Does MT need SFW to encourage MT F&G to implement better management? Is the great WY management you speak of the major $$$ increase and finger to NR hunters?
SFW is a plague...I wouldn't wish that on any other State, not even Utah.
As to the "major $$$" increase, Wyoming did not increase fees on NR or R in 8 years. They also offer reduced price antlerless permits, reduced price youth permits, that did not change in price with this last "major $$$ increase".
In the last 3 years, the number of elk applicants has increased over 2k+. Leftover tags typically sell out in minutes.
Wyoming and its proper management have created a very good product, quality demands higher fees...and IMO, Wyoming is a good value for the quality as well as quantity of available wildlife. Good chit sells itself.
In the time I've lived in Wyoming, Montana quality and quantity of wildlife has been on a continual decline. I used to worry about drawing a NR big-game combo and beat 60% odds multiple years. The combo tag was right around $650 when I moved to WY in 2000. I believe since then, the price has nearly doubled, quality is in the tank, and you can get the combo tag over the counter. Bad chit doesn't sell...
Montana, which used to be highly sought after, is now a back up, last resort plan for many NR hunters. A place to go where you can hunt if you absolutely don't draw anywhere else.
Sad really, but that's to be expected when a State doubles prices for poorer quality and less game and no management.
Even my cut rate NR OTC deer combo at $306 is of questionable value. I could add an elk tag for another $200 and IMO, the elk tag is NOT worth the additional $200 anymore, and hasn't been for a long time. If not for the fact my family still lives and hunts in MT, I would very likely not even buy a deer tag.
Finally, the only Sportsmen's group in Wyoming, to my knowledge, that opposed this latest "fee increase" in Wyoming is the group that I chair...for the record.
