I see some folks view this as protectionism for outfitters. I disagree. While it does secondarily serve as a protection for LICENSED outfitters, it is also relieving pressure on a finite and regulated resource (trophy mule deer).
Outfitters are regulated in Wyoming. They are limited in number, and I believe they are also limited in the number of clients they can serve in a year. This is also true of the federal land agency they operate on (i.e. Forest Service, BLM, etc.) Outfitters are regulated for a number of reasons, one of which is the increased pressure on a resource.
Allowing people to operate in an unregulated manner, where they sell coordinates/locations of trophy animals is directly placing a higher level of pressure on these animals. This is no different than offering an unregulated number of drop camps in an area, packing services, etc. The end result is more pressure on trophy deer during a season and ultimately a reduced level of opportunity because of it.
I personally know one of the folks involved in this legislative effort, and I can guarantee you his efforts are in NO way geared towards protecting outfitters. He is public land, DIY to the core and will always be so. This is about addressing the impacts the Doyle Moss's of the world have on trophy quality animals.
Well said that is a great point that I had not thought of. I was against this new law before I was for it! Ha ha Seemed harmless but I can definitely see this point. Thanks for posting, sometimes you have to think things through a little bit more than I do!
