idaho non resident tag decrease, fee increase

[Machias]

It is one of the fastest growing states in the US.

[Stein]

It is one of the fastest growing states in the US.

I was surprised when I looked this up and found that it was the fastest growing state by percentage in 2019, 2.2%.

[grade-creek-rd]

One other thing to remember about forcing NR's to either forgo (too expensive for the common hunter) or move to another unit (capped zones) is that local economies will suffer...I'm not worried about the IDFG budget (it's a government agency, they'll find the funds somewhere...even if that means R paying more in the end game) but I know my pilot, who I've been flying with since 1991 took a major hit when they capped a unit he flies in to...that also means the local hotels, restaurants, etc. I know most towns aren't soley dependent on NR hunters dollars but I come from a small tourist town that WAS apple country...now it's wine drinkers and that mentality has ruined the valley (Chelan)...now think of small Idaho towns like Salmon, Atlanta, Yellow Pine, and Cascade...I know the residents like seeing my WA plates when I pull into their businesses and spend my $$$. I feel bad for them...I am lucky enough to be able to afford the new NR prices, but that doesn't mean I'm not looking to go elsewhere...I've never hunted MT because I can go to Idaho much cheaper and have a great hunt, but if it's gonna cost the same then I am very tempted (and already planning) to hunt MT and other states because "why not, it costs just as much to go to ID now"...

Grade

[3dvapor]

If we focused on our state you woudnt have to leave!

[2MANY]

Speaking for myself..........................................I'm already gone!!!

[bearpaw]

It is one of the fastest growing states in the US.

Currently Idaho is the fastest growing state!


My view is that capping a zone relieves the pressure to put a unit/zone on a draw basis but it puts more pressure on other uncapped zones. When capping a zone, at least in the zones I'm knowledgeable of the capping process, the caps were based on a percentage of historic use by non-residents and/or non-residents. Overall I agree with capping as long as both residents and non-residents are capped. I know sometimes non-residents are capped but residents are not capped, when that happens hunter crowding usually continues to grow due to the growth in resident hunter numbers.

The last time Idaho raised fees it only raised resident fees. They did not raise non-resident fees because they did not want to alienate non-resident hunters. I attended a meeting with F&G where this was fully discussed and only the resident fees were increased. I think Idaho has been more cautious of raising non-resident fees than most western states. However, everything is driven by supply and demand and the costs of doing business. These states do need to increase fees from time to time to keep up with inflation and I think Idaho has been very fair about not raising fees on non-residents for a long time.

Overall I applaud Idaho F&G for trying to fairly provide as much opportunity as possible for resident and non-resident hunters.

[2MANY]

The funny part is the main pressure is coming from the resident population increase according to the bio's.

Non resident pressure has remained fairly constant but just moved from unit to unit.

[buglebrush]

It is one of the fastest growing states in the US.

Currently Idaho is the fastest growing state!


My view is that capping a zone relieves the pressure to put a unit/zone on a draw basis but it puts more pressure on other uncapped zones. When capping a zone, at least in the zones I'm knowledgeable of the capping process, the caps were based on a percentage of historic use by non-residents and/or non-residents. Overall I agree with capping as long as both residents and non-residents are capped. I know sometimes non-residents are capped but residents are not capped, when that happens hunter crowding usually continues to grow due to the growth in resident hunter numbers.

The last time Idaho raised fees it only raised resident fees. They did not raise non-resident fees because they did not want to alienate non-resident hunters. I attended a meeting with F&G where this was fully discussed and only the resident fees were increased. I think Idaho has been more cautious of raising non-resident fees than most western states. However, everything is driven by supply and demand and the costs of doing business. These states do need to increase fees from time to time to keep up with inflation and I think Idaho has been very fair about not raising fees on non-residents for a long time.

Overall I applaud Idaho F&G for trying to fairly provide as much opportunity as possible for resident and non-resident hunters.

 
Much as I hate paying more, I can't honestly be upset about it.  The only thing I do have a problem with is getting rid of the super cheap Junior Mentored tags.  I've taken a lot of kids over the years with that option, and it's definitely going to cut a lot of kids out. 

[Karl Blanchard]

And $70 to bow hunt 🤦‍♂️ I thought the $20 was dumb just on principal but $70 to make hamstring myself? That's just insulting 😡

[2MANY]

Sounds like there will be an additional fee for WA and Cali residents as well.

[bearpaw]

And $70 to bow hunt 🤦‍♂️ I thought the $20 was dumb just on principal but $70 to make hamstring myself? That's just insulting 😡

Before WA went to pick a weapon, there was also an archery and Muzzy permit in WA. At that time archery and muzzy were viewed by many people as additional hunting opportunities. I think you could say that Idaho is still in that type of position. You do have to choose an A or B elk tag, but both tag options usually offer multiple weapon seasons.

[Karl Blanchard]

And $70 to bow hunt 🤦‍♂️ I thought the $20 was dumb just on principal but $70 to make hamstring myself? That's just insulting 😡

Before WA went to pick a weapon, there was also an archery and Muzzy permit in WA. At that time archery and muzzy were viewed by many people as additional hunting opportunities. I think you could say that Idaho is still in that type of position. You do have to choose an A or B elk tag, but both tag options usually offer multiple weapon seasons.

right. You wanna archery hunt then pick up a muzzy and hunt late elk that'll be $140. You wanna run the Frank, with your rifle for deer in september, then move to general season and then round it off with some archery action down in 39 during nov...zero additional dollars.

[2MANY]

Stop it your getting me excited.

[meatwhack]

It makes Washington multi season tags seem like a bargain

[elkboy]

Sounds like there will be an additional fee for WA and Cali residents as well.

Really?!