Big game licence set aside attempt in Wyoming

[hnter]

The Wyoming Outfitters Association is at it again !!!!!!!
The people and non-resident hunters have seen this before and a few years ago strongly told the G&F they didn't want it to happen.


Oh well, the Board of Outfitters is again lobbing the G&F to get a percentage of the avaliable NR licences set aside for outfitters to sell to big money clients.
These licences WILL come off the top of the draw licences, further making it harder for you to draw. They want Elk, Deer and Antelope set asides.
How do you feel?


Hnter

[M.T. Pockets]

As a non-resident who likes to hunt in Wyoming every two or three years I don't like to see it at all. I remember at first the special license application came out. This raised the non-resident elk license from $410 to $610 with the idea that it would increase the drawing odds for those choosing this option. Well, soon everyone was choosing this option and the odds were the same. So then, the outfitters lobbied to raise the special license to $895 to reduce the applicants and increase odds for their clients. This worked the first year, but I'll bet it will catch up. I suggested to my outfitter to get behind a true preference point system, where points accrue and when you have enough points, it's your turn, keep the license at $410. The outfitters weren't in favor of this because they want the opportunity to book the same clients each year and don't want the rich ones to have to wait. I don't like the outfitter set aside licenses, but as a non-resident I don't have any say. I'd hate to see Wyoming go the way of Arizona, but it looks like it may. I'm glad I went the times I did, I'm getting priced out of the market now. I'll also add that I think residents should get first crack at licenses with a certain percentage set aside for non-residents at a cost of no more than 10 times the cost of a resident license. Won't happen, but I think that would be more fair for both. Not enough money for the states though.

Another thing, when average working guys like me and my buddies get priced out of elk hunting, do organizations like the RMEF still expect us to be members and help them in their cause ? I still will because I've had my chances, but I know a lot of younger hunters will say to heck with it.

[fabsroman]

I am starting to feel this way about hunting in general. When I was younger, my dad, my uncles, my brothers, and I would be able to go hunting without any problem. It didn't cost nearly as much 30 years ago as it does today.

The commercialization of it is utterly amazing. The other day, I was watching a NASCAR show and noticed that Bass Pro Shops sponsors a car. I already knew about Remington.

It just seems as though it is getting tougher and tougher to hunt. I am waining between just paper punching and clay busting, but that would be letting my lab down.

I could go on and on about this subject, but I have a meeting to attend in a couple of minutes.

[gspsonny03]

Money talks and I'm afraid that sooner or later they will get it passed. This is something that we all need to take an interest in and try to get shut down before it gets out of control.

[Hoser99]

Howdy..We in Alberta have a similar system to what your Outfitter Assoc. is lobbying for. I used to outfit in Alberta for bears, moose and deer. At that time outfitters did not have designated "ownership" of areas or tags. Everyone made a good living but some outfitters wanted more. They wanted ownership so they could sell access to this PUBLIC wealth for pocket change. Once they had their allocation it was the same as being granted ownership of public property for a nominal meaningless fee.
What are the outfitters going to offer RESIDENT HUNTERS for the priviledge of making money on a PUBLIC resource? Not much, is my bet. Same ol'..Same ol'!

[indianahick]

Out of state License cost enough the way it is. Outfitters charge so much just to hunt that they are taking the hunter that does not have 5-10,000 dollars or more to go on a hunt out of it.

Nope I am against it.

[hnter]

HO-RAH, It isn't gonna happen this year !!!!! A resounding NO vote was given at the Wy Parks and Recreation meeting tuesday.

Thanks for your votes, they were heard, listened to, and taken to heart. I informed a friend who sits on the committee of your votes and comments. He told others on the commitee about your votes and comments. Those few votes and comments helped defeat the outfitters proposal. Democracy in action!!!!!!
HOOOOO-RAH !!!!!

[gspsonny03]

That Is great news hnter, Thanks for staying on top of it and sharing the info.