Lobbying Wyoming game and fish negatively affecting non-resident elk hunters

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Lack of proximity to the vast majority of the country where non-residents are driving from is the major factor there.
I think it’s more of the fact that trophy quality sucks, herd numbers suck, access is sucking more every year. It’s not worth coming here. People wouldn’t go to Alaska if convenience of travel was an issue. It’s because it’s somewhat worth it.
 

tdhanses

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WY solicited you? They actively searched you out and started convincing you to buy points? You must be pretty big name in hunting if you have states coming after you personally. I get reminders from WY to buy points because I signed up for a mailing list, but I contacted them first.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using Tapatalk
They do every NR that is in their system, email is solicitation, doesn’t matter if you applied there first.
 
OP
G
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Buckeye rifleman, thanks for the well thought out post. I do think not only leaning on western state legislators we need to think of the angle on the Feds as well
 

tdhanses

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If you cant see value in public land beyond hunting you really need to look at your priorities. Of the time I spend on public land only a quarter is hunting. I'm sorry that the only time you enjoy them is when you travel to hunt. You are missing out
What value, your value? To me I see more value in selling 80% of these lands, that still leaves 20% for you to play on.

- Increased property tax rev
- Easier permitting for mineral extraction
- proper timber management and forest health
- Ability to lease out grasslands for market values vs pennies on the dollar
- Many, many more possibilities if the lands are in private hands that can benefit our society much more then a place to only hunt and fish for locals and the select few that vacation there.

But by retaining the top 20% that see’s heavy recreational use this leaves plenty of space for people to enjoy nature still, you may see more people but why do I care, it’s a finite resource that is underutilized.
 
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Lawnboi

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Wyoming residents who justifiably believe they are entitled to more of Wyoming’s LQ tags, and I’d agree for the most part are here yelling “entitled non resident!!!”

Non resident who just dosnt want to see things get worse than they are now entitled, their opinion means nothing, and gets laughed off as entitlement.

You can laugh all you want, you still sound selfish.

Edit, by the time I move out there hopefully it’s not locals only.
 

wapitibob

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I’ll try to find the video of the legislator saying he doesn’t care what non residents think and was rather pissed that his inbox was filled with their comments.
 
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Wyoming residents who justifiably believe they are entitled to more of Wyoming’s LQ tags, and I’d agree for the most part are here yelling “entitled non resident!!!”

Non resident who just dosnt want to see things get worse than they are now entitled, their opinion means nothing, and gets laughed off as entitlement.

You can laugh all you want, you still sound selfish.
I don’t care if you think I sound selfish. I want fewer people coming here to hunt. If I went to where you live and ate so much cheese you’d have a hard time making a hat you’d probably try to stop me. I promise not to…. Even though you are being selfish about your cheese.
🤣

Seriously though. The first part (big 5) is done. Now it’s on to elk. You’d do the same. I should probably stop reading this silliness and just focus on our elected officials.
 

tdhanses

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I don’t care if you think I sound selfish. I want fewer people coming here to hunt. If I went to where you live and ate so much cheese you’d have a hard time making a hat you’d probably try to stop me. I promise not to…. Even though you are being selfish about your cheese.
🤣

Seriously though. The first part (big 5) is done. Now it’s on to elk. You’d do the same. I should probably stop reading this silliness and just focus on our elected officials.
And then it’s selling public lands, but doubt that would effect your hunting. I’m sure we as owners of public land are selfish for thinking they should be sold.
 

Lawnboi

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Remember though. For every unfortunate sap that wants to drop out go ahead.

There is someone else more fortunate ready to take your place.

Go be poor somewhere else.
I don’t care if you think I sound selfish. I want fewer people coming here to hunt. If I went to where you live and ate so much cheese you’d have a hard time making a hat you’d probably try to stop me. I promise not to…. Even though you are being selfish about your cheese.
🤣

Seriously though. The first part (big 5) is done. Now it’s on to elk. You’d do the same.
Atleast you own it. I’m not sure I would, I could be doing the same in my state for some of our resources but I don’t. I certainly wouldn’t be pushing a pay to play agenda that some see as the answer either.

If I were in your shoes I damn sure would put up a fight if it was going the other way though.
 

mlgc20

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Non-residents lobbying the local lawmakers on this front is worthless. The only way I could see where there might be some slowing of the direction towards 100/0 is if the non-hunting residents of western states decided they weren't excited about the 90% discount that the resident hunters get on their tags. If they told their legislators that they wanted resident hunters who are already getting extensive preference in tag availability and access, but they need to pay something closer to market value for their tags. Over the course of all the resident tags, there could be significantly higher revenue for the state. Extreme discounting of resident tag prices are a part of the problem IMO. Not likely to happen of course.
 

Rich M

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Hunting in Wyoming, and other western states, will become more and more difficult to do as interest grows. It's simple supply and demand. I don't blame any state for taking care of it's residents, especially Wyoming. Cost of living is high, wages are low, the climate is crappy, and you have to deal with guys like Buzz to live there. It's not for everyone. The outdoors, and generally good politics, are really the only major draw they have so they need to keep their residents happy.
Wy has 580k folks

130-150k of them hunt

The F&G budget is like $81 million

The res hunters cant afford this without help. 1 yr boycott by NR would crush them.
 

Laramie

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Wy has 580k folks

130-150k of them hunt

The F&G budget is like $81 million

The res hunters cant afford this without help. 1 yr boycott by NR would crush them.
You may be right but there is no way you could get all non residents on board at the same time.
 
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One of the main reasons residents of any state get preference is not only the taxes but the fact that they are there every day supporting the economy. Buying gas, buying food, shopping. Non-residents do pay more for tags but they only spend their money in that state for one week a year, not everyday like residents do.
 

slick

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Western non-resident hunters , fngs, and lurkers I know your out there or looking at this thread and frustrated. You have had goals of a western hunting trip and looked at the insanity. The first thing I would like to say is there are some great people on this sight helpful ,generously willing to share info etc. Dont kid yourself there are also some that feel 1 non-resident in there state is too many . You are viewed as the enemy, competition. They do not want non-resident hunting. I respect their opinion.
Non -resident western hunters do we have a leg to stand on , bargining chips, negotiating power ? Are we working from a position of strength or weakness ? Obviously MONEY is the best one. Most western game/fish departments rely heavily on non-resident license fees. At what point and how do we use that bargining chip ?Other thoughts on Federal land use ? Contacting state senators / congressman involved in office of tourism. There must be lawyers/ politicians looking at this situation scratching their heads looking at legal angles. Throwing thoughts /options out there. Any other western non-resident hunters have any ideas

I just have to ask, do you work for a local union? If not, you might look into it. You'd do well.
 

Bighorner

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Taxes. Ag taxes are just as low as fed grazing leases. Same subsidy.

Easier permitting. That is true as someone who works in oil and gas not everything needs a well on it and oil companies have no conscience.

Fed grazing fees can be raised. It's a broken historical system that needs fixed (sound familar?)

Lots of possibilities when land gets bought up by wealthy folks. I'm sure you've noticed how welcoming the Wilks are, or any other large ranch. Coming from a guy with a lease in Colorado.

20%? Have you been to a national park out west? They need more space not less. They are getting loved to death. It's like a shopping center with animals.

When the FS is dissolved who is putting out the fire on your leased ground or whatever it is you bought in to?

The west is as wild a place today as it will ever be. We have access and dispite the constant complaint there is a ton of opportunity, just maybe not the oppertunity you feel you deserve.
 
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