And according to that, the NR elk combination is $1078 and the deer/elk combo is $1278. But any way, yes nonresident hunters do pay a shit load more. I also pay a shit load more as a nonresident fisherman than a resident does in other states. I just suck it up and pay. Those fees don't stop me from fishing.
Yes, $1078 and likely $200 worth of preference points.
I know nothing of the bill and where the money is going. I also feel that both sides should be supporting the system. I've been in the Montana hunting system 1988 and have watched all the changes and seen the ups and downs of our game management. Nothing will ever be done that everyone will support. In the end I just hope to be able to continue to hunt my home state with and OTC resident tag as long as my body allows. If a Montana resident has to draw to hunt their own state we know that we really mucked up the works.
25% of the tags are for people with 0 points. I think points are stupid. All draws should be a 100% unweighted lottery.
I agree. The experiences I enjoyed as a kid are not what I get to share with my children but our landscape has changed. Farming and ranching isn't the same. Access isn't the same. Pressures on game animals are different (wolves are only one aspect) due to changes in societal norms. If you ever come hunt Montana again, I'd share a hunt with you and do my best to show you a good time. Our deer population density is in the shitter and elk are spending more time inaccessible on private land with no access during the general season. I can kill an elk every year to fill my freezer but it is taking more time and being willing to hunt in worse and worse conditions to make it happen. Thank goodness we can hunt elk from 8-15 to 2-15 every year now...
