License fee increase legislation

[Bob33]

Is a 25% increase in elk hunting tags gona stop you from elk hunting next year? is a 200% increase in OIL tag feels gona stop you?

The increase is only on the tag, not on the application so I don't think there will be any change for OIL tags.  You just drew a moose or sheep permit but now you have to spend $300 to buy the tag instead of $100.  Who in his right mind would not buy it? Elk it may be different because some people just won't apply, knowing that if they draw the tag will be more expensive.  I don't think it will make much difference in the number of applicants or hunters.

[Elkaholic daWg]

"...In 1980, according to data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, this state fielded 360,684 paid license-holding hunters. By 1990, that number had slipped to 268,653 license holders and in 2000, USFWS data shows 214,969 paid license holders. The number in 2010 was 209,050 (up from the 194,308 licenses reported for 2005, according to the USFWS website).

   What has happened?

   Regulations have changed, seasons have been shifted to reduce opportunity and harvest, and a lot of hunters are convinced they’ve gotten more than one raw deal from the agency they once trusted."



 Paste from Dave W's thread....
 Out of the 209,950 (If we can trust usfws)  I am sure that somewhere in there, along with the fuel cost increases and all of it's other related increases, not to mention a sick economy, there would be those on fixed incomes,or living paycheck to paycheck that these when it is all added up that will Choose to give it up,if not have to!
 Increases will gain DFW$-how many stop(the unknown$).


 Is there a line out there that when crossed will cause you to rebel and stop paying WDFW for less and go to other states, or just plain quit?

 Or better,is there a line where we would all band together and send DFW a message. Tough one there. hunters seem to be one of the easiest to splinter groups there is.

[bobcat]

I think a big part of the decrease in hunter numbers has little to do with the increase in license fees, and a lot more to do with the aging population. Every year there are less hunters because they get old and quit due to physical limitations (or they die.) Young people who grow up in cities are less exposed to the outdoors than previous generations, and they are more into indoor activities. Also, with the increase in human populations comes a decrease in huntable land that is close to civilization. Many of the areas that were hunted 30 years ago are now nothing but subdivisions and shopping malls. This makes it more difficult and more expensive for people to get to places where they can hunt. This must be another big limiting factor on younger hunters in getting involved with hunting. Another big factor is the price of fuel. When I was just old enough to begin hunting on my own, gas was right at $1.00 a gallon.

I just think hunting license fees are at the bottom of the list for factors that have caused a decrease in the number of hunters. More people would hunt if they had a place to hunt, that was close to home, and if fuel prices were at $1.00 a gallon that would be even better.

[bigtex]

Young people who grow up in cities are less exposed to the outdoors than previous generations, and they are more into indoor activities.

I think that has the biggest thing to do with it. I personally don't see the amount of young people out hunting and fishing like I used to. It's mainly people over 35/40 that I see out hunting/fishing. And I think a lot of it has to do with computers, TV and video games. There was once a time where every Saturday and Sunday kids would be out from sun up till sundown playing in the streets, running through the woods and so on. Now days kids are all inside playing video games or watching TV. It use to just be the inner-city kids would not be the "outdoorsy" type, but now it seems like just about everywhere you go kids would rather play video games then go outside.

[BlackRidge]

Is a 25% increase in elk hunting tags gona stop you from elk hunting next year? is a 200% increase in OIL tag feels gona stop you?

The increase is only on the tag, not on the application so I don't think there will be any change for OIL tags.  You just drew a moose or sheep permit but now you have to spend $300 to buy the tag instead of $100.  Who in his right mind would not buy it? Elk it may be different because some people just won't apply, knowing that if they draw the tag will be more expensive.  I don't think it will make much difference in the number of applicants or hunters.

Sure, who wouldnt.... but should we have to? (and I know, we arent forced to, but if we're drawn for such a thing, would you consider that increase fair)

[Special T]

Yes and NO! 
    Yes because if people are willing to pay it for services then they should and its fair! Why do people hire guides for $$$ or pay big $$$ of out of state tags? Because the people have made a choice that it is worth it or not. "Fair" has nothing to do with it.. 
    NO because they piss our many away on Non game stuff all the damn time! I have decided to keep my hard earned money in my pocket for a few lic that i used to purchase "just because"... I no longer see the reasoning that i should fork over $$$ for the incidental catches of bear and cougar while I'm out hunting... Maybe my mind will change and i will start buying ONLY bear and Cougar tags and not purchase the Deer/Elk Combo..  If i didn't deer and elk hunt with friends and family i already would have.