Is this true

[DHaffner]

My plan was to hunt Montana this year on an Buck/Bull combo. I applied last year and bought a preference point. With the price increase we opted not to apply. I hope other states pay attention to the fact that they are starting to price the average hunter out of the market.

 

[cowboy]

If you want an example of a good thing to come out of I-161, I would say the outfitting industry got a good wake-up call with I-161. They might be more cooperative in the future, but that could be wishful thinking.

I don't think we need to wait to see if they will become more cooperative. Take a good hard look at what's going on in Helena right now. The precedent has been set - only good news is the legislature doesn't meet next year - I sure hope all hell doesn't break out 2 years from now.

Time will tell. Its a little short-sighted to condemn I-161 already.

Not sure our Game and Fish can handle a couple bad years of less cash flow.

If you were to calculate the days/$$, Montana would be, by far, the cheapest state to hunt. We have long seasons that run concurrently for different species, most of the state can be hunted on a general tag, and we have rut rifle hunts for deer. I still think MT is a pretty good deal for NR hunters./QUOTE]

Your above statement would be true "if" you as a NR could stay and hunt in this State for the whole season. I would bet that the average stay for a NR is 7-10 days including travel.

The outfitters in this State are burning up the phone lines right now contacting everyone they know and making it known that there are excess licenses available - and letting them know that this years combo price will be less than last years.

We may not like what the system was in the past but we also better be realistic on where we sit today. No - I didn't like the so called guaranteed outfitter licenses any more than anyone else did but, it may have opened up pandora's box and we better find a lid for that old box pretty quick.

I hope I am wrong but I think that the fight from the outfitters side has just begun - they have a lot of landowners and legislatures listening to their side of the story.

 

[Goldtip]

I ain't messin with that--even over here. Man has more fans than justin bieber..

Maybe we should do a ratio of arrow in P&Y bulls versus P&Y bulls killed and we will see how many fans he has........... I'm just saying. No wait a minute, maybe I've seen some pic with empty 8-10 arrow quivers.........

 

[mixedbag]

I can tell you I'm pumped for sure.The license cost didn't bother me at all considering its good for deer and elk;+ others.I also think you'll easily sell the rest OTC
After talking with alot of guys, I've decided to hunt the island chains around Helena.I've done alot of research so far, but have alot more to do.Come Sept., my truck won't drive fast enough to get me there.I plan to hunt 10 days of archery and come back for a few days to rifle hunt deer.Think I'll get a wolf tag too if available.I don't think they are where I'm hunting,but I may move down to the SW corner if no luck around Helena.Hopefully, Mt. is like the other states I've hunted and once I'm a mile or 2 back, I'll be all alone to hunt
See you guys in Sept.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Straight Arrow]

Montana news articles this morning indicated that FWP sees no funding reduction over last year for BM and other programs. If the balance of the licenses above the approx 15,800 already sold are sold then there will be more funds available than last year.

However, if Sen Barrett has her way and FWP has to track every wolf in Montana 24/7 then that will cost a boatload of money. I will be relieved when this session is over and she and Sen Brenden go home.

 

[mdunc8]

I'm sorry, but I'm tired of hearing about people being "priced" out of tags. If you can't afford another $270 for a tag than you probably shouldn't be taking a week off from work to drive across the country to shoot an elk. I'm pretty sure the guys claiming they're getting priced out of Montana won't have a problem rounding up $700 to pay for the shoulder mount of the Colorado bull they shoot. If I were a nonresident and had to pay those extra fees, I'd probably be pissed too. I'd probably even go hunt Colorado for a few years out of spite. Just don't say you don't have the money to hunt Montana.

 

[Lawnboy]

Interesting how people will shell out $5 a day for a cup of Joe but quibble over a tag increase. Simple math says your spending more money in 1 month on your hot beverage than the tag increase. This goes for both Res and NR

 

[npaden]

I see it that the outfitters ended up with cheaper guaranteed tags and the joe blow nonresident ended up getting the screws put to them.

Same thing in New Mexico for next year, except their legislature guaranteed 10% of the tags would go to outfitters.

End result is that there is a definite movement by many of the western states to put the screws to the one group that doesn't have the ability to do much about it, the non-guided nonresident hunter.

Colorado seems to almost be moving in the other direction, and Wyoming is very good to non-residents but overall the direction is going to reducing nonresident hunting opportunities IMO.

It isn't that people can't afford to pay the $1,000 for a combo license, they are just choosing to spend their money on something else.

 

[Rat Fink]

I see it that the outfitters ended up with cheaper guaranteed tags and the joe blow nonresident ended up getting the screws put to them.

Same thing in New Mexico for next year, except their legislature guaranteed 10% of the tags would go to outfitters.

End result is that there is a definite movement by many of the western states to put the screws to the one group that doesn't have the ability to do much about it, the non-guided nonresident hunter.

Colorado seems to almost be moving in the other direction, and Wyoming is very good to non-residents but overall the direction is going to reducing nonresident hunting opportunities IMO.

