New bill will greatly impact DIY nonresident hunters in Montana

[mburrows]

https://www.gohunt.com/read/news/alert-new-bill-will-greatly-impact-nonresident-hunters-montana#gs.s2dlq9



Summary of the bill

    60% of the nonresident combination licenses would be reserved for applicants who will hunt with a licensed outfitter
        Licenses that are not sold to outfitters by March 30 would then go into the general draw
    Removes the ability for nonresident combination license cost to be adjusted annually
    Adjusts the nonresident deer combination licenses from 4,600 to 6,600 total licenses

One other change is making the preference point only purchase period extended until December 31 of that license year. Currently, the point only purchase period runs from July 1 through September 30 if you did not apply in the main draw.

[Skyvalhunter]

Sign of the times. Probably will go thru.

[mburrows]

Sure hope not.

[Stein]

Wow, pretty obvious who is going to benefit if that goes through.  I would hope hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ets, in areas that aren't in high demand and thus aren't served by many or any outfitters will realize what this will do to their revenue from hunters.

[vandeman17]

Wow, pretty obvious who is going to benefit if that goes through.  I would hope hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ets, in areas that aren't in high demand and thus aren't served by many or any outfitters will realize what this will do to their revenue from hunters.

  Many Montana towns rely on hunters in the fall and winter to survive. You shift those hunters staying at motels in town, buying groceries, eating and drinking at restaurants/bars to being lodged and fed by outfitters and many business will go under.

[Skyvalhunter]

This is pretty much what happened in NM. WY has it to an extent where a Non Resident can't hunt the Wilderness areas unless accompanied by an Outfitter. I see rumblings of AK going to stricter regulations for Non Residents also.

[Stein]

Wow, pretty obvious who is going to benefit if that goes through.  I would hope hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ets, in areas that aren't in high demand and thus aren't served by many or any outfitters will realize what this will do to their revenue from hunters.

  Many Montana towns rely on hunters in the fall and winter to survive. You shift those hunters staying at motels in town, buying groceries, eating and drinking at restaurants/bars to being lodged and fed by outfitters and many business will go under.

I wouldn't be surprised if the hotels made less money from outfitter clients as well, they often have deals for reduced rates or kickbacks.  They are also MUCH more concentrated - not every town that has a horde of DIY hunters has outfitters in the area, not to mention many outfitters have bunk rooms or cabins of their own and would undoubtedly expand if guaranteed additional clients every year.

There are many units people just aren't going to pay $10k to hunt.  Establishments in those areas should be very concerned.

[vandeman17]

Randy newberg ig post

[huntnphool]

 This is very similar to how it used to be. The issue back then was most “outfitters” were from out of state. Hunters were guaranteed tags if they booked with a outfitter, or every other year if going DIY. Residents finally figured out that little money was spent in Montana at motels, restaurants etc. and got it changed.

 My guess is this is being pushed by out of state outfitters again.

[greenhead_killer]

this would be a really bad idea. like others have stated, its outfitters that have to be pushing this. no logical reason other than their own greed. 60% of nr tags going to them??!?!?! that is insane! maybe montana should eliminate all out of state outfitters instead

[Stein]

Do you guys think there are enough people to pay for outfitters to use the 60%?  60% is 23,160 people hiring a guide for what $8-10k+?  If you have a great chance at drawing a tag, they could probably increase their prices expecting way more demand.

The bill also requires a $100 fee to apply for the outfitter tag in addition to the tag cost.   

I e-mailed the vice chair as I grew up in his district and hunt there and felt it would carry the most weight.  I tried to focus on heritage and supporting local small economies and reminded them many outfitters are out of state and the money wouldn't even stay in MT in many cases.

[Mulie87]

I could see a consequence of a plethora of left over combo tags and an overflowing carrying capacity which equals a loss of revenue for businesses and the state government from unsold tags.

[Stein]

Another impact is that guides would be scooping up more leases leading to less land available for those 40% that are DIY.

[Mulie87]

True

[vandeman17]

I see a scenario like Idaho this year when there are leftover outfitter tags and the mayhem trying to scoop one up.