Floating an idea, don't kill the messenger

[44hunter45]

It has long been a concern (at least to me) that "non-consumptive" users to not pay their way in terms of the use of the Federal public lands. Many states too.
Whereas P-R and D-J funds from hunters, shooters, boaters, and fisherman fund a lot; hikers, bikers, snowmobilers, et. al. do not contribute.

Efforts to create a "backpack" excise tax have been killed by the industry lobby time and again. How do we get everyone contributing? Why should we pay the rent for the freeloaders?

I have heard of some non-consumptives who do buy a duck stamp, but it is not required.

Since all entrants to National Park and USFWS managed lands pay access fees, I wonder about the idea that USFS and BLM institute a permit or stamp based system for access to their lands. Would hunters pay $10-$25 per year for a USFS or BLM access stamp? Could PR and DJ payer somehow be exempted. (In Idaho, hunting license holders are free to access IDL managed lands.)

Many if us pay for access to State or Corporate lands. Would there be social acceptance of a permit system for Federal lands access?

I understand this is in some ways a double impact on those who are already paying excise taxes. I realize that compliance would be as bad or worse than Duck Stamp purchase for USFWS land.

Both P-R and D-J were started first within the sporting community before the became law. Is there enough grass to get the attention of Federal Land Managers or Congress for this.

There earmarked revenue potential from this could be quite high.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I am not on board for ANYONE paying any more than what we already do. I feel that we are ALL being taken to the cleaners by the government as it currently stands.

More permits and taxes and more fee's is just more government tyranny that NONE of us need (or should want) in our lives and it does nothing but create division and animosity amongst groups of people. Besides, your kidding yourself if you think they will use the money for what it was intended for instead of just pi$$ing that money away with pet projects/secret backdoor programs.

Now, if you want to fight for LESS Permits and LESS government involvement in our lives, most of us can get on board with that. Give the government an inch and they take a mile and they wont give $hit back to you.

 

[Greybeard]

He who pays the fiddler calls the tune. It helps that we are the ones paying the fiddler.

 

[Bob-WY]

Better ootion would be extend what PR civers to those other groups. Might be an rasier move than a new tax or fee.