I don't expect huge creep in General tags; some happens every year, but I don't think it will jump in the General like it will the jump at higher demand hunts. I think the biggest creep will be in units that have taken 10+ points. I say that, based on the people I know who use one of the many tag application services. They all have double digit points. They are being advised to burn points this year.
I met a group of four at a trade show in Seattle last week. They are burning 16 points in units that don't take nearly that many. They've been advised by their application service to burn them now and they are doing that. Same as other friends. They are all burning on hunts where they are 2-4 points above what was required last year. They've been buyers for a long time and they see this as the year to actually apply.
Maybe I am only focusing the anecdotal examples. When I combine the anecdotal events with the history of what has happened in other states over the last 25 years, when big changes came, the change in folks at high point levels jumping in was at higher rates than those with lower point levels.
When you look at those application services, there are thousands and thousands of non-residents who use them. And most of the folks I know who use them have been point buyers for 10+ years. The services some of my friends use suggested they burn points last year when the rumors first started about fee increases and tag allocation changes. Not sure how many did it. Those same services are strongly suggesting these high point holder friends burn points in Wyoming this year, and not just for elk.
Whether or not my expectation holds true, I guess we will know in May.