Ive never looked at is as a donation.
$40.00 is pretty cheap entertainment considering the cost of a movie, line of bowling, round of golf, ski lift tickets.
I'd bet you enjoyed the time you did spend in the field.
Granted you could hike for free, but $40 is cheap insurance in case you come across a shooter.
And lugging around the rifle weight is good exercise.

When I modern hunted most of my deer were taken in the very 1st weekend, Mule Deer, or the final 3-4 days.
When I switched to Archery I always got into bucks in the last season. ( opens after late modern )
I'd suggest the Lane MT area near Waitts Lake, Valley WA.
I'm gunna tell you one of my old fav spots.. PM sent...
Good luck to you.. Hope this helps..