It isn't that people can't afford to pay the $1,000 for a combo license, they are just choosing to spend their money on something else.

How is a fair NR drawing "putting the screws" to anyone? All nonresidents are now equal in acquiring a tag. Too many guys are looking for "affirmative action" type policies for drawing a tag. I don't care if you're a DIY guy or guided. You're a non resident and should be treated equally among your peers with no favoritism.

 

[Khunter]

Interesting how people will shell out $5 a day for a cup of Joe but quibble over a tag increase. Simple math says your spending more money in 1 month on your hot beverage than the tag increase. This goes for both Res and NR

Have you ever tasted $1 coffee!!!!?

 

[Craig S.]

Why don't states like New Mexico & Montana let the MARKET decide how a non-resident wants to hunt?

If 10% of the non-resident hunters want to go guided, then that's what the MARKET supports, if not than the market doesn't. I think it is DISCRIMINATING against a social class to GURANTEE PUBLIC TAGS either way. I understand State's protecting the resident hunters by a draw cap, but as a resident of Arizona I don't have to apply for guided or non... Landowner tags are land owner tags, so do with them what you want, but stay on your private land.

 

[shoots-straight]

Why don't states like New Mexico & Montana let the MARKET decide how a non-resident wants to hunt?

If 10% of the non-resident hunters want to go guided, then that's what the MARKET supports, if not than the market doesn't. I think it is DISCRIMINATING against a social class to GURANTEE PUBLIC TAGS either way. I understand State's protecting the resident hunters by a draw cap, but as a resident of Arizona I don't have to apply for guided or non... Landowner tags are land owner tags, so do with them what you want, but stay on your private land.

I don't know what your hearing? Montana isn't favoring Outfitters right now. It is fair market, with no special outfitter treatment.

We're are going to have to push an Initiative to limit NR combo's to 17000 tags. This legislature is out of control.

 

[Lawnboy]

Have you ever tasted $1 coffee!!!!?

Don't they call that 10w-30

 

[mixedbag]

Why would you have to push to keep tags at 17,000?This whole post is about the fact that they didn't sell out and no drawing was needed.If I lived in Montana, I'd thank every non res. that comes along and keeps my tags so cheap.Its not like my odds are better at killing something coming from 2000 miles away and no scouting trips.The only thing that up's my odds are the work I'm willing to do to get myself deep into elk country,and away from roads.Besides that, I rely on maps and some suggestions from a few people on here and other sites willing to help
I'm hoping I love Montanas hunting since with the new increase, it will make it easier for me to get a tag

 

[Big O]

I'm sorry, but I'm tired of hearing about people being "priced" out of tags. If you can't afford another $270 for a tag than you probably shouldn't be taking a week off from work to drive across the country to shoot an elk. I'm pretty sure the guys claiming they're getting priced out of Montana won't have a problem rounding up $700 to pay for the shoulder mount of the Colorado bull they shoot. If I were a nonresident and had to pay those extra fees, I'd probably be pissed too. I'd probably even go hunt Colorado for a few years out of spite. Just don't say you don't have the money to hunt Montana.

Yep...just a little planning goes along ways. Not a secret fees are due March 15th of EVERY year.

 

[mdunc8]

Why would you have to push to keep tags at 17,000?

I think there's some bills out there to provide another couple thousand nonresident tags. I'm sure someone can clarify if need be.

 

[Ben Lamb]

SB 400 adds 2,000 new tags for NR's in wilderness areas.

HB 387 would create an early bird system, which would allow people to pay a premium to get in on the early draw

HB 361 and HB 285 would create unlimited NR archery tags for (361) the Breaks, and (285) the entire state.

I should have stayed on the river.

 

[Craig S.]

I don't know what your hearing? Montana isn't favoring Outfitters right now. It is fair market, with no special outfitter treatment.

We're are going to have to push an Initiative to limit NR combo's to 17000 tags. This legislature is out of control.

For some reason I thought Montana was... I only read about half of the threads & I am a bit ignorant when it comes to Montana. I just read the other half, some what educated NOW! Thanks for correcting me! Arizona is cheap for a Non-Resident, NOT!

 

[mixedbag]

But whats a couple thousand going to do if they can't sell out what they have now?I'm sure they will OTC.If I could get a sportsman license for what you guys pay,I'd be loving the NR.Not trying to tick you off as I don't know how crowded things get there.Compared to my state that has one of the highest license sales and about 1/4 of the size of Montana;I can't see overcrowding to be an issue at all.And, if it pays for more block management areas then it would seem like a good idea
I may have a different opinion after I return from my archery hunt,but for now it seems like a decent idea,and would keep your costs where they are

 

[mixedbag]

I wouldn't be for your top trophy areas being open to unlimited archery.That would seem to ruin a good thing,and I'd love to draw that tag someday.Doubt I'd want to hunt it much if it was unlimited;probably be a crazy mobscene then
Looks like an aweful alot of initiatives coming up.Why are they trying to change the hunting regs there so much now?