’s financial stake in the budget is their own loss, which is perhaps the true intent of the bill. Legislature is already beholden to NR landowners and outfitter clients.

While 1,300 is getting ridiculous for a general elk license, the elk are a montana resource and residents pay their fair share in property taxes and what not. With that

Montana legislators propose raising nonresident hunting base fee by more than 500%

Three Montana legislators have drafted a bill that would raise nonresident base hunting fees by more than 500%.

www.montanaoutdoor.com

Tag on another $85 to an already very high price to hunt deer or elk in MT is kind of inconsequential in the big scheme of things. It's that MT residents pay $20 for an elk tag and $16 for a deer tag compared to NR being in for near $1300 for a general elk tag with pref points in comparison that makes this a bit ridiculous. If hunting is so important to so many MT residents maybe they should value it at more than meal at chipotle. I tend to take the side of resident preference on a lot of issues NRs complain about but shit like this gets my hackles up for some reason. I agree that MT residents should fight to get it back to limiting NR tags to whats in the statute without all the cutouts. Stuff like this is kind of pathetic though.

CO resident elk tag: $66
NM resident elk tag: $60
Wy resident elk tag: $57
ID: $36.75
AZ: $148
NV: $120
MT: Chipotle Burrito with guac, side of chips, large coke.

I drew LE last year finally so that’s done with until now when I haven’t start over lol . Just deer combo and an elk point for me this year

You are why they keep raising prices, you complain on here about paying 1500 and say you Will look elsewhere and then 2 posts later mention that you're buying PP and deer combo this year.... they don't care what us residents think, start complaining to FWP if you haven't already.

 

[406elkaholic]

While 1,300 is getting ridiculous for a general elk license, the elk are a montana resource and residents pay their fair share in property taxes and what not. With that



You are why they keep raising prices, you complain on here about paying 1500 and say you Will look elsewhere and then 2 posts later mention that you're buying PP and deer combo this year.... they don't care what us residents think, start complaining to FWP if you haven't already.

I feel for you guys but it's also comical how many people on here complain about how expensive it is to hunt in montana and how the quality of hunting sucks... and they keep coming back!!! Isn't that the definition of insanity

 

[406elkaholic]

How generous. LMFAO

I pay that much for a small game license in a couple states just to get a preference point.

You don't think a resident paying 100$ for a deer is generous enough compared to what we pay now?

 

[cgasner1]

You don't think a resident paying 100$ for a deer is generous enough compared to what we pay now?

What state are you in? I can kill at least 2 elk and 3 if not 4 deer for 100 bucks as a resident in mt

 

[406elkaholic]

What state are you in? I can kill at least 2 elk and 3 if not 4 deer for 100 bucks as a resident in mt

Yea no shit. The guy said he would be willing to increase resident price to 100$ and the other guy laughed as if that wasn't generous enough... I was saying that would be more then generous enough if that's what it was raised to. Thanks for your input

 

[406elkaholic]

What state are you in? I can kill at least 2 elk and 3 if not 4 deer for 100 bucks as a resident in mt

I said "compared to what we pay now" idk how you messed up what I said

 

[cgasner1]

Yea no shit. The guy said he would be willing to increase resident price to 100$ and the other guy laughed as if that wasn't generous enough... I was saying that would be more then generous enough if that's what it was raised to. Thanks for your input

Sorry I started reading the conversation at where you quoted yourself and got confused. 60 bucks for a deer tag would still be less than a tank of gas. Also leaves me with 40 for beer

 

[Wind Gypsy]

While 1,300 is getting ridiculous for a general elk license, the elk are a montana resource and residents pay their fair share in property taxes and what not. With that

Property taxes dont fund much of anything for wildlife far as I know but I dont necessarily disagree with most of your other points. I don't anticipate ponying up for a general license anytime soon. Maybe once I get enough Bonus points to be very high odds for a LE elk tag i'll play again and avoid having to take a haircut returning a general tag.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Lol the uproar on facebook is pretty pathetic.

Alright NR of HT - you were right. These people act as if they need a gofundme to buy a tag if its not less than a good box of ammo.

 

[Mallardsx2]

You don't think a resident paying 100$ for a deer is generous enough compared to what we pay now?

I pay $754 to hunt deer there...I don't know what you're bitching about.

 

[El Jason]

Lol the uproar on facebook is pretty pathetic.

Alright NR of HT - you were right. These people act as if they need a gofundme to buy a tag if its not less than a good box of ammo.

Told you (not in a gloating way). It’s sad.

 

[406elkaholic]

Property taxes dont fund much of anything for wildlife far as I know but I dont necessarily disagree with most of your other points. I don't anticipate ponying up for a general license anytime soon. Maybe once I get enough Bonus points to be very high odds for a LE elk tag i'll play again and avoid having to take a haircut returning a general tag.

Doesn't have much to do with wildlife, just meant residents pay our fair share in other places to be able to enjoy our resources. But I'm certainly not against paying more as a resident to a certain point of course. except the fact I know they won't spend my money properly just like the feds

 

[406elkaholic]

I pay $754 to hunt deer there...I don't know what you're bitching about.

Is that a choice? Nobody is forcing you to hunt here buddy. But don't tell a resident that he isn't being generous enough offering to pay 100$ for a deer when we currently pay like 10$ . It's a privilege that you get to hunt in montana not a right..