This is not a good bill at all.
We need to raise resident prices $10 across the board as well as raise NR prices.
Wyoming's at $1,321 for a "special" general elk tag and Montanas over $1,000.
Elk:
NM - $773
AZ - $665
CO - $661
Outside of Regions G and H, there is not a better general mule deer tag in the United States. Outside of 2 elk tags (MT archery/WY wilderness units),
there is likely not a better general elk tag in the country than our "A" tag. In terms of horn quality, numbers and overall solitude/experience.
The crowding is not what everyone says it is. If you hunt 39 the last week of October or if you hunt 43, yes, you will see hundreds of hunters and it will be a zoo.
Those units lie next to a valley with almost 800,000 people. 2 of the zip codes in that valley are the fastest growing zip codes
in the country. Probably similar to the wasatch.
If you hunt in the Frank within a half mile of the air strips, yes, it will be a shit show.
If you are a competent hunter, like many people on this board, getting away from people simply is not difficult. I saw 1 other guy in 3 days of rifle elk hunting this year, in a unit within
2 hours of Boise. In a unit that has been a general tag for over 75 years.
If some of the slayers on this board that I know are competent (Greenhorn, Kaitum, Big Fin, Randy 11, snowymountaineer, etc) lived here, within 5 years time I'd bet my retirement that they would have
spots that hold 170+ bucks and 310+ bulls, with tags you can LITERALLY (not figuratively) buy at the gas station today. Where you only see 2-3 other guys in a 4 day hunt.
Until we do a better job at catering to non-residents, we will continue to be the brokest F&G agency in the west. NR quotas need to stay the same. It is low enough at 10%.
Residents and NR fees here need to be raised as well, to competitive prices in line with neighboring states.