And Utah says, Hold my Beer!

[dan.kirkpatrick]

it would be nice to know what the future prices will be ,,,seems like were always going backwards every day,,happy to get a 6% wage raise,,,but cant even keep up with these %100 tag increases,,let alone just a dozen eggs from the store at$8 a reasonable price increase within reason isnt the issue,,,its getting fleeced?gouged at these %100 increases thats bad.im in w 15 years of building points,but if they raise it to there max limits itll force alot of people out including me at some point.

 

[mdhunter]

So…if non resident license costs are simply “supply and demand”, what is to keep the people setting the license cost from ultimately doing the same for residents?

It’s really no difference than any other tax. Everyone supports a tax increase that isn’t on them.

 

[Wildabeest]

So…if non resident license costs are simply “supply and demand”, what is to keep the people setting the license cost from ultimately doing the same for residents?

They vote.

 

[CPAjeff]

The way I read that, they aren't required to increase the fees. I'm sure they likely will, but maybe there's some hope that they hold off at least a couple of years.

You’re correct.

However, if anyone is gullible enough to believe that the powers that be care about the NR hunters, heck even the R hunters, I’ve got some oceanfront property in Arizona I’d like to sale.

 

[Khunter]

it would be nice to know what the future prices will be ,,,seems like were always going backwards every day,,happy to get a 6% wage raise,,,but cant even keep up with these %100 tag increases,,let alone just a dozen eggs from the store at$8 a reasonable price increase within reason isnt the issue,,,its getting fleeced?gouged at these %100 increases thats bad.im in w 15 years of building points,but if they raise it to there max limits itll force alot of people out including me at some point.

Only15 years? give up rookie you are way way behinfpd never to catch up, sadly.

 

[mdhunter]

They vote.

That’s my point. When the non hunters realize that the tag demand is unlimited, for residents and non residents, how long before the majority of non hunters pressure for more state revenue to come from the hunter minority? It’s human natures never ending love of a tax on the other guy.

 

[Dave N]

That’s my point. When the non hunters realize that the tag demand is unlimited, for residents and non residents, how long before the majority of non hunters pressure for more state revenue to come from the hunter minority? It’s human natures never ending love of a tax on the other guy.

Not sure that would be much of an issue. Probably more people want to stop hunting than people who actually know about the revenue created by it.

 

[Wildabeest]

That’s my point. When the non hunters realize that the tag demand is unlimited, for residents and non residents, how long before the majority of non hunters pressure for more state revenue to come from the hunter minority? It’s human natures never ending love of a tax on the other guy.

That might be the attitude in Maryland, but I don’t see that happening in the west.

 

[Caseknife]

Directly from Utah DWR

Nonresident license fee increases, WMA access changes and other wildlife-related laws passed during the 2025 legislative session

There were several bills related to wildlife management that were signed into law this legislative session. Here are just a few to be aware of.

wildlife.utah.gov

 

[Wildabeest]

Directly from Utah DWR

Nonresident license fee increases, WMA access changes and other wildlife-related laws passed during the 2025 legislative session

There were several bills related to wildlife management that were signed into law this legislative session. Here are just a few to be aware of.

wildlife.utah.gov

“Not double”, but darn close. Gotta love how they spin it. “We didn’t increase them as much as the legislation allowed”. Let’s see if they actually use that money to procure private land “for the benefit of wildlife”.

 

[caddiscrazy]

Talked to a buddy this week with a dozen points in Utah that says he isn’t playing the game anymore. Too rich for his blood

 

[WapitiBob]

Utah is too expensive at $1950 but people line up to pay $2100 in WY.

 

[brymoore]

I didn’t see the trophy tag fees mentioned. Any ideas?

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Utah is too expensive at $1950 but people line up to pay $2100 in WY.

Took me 3 points in ‘18 and 4 pts in ‘23 in WY. Little different @ $50/year for single digit number of years than more $ for decades.

 

[seeth07]

I went into Utah with a game plan for both a deer and elk hunt at around the 10 point mark and creep hasn't impacted those hunts much. Getting close to that here soon and based on the app costs so far, it seems like a heck of a deal in app costs to get there compared to most other states. This increase just puts it on par. The actual tag cost however, oufda

 

[cgasner1]

Utah is too expensive at $1950 but people line up to pay $2100 in WY.

They also know they will get a tag. The odds in Utah are so steep and deep you may send them a few grand and never have a reason to cross state lines.

 

[whatnot]

If they're checking out, that's their choice. Let them go.

I also agree that hunters are a shrinking group, in particular those that care more about wildlife and public lands beyond running a bullet or hook through an animal. But, that's always been the case.

Also why I'm more inclined to engage with hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, campers, hell even atv groups to advocate for public lands. They find value in public lands, more so than hunters/fisherman these days. I don't feel like the exposure to hunting and trying to increase awareness to sportsmen/women has worked at all. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

It's created angst, feelings of NR entitlements to wildlife that isn't theirs, etc. etc.

Time to move a different direction and why I've changed my position regarding NR opportunity. I used to wrongly believe if more NR hunters got to experience public land hunting we would gain advocates. That didn't work, it just turned into entitlement.

So, I switched to favoring resident opportunity because they are the most passionate about hunting AND public lands both. I think combining increased resident opportunity AND finding new public land advocates that don't even hunt and fish is the best path forward.

IMO/E, giving more and more opportunity away to NR's has been a horrible return on investment in regard to creating advocates.

Some may disagree, but the faces never change for those actually in the trenches doing the work.

Perhaps we could suggest..... a backpack tax and allow them to contribute to their love? I mean, I'm sure they will all jump on board

 

[whatnot]

Roughly 60,000 dudes showed up to hand $fw a record amount, for zero odds tags, then went home to bitch about "money in hunting".

Then they'll hand gohunt, eastmans, elk 101, or dozens of paywall sites to tell them them nothing new. Then they will finance all their exploits on a Visa @15% interest, and roll on down I-15 in a $50,000+ truck pulling a $30,000 rzr to utah, wearing $500 boots, and $2000 clothing "systems" to shoot $3000 rifles.

All complaining all day about "money in hunting".

Shocking that any state G&F have noticed

 

[WapitiBob]

They also know they will get a tag. The odds in Utah are so steep and deep you may send them a few grand and never have a reason to cross state lines.

I'll draw my 2nd UT early Elk tag in the next 5 years or less. Starting today I'd have to look at it; less money to apply than NM and I get points but way behind the 8 ball.

 

[BuzzH]

Perhaps we could suggest..... a backpack tax and allow them to contribute to their love? I mean, I'm sure they will all jump on board

Get after it...I'll raise my hand in support.