WY preference point increase

[Addicting]

Bittersweet. But when you look around I cant help but think how many people it wouldn't take much to knock over the house of cards theyve built.

At today’s high fuel prices the wolves are huffing and puffing with gubmnt backed gusto.

 

[brymoore]

Bittersweet. But when you look around I cant help but think how many people it wouldn't take much to knock over the house of cards theyve built.

The Great Recession cleaned the deck. Some residents had trouble affording to hunt. IDFG was selling left over NR tags at 50% off and had tags leftover.

I don’t want another recession but I saw the economic effect on hunting.

 

[seeth07]

It may not even take a full blown recession for the impacts to possibly start hitting. Factors such as cost of living, wage raises not matching inflation, real estate prices, fuel prices, tax increases, NR fee increases and I'm sure many others are for sure starting to have their impact on the draws as participation metrics have seemed to level out in some draws rather than the steady increase that has happened over the last decade.

I know more people personally in my life that have dropped out of western hunting rather than jump in over the last two years. Anyone that has asked me about jumping in has rethought it after reviewing and seeing the costs associated with it.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I know more people personally in my life that have dropped out of western hunting rather than jump in over the last two years. Anyone that has asked me about jumping in has rethought it after reviewing and seeing the costs associated with it.

I too know a BUNCH of people who have dropped out after 2-5 years. Even my wife's uncle dropped out after 6 years. He said that he just wasn't paying those fees. Which is very telling because he has the money to burn....

Once our points are torched, we will also be done until we gain residency.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I decided the WY bison fee is something out of my budget.

Talked to a WYG&F bio yesterday who was telling me how awful he felt about the non-res prices. I reminded him I was from Montana, where we specialize in bending non resident hunters over.

 

[BuzzH]

It may not even take a full blown recession for the impacts to possibly start hitting. Factors such as cost of living, wage raises not matching inflation, real estate prices, fuel prices, tax increases, NR fee increases and I'm sure many others are for sure starting to have their impact on the draws as participation metrics have seemed to level out in some draws rather than the steady increase that has happened over the last decade.

I know more people personally in my life that have dropped out of western hunting rather than jump in over the last two years. Anyone that has asked me about jumping in has rethought it after reviewing and seeing the costs associated with it.

We must hang around different types of hunters.

 

[88man]

It may not even take a full blown recession for the impacts to possibly start hitting. Factors such as cost of living, wage raises not matching inflation, real estate prices, fuel prices, tax increases, NR fee increases and I'm sure many others are for sure starting to have their impact on the draws as participation metrics have seemed to level out in some draws rather than the steady increase that has happened over the last decade.

I know more people personally in my life that have dropped out of western hunting rather than jump in over the last two years. Anyone that has asked me about jumping in has rethought it after reviewing and seeing the costs associated with it.

I am not seeing what you are. I hear lots of bitching about the costs and poor draw odds but they keep applying and building points. Heck they are buying new trucks and new bows and guns just as always. Totally related and not related heck I can think of a dozen friends who have teenage boys all got trucks and cars and don't even mow the grass at home.

 

[WapitiBob]

I haven't seen a recession, covid, or anything else do diddley for draw odds or reducing applicants.

 

[Nick87]

I am not seeing what you are. I hear lots of bitching about the costs and poor draw odds but they keep applying and building points. Heck they are buying new trucks and new bows and guns just as always. Totally related and not related heck I can think of a dozen friends who have teenage boys all got trucks and cars and don't even mow the grass at home.

Lot of truth to that too.

 

[PoleX]

I’d imagine T levels reducing has higher correlation with drop out than prices going up 10%. My gosh, if it’s too much or you rather have a hunt you can plan out there’s plenty of guides that would gladly take your money for the “harvest” hunt your after. I don’t buy MSG out of state cause I can run an excel sheet.

 

[BuzzH]

I’d imagine T levels reducing has higher correlation with drop out than prices going up 10%. My gosh, if it’s too much or you rather have a hunt you can plan out there’s plenty of guides that would gladly take your money for the “harvest” hunt your after. I don’t buy MSG out of state cause I can run an excel sheet.

Excel sheets lie...

 

[PoleX]

Excel sheets lie...

Yeah, that’s equivalent to me telling a 70 year old they should have investing in bitcoin coin 15 years ago. I think it was smart you got in and stayed in just rather save my money and buy a sheep hunt in BC or Alaska then throw money at 0 tag applications. My dad drew Arizona unit 9 twice in 6 years back when 3 guys hunted archery out west. Things have changed.

 

[Bullshot]

It may not even take a full blown recession for the impacts to possibly start hitting. Factors such as cost of living, wage raises not matching inflation, real estate prices, fuel prices, tax increases, NR fee increases and I'm sure many others are for sure starting to have their impact on the draws as participation metrics have seemed to level out in some draws rather than the steady increase that has happened over the last decade.

I know more people personally in my life that have dropped out of western hunting rather than jump in over the last two years. Anyone that has asked me about jumping in has rethought it after reviewing and seeing the costs associated with it.

series of "normal" conversations, not forum posts, type of which I am having with virtually anyone I know associated with out of state hunting. My comments on the right. Some serious hunter friends I know getting fed up.




View attachment 407339

 

[cgasner1]

I’d rather be broke and elk hunt than have some money and trout fish

 

[Nick87]

I’d rather be broke and elk hunt than have some money and trout fish

Checks out.

 

[Bullshot]

My point wasn't that anyone needs to prefer fishing over hunting, but just that I am sure that many many people are very vocally frustrated, if only amongst friends. It is not guaranteed that demand will always go up. To think otherwise is ignorance.

 

[Nick87]

I can't see demand going down short of another recession like @brymoore noted. Most people have more money than brains which isn't saying much. As long as social media portrays it someone will try to live it. Imo.

 

[BuzzH]

Yeah, that’s equivalent to me telling a 70 year old they should have investing in bitcoin coin 15 years ago. I think it was smart you got in and stayed in just rather save my money and buy a sheep hunt in BC or Alaska then throw money at 0 tag applications. My dad drew Arizona unit 9 twice in 6 years back when 3 guys hunted archery out west. Things have changed.

My immediate family has drawn a pretty good pile of excellent tags, some very recently.

We don't use excel sheets though.

You better plan on getting that money saved up quick...sheep hunting is drying up fast in AK and Canada.

 

[brownbear932008]

I too know a BUNCH of people who have dropped out after 2-5 years. Even my wife's uncle dropped out after 6 years. He said that he just wasn't paying those fees. Which is very telling because he has the money to burn....

Once our points are torched, we will also be done until we gain residency.

The small circle I'm friends with in my area around 90% are either out already or working their way out. Me included!

 

[PoleX]

My immediate family has drawn a pretty good pile of excellent tags, some very recently.

We don't use excel sheets though.

You better plan on getting that money saved up quick...sheep hunting is drying up fast in AK and Canada.

Yep, they seem to be drying up even faster in the west.