I too am from Washington and my tag fees annually are 4-5 times what they are for residents in neighboring states, it is what it is, and sadly it will probably only get worse.
Not picking on the poster here at all...but these types of comments just don't make any sense to me, on any level.
It seems there is some sort of denial that it costs money, a lot of money, to manage a States wildlife resources.
Payroll, flights for game counts, habitat work, access programs, enforcement, fleet, education, computers, cell phones, radio networks, check stations, drawings, the list goes on and on and on.
There are literally thousands of moving parts that we have to fund to manage wildlife, no way around it. Management costs money.
People blow money on foolishness every single day, yet, when it comes to shelling out a few hundred a year to provide for wildlife, to make sure we have the opportunity to hunt and fish, many like to complain...I just don't get it.
Its a strange thing, and I see it nearly every time I buy a license, some dipwad complaining to the guy/gal selling them the license. The same person that will bitch about license fee's wont say anything about the costs associated with playing golf, going to the bar, going to a movie, etc. etc.
I pay my license fees and feel damn near like a crook it costs so little.