BuzzH
Well-known member
Just got word from a trusted source that said the commission approved raising NR moose and sheep points to $150 each today.
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That's ridiculous. I'm glad I was smart enough to stay out of that game.
Any whisperings on elk, deer, and antelope?
I'm thinking about giving up on the NR game now that I live in Montana. There's also rumblings out of Colorado that elk licenses are going to see a significant increase soon. I think western states need to consider that they may be killing the goose that laid the golden egg. At some point NRs will get fed up with this BS. And if fewer NRs hunt out west, what do you think that will do to support for public lands?
Not to pick on you, but these comments are pretty common.
When hunters don't show up, this is what happens. As far as I know, there was only ONE group that opposed this whole fee increase package that passed the Wyoming legislature last year. I know the guy that drafted the email and sent it to every member of the WY legislature in an effort to stop it. Not to mention the phone calls and trying to amend the legislation to make it more palatable.
I've said it before, but if the hunting public does not make it a priority to fight for and advocate for their own good, don't be surprised when the world changes around you.
Yeah, I know, hunters don't have the time, they don't have the resources, they don't think they can make a difference, they're too busy, they have family, they need to take the wife on vacation, the kids have soccer camp...heard it all.
Not showing up has consequences and if hunters care about the future, its time to start making the time and showing up...simple as that.
If not, well, get used to being rolled.
I guess you could say I don't have a dog in that fight, because I can hunt my home state. I do have points and I will probably use them soon.(I'm talking elk, deer and antelope points). After that, I'm out.
I would have sent an email in opposition, but I don't recall anyone letting me know this was happening. I don't know if the WY legislature would have cared anyway. It's easy to stick it to the NRs because they aren't your constituents anyway.
None of my frustration is aimed at you Buzz so don't take it that way.
I would be amazed if anything less than a large campaign contribution by a Hunters Political Action Committee (PAC) would have changed the outcome of what was a politically easy way to get more money. Face it, if NR stop applying then residents get another bucket of tags. Sure, some NR will walk or give up on a Top 3 unit and drop down to mid-tier units to burn their points but when you are hiking points 50% and 100% then you can lose 1/3 and 1/2 of applicants and still be even when count the sheep and moose point fees. You still will sell every moose and sheep tag. Heck, is only time until a goat point at $150 is put in effect for the couple or so NR tags. Political contributions pay for the perpetual primary/general election cycle and otherwise takes a huge public outcry to change a politician's vote. Hunters will not see a huge public outcry and if they do it is going to be against them.
I'm thinking about giving up on the NR game now that I live in Montana. There's also rumblings out of Colorado that elk licenses are going to see a significant increase soon. I think western states need to consider that they may be killing the goose that laid the golden egg. At some point NRs will get fed up with this BS. And if fewer NRs hunt out west, what do you think that will do to support for public lands?
That tips the scale for me. I have 7 moose points, but with over 5600 other NR applicants at the same or higher point level and my age, it is not worth it to me to keep holding on to the dream that I may get lucky. I hope Wyoming put the $525 I have already contributed in points to good use. I will continue with deer, elk & antelope as I do enjoy hunting Wyoming and at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with those points.
What a bummer, but it's a smart choice. Honestly, your odds of applying in units with random tags available and skipping the point system all together would probably give you just as good of odds over your lifetime without playing into their scam. And it is a scam. Even the light at the end of the elk, deer, and antelope tunnel is getting dimmer every year for above average hunts.