HB145 - Increase NR license fees

[Trap]

As far as the tag increase goes I would say its just capitalism. They should raise prices until tags quit selling out completely. I blame the social media influencers and outfits like huntn fool . They over publicized western hunting and built business models on getting every hunter in the nation to apply, apply, apply. The result is demand way exceeds supply in western hunting. In the time it took to type this there has probably been 5 podcasts on how and why to apply in montana ha ha. Dont get mad at the fish and game its the people who are building businesses exploiting western big game hunting. The fish and game should raise nr prices until supply eqauls demand. It sucks that it will price the average hunter out but it is capitalism. Bitch to your favorite social media influencer or tag draw service not game departments. Arguments over cheap resident tags are pretty meaningless in my opinion. Most resident hunters in western states would gladly pay more if it reduced the number if nr tags. Its the demand for nr tags thats creating the price inflation. I get 3 e-mails a day on what draws i need to put in for. And I DONT suscribe to any tag draw services. Too many people trying to make money using the same business model which exploits western hunting. Too many non resident hunters chasing too few tags eqauls inflation

 

[Forkyfinder]

The result is demand way Most resident hunters in western states would gladly pay more if it reduced the number if nr tags.

How did you define most?

 

[Trap]

How did you define most?

Most of the residents I know. I feel like thats a pretty scientific sample size. Also , at least in Idaho, residents were in a race to buy non resident tags at non resident prices for second tags. So they obviously are not scared of high prices to hunt their home state.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Most of the residents I know. I feel like thats a pretty scientific sample size. Also , at least in Idaho, residents were in a race to buy non resident tags at non resident prices for second tags. So they obviously are not scared of high prices to hunt their home state.

Your tags, while cheap, are significantly more expensive than MT resident license fees on a % basis. And MT resident hunters have clearly resisted raising the fees, so I guess the proof is in the puddin.

Sounds like this thing is headed to GG for signing?

 

[ismith]

NRs can pound sand if they don’t like what Montanans pay for their hunting licenses.

 

[Forkyfinder]

While this doesnt hurt my feelings - its about time that it cost me barely 3 figures to apply for every huntable species in MT....

 

[BrentD]

NRs can pound sand if they don’t like what Montanans pay for their hunting licenses.

While they hunt on MY land.

 

[Forkyfinder]

While they hunt on MY land.

Your .10 acre share doesnt get enough for a LO tag

 

[BrentD]

Your .10 acre share doesnt get enough for a LO tag

But it is enough to make me question if I should be happy granting trespass rights. Think about that before you get too gleeful.

 

[Nick87]

While they hunt on MY land.

Without permission? Call the cops.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Non-res can thank our govenor .

Governor favors nonresidents over residents | Greg Munther

Opinion: Gianforte is asking for amendments to HB 145, a simple bill that would have raised the nonresident base hunting license rates from a measly $15 to a reasonable $100

www.montanarightnow.com

 

[SAJ-99]

Non-res can thank our govenor .

Governor favors nonresidents over residents | Greg Munther

Opinion: Gianforte is asking for amendments to HB 145, a simple bill that would have raised the nonresident base hunting license rates from a measly $15 to a reasonable $100

www.montanarightnow.com

The resident license costs less than the average person spends at McDonalds for a value meal. The author needs to gain some perspective.

 

[kwyeewyk]

It is a little surprising that outfitters would be opposed, seems like one more way to get more tags to people willing/able to pay more.

 

[Forkyfinder]

The resident license costs less than the average person spends at McDonalds for a value meal. The author needs to gain some perspective.

Thats a seperate issue - that i agree with you on. It shouldnt cost less than an expensive box of ammo to shoot every animal youre able to in MT.

However, its about the going rate:

"Asking nonresidents to pay $85 more is entirely reasonable, especially when comparing that to neighboring Idaho ($185), Utah ($144), or Oregon ($160)"

 

[SAJ-99]

Thats a seperate issue - that i agree with you on. It shouldnt cost less than an expensive box of ammo to shoot every animal youre able to in MT.

However, its about the going rate:

"Asking nonresidents to pay $85 more is entirely reasonable, especially when comparing that to neighboring Idaho ($185), Utah ($144), or Oregon ($160)"

True, but it is hard to compare the states. To a lot of NRs, the license is the cost of applying. ID and MT for example : ID $185 for the hunting license and $350 for the deer tag. MT charges $15 and then $744 for the deer tag. ID doesn't have points, MT has both pref and bonus depending on how and what you want to apply for. Someone else would need to breakdown the cost for an upland hunter, but there is an upland license too. I'm not sure what the base hunting license allows a NR to hunt...raccoons and prairie dogs?

Simply put, it is disingenuous to argue that MT isn't screwing NR's hard enough. And the author argued that the bill and resulting money would be spent on block management, which residents benefit from too (probably more than NRs). I don't want to go all Treeshark here, but FFS, Montanans need to stop being so cheap. Look at the budget and you see NRs are basically the sugar daddy. This goes directly to mule deer and big game issues. You want fewer NRs? Pay your own bills.

Sorry, Forkyfinder, not really directed at you.

 

[Forkyfinder]

True, but it is hard to compare the states. To a lot of NRs, the license is the cost of applying. ID and MT for example : ID $185 for the hunting license and $350 for the deer tag. MT charges $15 and then $744 for the deer tag. ID doesn't have points, MT has both pref and bonus depending on how and what you want to apply for. Someone else would need to breakdown the cost for an upland hunter, but there is an upland license too. I'm not sure what the base hunting license allows a NR to hunt...raccoons and prairie dogs?

Simply put, it is disingenuous to argue that MT isn't screwing NR's hard enough. And the author argued that the bill and resulting money would be spent on block management, which residents benefit from too (probably more than NRs). I don't want to go all Treeshark here, but FFS, Montanans need to stop being so cheap. Look at the budget and you see NRs are basically the sugar daddy. This goes directly to mule deer and big game issues. You want fewer NRs? Pay your own bills.

Sorry, Forkyfinder, not really directed at you.

Nothing wrong with wanting increases for both - with more (as a percentage) on R.

 

[Elky Welky]

I don't want to go all Treeshark here

Good caveat @SAJ-99.

I wouldn't be so quick to criticize Greg Munther for not having the right perspective, though. He's forgotten more about fighting for conservation in Montana than most of us will ever know.

 

[ismith]

I don't want to go all Treeshark here, but FFS, Montanans need to stop being so cheap. Look at the budget and you see NRs are basically the sugar daddy.

You just went all @Treeshark, FFS.

 

[SAJ-99]

Good caveat @SAJ-99.

I wouldn't be so quick to criticize Greg Munther for not having the right perspective, though. He's forgotten more about fighting for conservation in Montana than most of us will ever know.

Probably true, but this wasn't the best opinion piece. I'm guessing he meant it as an Anti-GG post, and I am fully on board that train. But the complaining by MT about NRs and money is getting old. The solution is obvious.

The WA DFW is facing budget cuts because of the fiscal deficit. The first thing proposed was a bill to increase license cost for Rs, and I am all for it. Even if it comes with a projected 10% decrease in sales.

"Under the bill, which would take effect July 1 if Ferguson signs it, a combination fishing license would increase from $45.50 to $62.79. A big game deer and elk hunting license would go from $75 to $103.50."

 

[Forkyfinder]

Probably true, but this wasn't the best opinion piece. I'm guessing he meant it as an Anti-GG post, and I am fully on board that train.

Mostly. I think its sort of unbecoming to veto bills with good backing from both chambers, and parties, of a legislatute.