I admit this seems excessive,, but Alaska has not raised prices in like 20 years. There were increases for residents too, and other fees increase and additional stamps added. The state is running out of money and wildlife management cost money. I mean, should a moose tag not cost more than a elk tag in the L48 states?? The state was missing out on allot of money from the matching funds by the feds from the Pittman-Robertson act. I supported the bill when it was brought up and I think it was long overdue. Alaska still allows one to use a great tag on a lesser animal, I don't believe any other state does that,, that is a nice option to have sometime.
I paid 479.00 dollars to enter the Montana elk drawing about 17 years ago, I just looked and a elk tag goes for 851.00 now for a non res, that is about twice what I paid 17 years ago, so seems about right to me. Want play,,one has to pay......
Trust me when I say,, this was and still is a sore issue. I don't like paying more either,, I just hope they use the money wisely and do some flight surveys and get some good population data.