I think resident anger towards NRs continues to be misplaced. The level of NR elk tags has been capped. WY residents are guaranteed a deer and elk tag. Most get several every year. So your ability to draw a tag has been impacted by game and resident populations, not NR participation. That is why the aggressive push against NR’s comes off as greed. Pushing higher prices just privatizes wildlife by excluding those with less disposable income. I’m not arguing a state’s ability to make changes, just the motive and whether they are fixing anything. The way you treat guest says a lot about you. Especially guest that have shown your state loyalty by investing lots of money. I especially think it is a problem when you change the rules in a way that effectively eliminates someone’s chance after waiting years, i.e. MGS. If a change is necessary, it should be balanced and consider the NR stakeholders. For example, a move to weighted bonus points or straight bonus points would have provided something to those whose MSG chances are now zero. Or, a move to random with a 5 year bonus point transition. These changes can be made thoughtfully or states can just pull a bait and switch. Why would someone join or support an organization that is so aggressively ain’t non-resident. I care deeply about western game despite being on the east coast, but I know a few organizations I no longer want to support.
Non Residents are guaranteed tags for deer and elk in Wyoming as well, so what are you complaining about? Up until last week you could have bought 3 elk tags OTC. If you aren't hunting here every year, that's a YOU problem.
Goat tags in WY have always been random, so you've lost zero in investment there. With how few goat tags Wyoming issues, it should probably be a resident only deal anyway.
As to the point system, apparently, you've never been involved in trying to get a commission or a legislature to understand how those work. Again, some help during the task force and subsequent legislative session would have been handy.
I worked closely with Sy Gilliland to try to implement a 50-50 split between preference and random for both R and NR moose and sheep tags. It was pretty lonely, with just Sy and I trying to get the Legislature to change the proposed bonus point legislation.
That was a real POS bill that would have just made everything a squared bonus point system. That would have benefited just about nobody other than the Johnie-come-latelys. That would have been a real slap in the face, to how did you say it? "guests that have shown loyalty by investing in your state".
The best solution to do EXACTLY what you stated, show loyalty while still considering everyone, was our proposal. Like I said, 50-50 split preference/random. Perfect? Far from it, but it was the only thing to do that would have considered all the applicants.
So, again, where were you? Pretty sure I posted all the pertinent information, and as per usual, lots of whining and complaining but very little support. It was pretty much Sy and myself that killed that crap legislation.
In the end, the legislation as proposed, squared bonus point bill, was killed by a handful of us. IMO, because it surely did NOT consider everyone. For the record, killing that legislation did me absolutely ZERO good as I was already lifed out of moose and sheep. Not sure why I even bothered to waste my time trying to do what was fair to everyone. All that does is make me the bad guy for trying to make things tolerable. The people in support of squared bonus points and those that made the proposal hate my guts over killing it, those that now barely have a chance at a random tag, they hate me too. Its a no-win for those that are active, catching chit from every angle is the only thanks you get.
Frankly, if all these issues were just about me, I'd cut a deal with Sy and go 90-5-5, push for transferable tags, and champion every fee increase that hit the legislature. I'm in a position that the money is not an issue for me anymore, I can hunt everywhere I want, afford to buy transferable/landowner tags, etc.
So, while you think many of us Residents don't do enough for you as a NR, I'd suggest that is far from anywhere close to reality. Seen it, done it, alongside a small handful of Residents.
Don't forget, wasn't but a few short years ago WOGA was pushing for a 60-40 split Special/Regular fee for deer, elk, and pronghorn. Think that would have had an impact if it passed? You're welcome.
