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Thin the herd!

“I just want to say before I get jumped in the parking lot outside of this hearing, we are absolutely 100% as outfitters, guides and residents in support of great data … that leads to really good decisions when it comes to the future development of bills,” said Will Israel, executive director of MOGA, the sole person to speak in partial opposition to the resolution.

Although acknowledging a “tremendous amount” of hunting pressure, Israel said outfitters are not the issue. He also noted nonresidents spend money that supports rural communities and the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. He wants these issues taken into consideration if any bills come out of the study, should the resolution pass.

“Limits on licenses, permits and tags have a devastating impact on this industry,” Israel said. “We would generally be in opposition to any kind of restrictions, limitations, permits, things of that nature, that would have a negative impact. Please help to protect the industry as you’re moving forward.”
 
I’m on the edge of my seat awaiting the data from this ground-breaking study. I predict the following findings:

-Nonresidents should hunt in Montana LESS.

-Nonresidents should pay MORE.

-Residents should pay the same or less.

-Nonresidents should continue to pay for the bulk of Block Management and the management of the vast majority of all public lands within the state.

-We all should unite to continue to fight for our federally owned public lands in Montana.
 
Sadly, Treeshark's prediction is likely accurate.

As a lifelong Montana resident hunter I may be an anomaly, but I do not think NRs should hunt in Montana less, nor do I think NRs should pay more. I do think residents should pay more as our hunting and fishing licenses are inexpensive to the point of shame.
The NR money is essential in supporting the programs in Montana as we are a low population "welfare state".
We all should unite to continue to fight for our federally owned public lands in Montana.
Yes, as well as for public lands everywhere. They belong to all Americans as a unique valuable assett relative to the rest of the world, whether one sets foot on them or not!

A recently encountered seventy-some year old newly retired dude on horseback in the Bob illustrated the point well. He told me his pack trip into the wilderness was a bucket list adventure for him and that he will be back on foot. His family back in Virginia likely will never visit the Bob, but they know about it and appreciate that it's theirs.
 
True, but that value increases proportionally based on the amount that an individual personally uses them.
Personally, 'don't believe anyone values them more than my family. However, "They belong to all Americans as a unique valuable assett... " and that is an American value of much higher order ... whether personally used or not. Just as an American, I highly value Acadia National Park in Maine, although likely will never see it. It remains a unique American assett.
 
Okay! You're right; I'm wrong. 'Wore out. Back 'n forth with Treeshark is like being in a shark tank! :LOL:

I’m sorry that we focused on the small thing we may disagree a bit on, it sounds like we have more on this subject we do agree on.

My point is that it’s probably not abnormal for people to have a greater connection to lands they use and enjoy than to those they don’t.
 
My point is that it’s probably not abnormal for people to have a greater connection to lands they use and enjoy than to those they don’t.

The calculus varies for everyone in sure, but I love that I can sit, look at a map and formulate a list of "blanks spots on a map" that i'd like to see. That curiosity is fueled by my connections to land that I've been to. Because if that place I "use" gives me great joy, what else is out there?
 
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I’m on the edge of my seat awaiting the data from this ground-breaking study. I predict the following findings:

-Nonresidents should hunt in Montana LESS.

-Nonresidents should pay MORE.

-Residents should pay the same or less.

-Nonresidents should continue to pay for the bulk of Block Management and the management of the vast majority of all public lands within the state.

-We all should unite to continue to fight for our federally owned public lands in Montana.

I'm not complaining that as a MT NR my yearly OTC tags pay for management and access in Montana.

Why so grumpy about it?

I also think we should all unite for our public lands in Montana.
 
Sure, I do too. But not as much as the spots we personally use and enjoy.

I value the places I will never see equally as much, if not more, in some ways. I like the fact that our public land assets are so large that I'll die leaving much of it unexplored by me personally.

It would be as tragic as it is sad, that we could visit all our public lands in even a lifetime.
 
I’m on the edge of my seat awaiting the data from this ground-breaking study. I predict the following findings:

-Nonresidents should hunt in Montana LESS.

-Nonresidents should pay MORE.

-Residents should pay the same or less.

-Nonresidents should continue to pay for the bulk of Block Management and the management of the vast majority of all public lands within the state.

-We all should unite to continue to fight for our federally owned public lands in Montana.
Just being solutions oriented - we could probably put out all the forest fires from your crying?
 
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