Non-resident license fees.

One reason western tags cost so much for non residents is because we don't have millions of residents that are going to buy resident tags for enough money to support the G&F departments…..
 
Good ol Washington sure does charge more,,,, or at least, has a high price set for Non Residents but this state's wildlife has been mis-managed for many years so why would Non Residents want to come here? Maybe for Sheep, Moose or goat but not elk and deer

Same with Idaho, they lowered the amount of non res tags and raised the fees. It totally sux to get to hunting camp to only see nonresident vehicles everywhere and leaving trash behind. It's deeper than just dollar bills…
I can assure you that not all Nonresident hunters leave their trash behind. I have hunted Idaho many times in the past along with several other states and I have always made sure to leave an area better than I found it. I get it though. In my neck of the woods, we get the seasonal mushroom hunters, salal and tree bow pickers and they seem to show up in big vans with 8 or 9 people in each and leave their trash scattered everywhere. I have had a few words with some of them over it and miraculously, most of the time they can't or won't speak English.!!
 
I can assure you that not all Nonresident hunters leave their trash behind. I have hunted Idaho many times in the past along with several other states and I have always made sure to leave an area better than I found it. I get it though. In my neck of the woods, we get the seasonal mushroom hunters, salal and tree bow pickers and they seem to show up in big vans with 8 or 9 people in each and leave their trash scattered everywhere. I have had a few words with some of them over it and miraculously, most of the time they can't or won't speak English.!!
Washington State requires a permit if foraging is done for commercial purposes. This sounds like it's commercial. Foraging in wilderness areas is prohibited. You probably should contact law enforcement the next time you see it.
 
Somebody please show me hunts in Africa that are WAY LESS EXPENSIVE than hunting here in the US. If so, color me there.
I can hunt elk, bear, mule deer in Montana, Utah, etc for less than air fare to Africa, much less the guide, game fees, and export fees.
Manitou
Sorry, I agree that you can buy or apply for a tag and hunt in some western states for less than a plane ticket to South Africa, depending on where you live if you are doing it yourself and not utilizing a outfitter. I was speaking of a guided hunts and I should have stated that. I can help you with some information on hunts in South Africa if you want me to, just message me.
 
I just finished an interesting exercise pricing out various hunts out West & Canada and compared them to hunt offers in Africa.

Turned out that even when including the round trip airfare it was still cheaper by more than $1,000 to spend a week in Africa then hunting here.

Guess where I'm headed this year? ...
Well if you hunt to fill your freezer, you will not have any meat to take home
 
I've lived in Wyoming since 1976 and was born and raised in New Mexico. In both states and since I can remember resident hunters have complained about all the Texans, Californians and any hunter that is not us.
For several years now I have advocated for resident licenses to be about five times what they are now and non resident permits priced at five times the resident amounts. Most residents of Wyoming have threatened me with physical bodily harm when hearing my beliefs, but still continue to complain about the number of non resident hunters which provide a very significant amount of money to the coffers of our state.
In this matter I agree with Pogo. "We have met the enemy and he is us".
 
I can assure you that not all Nonresident hunters leave their trash behind. I have hunted Idaho many times in the past along with several other states and I have always made sure to leave an area better than I found it. I get it though. In my neck of the woods, we get the seasonal mushroom hunters, salal and tree bow pickers and they seem to show up in big vans with 8 or 9 people in each and leave their trash scattered everywhere. I have had a few words with some of them over it and miraculously, most of the time they can't or won't speak English.!!
👍
 
I don't see a person that has worked hard his/her entire life and saved responsibly, not got him or herself loaded up with debt, lived within their means, and then buying a out of state expensive tag as "clueless." I see that person as a contributing responsible individual to the sport, the state they're hunting in and its economy, while seeking to enjoy the passion they have for the outdoors and hunting. Some folk like to spend thousands upon thousands on vacations while I prefer my vacations doing what I love, hunting! If it cost me a little to do then that's my choice. I'll be traveling to New Mexico to hunt Cow Elk with a land owner tag this fall, is it cheap, nope! Is it what I want to do, yup, am I clueless, not a chance. I consider it a privilege that I'm allowed to hunt in all 50 states, if I can't afford it then I don't go.
Amen Brother!
 
I've lived in Wyoming since 1976 and was born and raised in New Mexico. In both states and since I can remember resident hunters have complained about all the Texans, Californians and any hunter that is not us.
For several years now I have advocated for resident licenses to be about five times what they are now and non resident permits priced at five times the resident amounts. Most residents of Wyoming have threatened me with physical bodily harm when hearing my beliefs, but still continue to complain about the number of non resident hunters which provide a very significant amount of money to the coffers of our state.
In this matter I agree with Pogo. "We have met the enemy and he is us".
👍👍👍😳
 
Its always a money arguement NR wanna claim how much they pay, simple you dont wanna pay NR fees then move to the state you want hunt or is it you dont like paying NR fees so you can hunt 2 or 3 states a year and stay were your at with your high paying job knowing full well you will never make the money you do in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho like you do in states like California, Oregon, Washington etc. thats exactly what friends of mine do.
I've hunted as a NR in N.M, Nevada and Wyoming and accepted the fact long ago its there game im just asking to play it.
Aren't the politicians of states like Wyoming, Montana and Idaho suppose to do what there residents elect them to do or vote how the " foreigners" want?
I guess NR would rather have it like alot of our U.S politicians do cater to " foreigners "
Here's a thought…Buy a house in the state(s) you want to hunt in. Compare that cost(s) to a NR license. When you stop hunting then sell the house for a profit. Just sayin…
 
Manitou
Sorry, I agree that you can buy or apply for a tag and hunt in some western states for less than a plane ticket to South Africa, depending on where you live if you are doing it yourself and not utilizing a outfitter. I was speaking of a guided hunts and I should have stated that. I can help you with some information on hunts in South Africa if you want me to, just message me.
Not that I will ever hunt in Africa, but it's unfortunate that meat from any game animal taken there can't be brought back to the US. Seems its only for trophies and photos. Difficult to put a value on the experience, though. Also, I've noticed there are other costs involved in addition to getting there and back, and paying an outfitter for the hunt.
 
Lots of comments about wildlife agencies needing the money from non resident license sales. I hate to tell but most western states make way more money from fishing license sales than hunting. There is probably a few states that might be different. But what I'm saying is states don't depend on non resident license sales to operate but obviously they help.

The price increase for non residents historically goes back to residents demanding higher prices for non residents. This goes back to Hunting was for consumption, 98% of non resident hunting is about the trophy or the unique opportunity that's not offered in your own state. Meat consumption is not the primary goal but a nice bonus. Thus non residents pay more because of the intent of the hunt. That's the back ground of why non residents pay more. Resident demanding it and trophy hunting. Trophy hunting is the primary reason for todays increase in $ to hunt
 
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