Claiming residence in another state

[CarbonHunter]

Has anyone on here gone to the effort changing their residence to either Montana or Idaho for better hunting opportunities while continuing to work in Washington?

I’ve been considering this move knowing I will retire outside of Washington and it would allow me to know where I will hunt each year without waiting for a draw or other hurdles that prevent you from hunting the same location each year. The biggest obstacle is that you would need to pay a state income tax to a state for income made in Washington.

I would really like to find a hunting spot that I could count on returning to each year without playing a lottery each year for a chance at a good hunt. Anyone with experience?

[Ridgeratt]

Just get a po box.  You will be golden.

[Naches Sportsman]

Just get a po box.  You will be golden.

That's not how it works.

[bornhunter]

Just get a po box.  You will be golden.

No. A buddy of mine did that and he is still paying fines and back taxes.

[Bob33]

Each state has different requirements. These are Montana's.

     (2) A person who has physically resided in Montana as the person's principal or primary home or place of abode for 180 consecutive days and who meets the criteria of subsection (4) immediately before making application for any license is eligible to receive resident hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. As used in this section, a vacant lot or a premises used solely for business purposes is not considered a principal or primary home or place of abode.
     (3) A person who obtains residency under subsection (2) may continue to be a resident for purposes of this section by physically residing in Montana as the person's principal or primary home or place of abode for not less than 120 days a year and by meeting the criteria of subsection (4) prior to making application for any resident hunting, fishing, or trapping license.
     (4) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2) or (3), a person shall meet the following criteria to be considered a resident for purposes of this section:
     (a) the person's principal or primary home or place of abode is in Montana;
     (b) the person files Montana state income tax returns as a resident if required to file;
     (c) the person licenses and titles in Montana as required by law any vehicles that the person owns and operates in Montana;
     (d) except as provided in subsection (1)(b), the person does not possess or apply for any resident hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses from another state or country or exercise resident hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges in another state or country; and
     (e) if the person registers to vote, the person registers only in Montana.

[CarbonHunter]

I’ve read the rules and know it more than a PO Box or a vehicle licensed in the state. The big question is the taxes worth it for a stable hunting plan. If you buy a house or property in another state you are already paying the property taxes but if you want the hunting rights you then have to pay the income tax and you would need to vote from that property meaning you wouldn’t have a vote for the local elections. Keep in mind you would still be paying all of Washington’s taxes as well.

[rtspring]

Serve your country!  I hunt 3 states at the cost of a resident!  Oh and oregon fishing and hunting license is free for life plus 14.00 elk tag

[Cougartail]

You are a resident in the location of your primary home. How much time you live there and type of structure/ownership matters. Unless you live on the boundry and come into Washington to work I wouldn't do it.

[cem3434]

Just get a po box.  You will be golden.

Isn't that what one of the well known archery guys did on this site and ended up getting busted?

[Buckmark]

Longtatlaw
 

[CarbonHunter]

Serve your country!  I hunt 3 states at the cost of a resident!  Oh and oregon fishing and hunting license is free for life plus 14.00 elk tag

Too late and too old to go down that road.

[Sneaky]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.650#:~:text=(2)%20A%20person%20is%20guilty,used%20for%20any%20commercial%20purpose.

[CarbonHunter]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.650#:~:text=(2)%20A%20person%20is%20guilty,used%20for%20any%20commercial%20purpose.

Doesn’t apply because if I took up residence in another state I wouldn’t hunt Washington.

[andrew_in_idaho]

Unless you’re actually going to be living in Idaho or Montana and commuting this all sounds like admission to a crime before you’re committing it. This is why game wardens love the internet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[idaho guy]

Wow way to twist a simple question. It seems straightforward is it worth the state income tax and other costs to MOVE and become a resident of either Idaho or Montana. That is what I read from the op. He got everything from get a picture box (definitely the stupidest thing to try) to he’s admitting to a crime  :chuckle:The higher income you are the less the move makes sense. I have a freind in Lewiston area extremely high income and it made way more sense financially to move across the river into Washington. He could buy out of state tags in every state and still be ahead. Lots of median wage earners have done the math with cost of living, vehicle registration, property taxes etc and felt it was a push. I think the math will be harder to justify around coeur d Alene as property prices and property taxes are skyrocketing. You will have to do the math personally but I would just live exactly where I want and not worry to much about saving a few bucks.