After I applied for Nevada, the online system asked if I'd take a questionaire. I usually can't stand that stuff, but figured if it helps them manage hunting, I'd do it.
I could tell answering the questions, Nevada is trying to be competitive against the other states by making their draw system easy, which is great. They also are probing to see how many of us are applying multiple states.
I think it's great that these states are figuring out they need to compete for the non-resident dollars- should only help us.
Arizona moved their elk/antelope app earlier a few years back and it brought in more hunters because AZ figured out people like to plan.
As hunter numbers shrink over the next few decades, it's going to get harder and harder for states to treat us like a commodity similiar to other goverment run agencies.
Idaho is a good example of old thinking costing them millions. They are one of the latest draw apps in the west and have no incentive to buy the license, so many nonresidents won't play their game anymore.
If Idaho made the nonres license refundable if no tag drawn, moved their application dates to February, with results out by March 30th, they would attract thousands more applicants and could keep a nominal application fee. Odds would stay the same for residents, but would obviously worsen for nonresidents.
Instead they say they need to wait to see how winter is before they do the draw. I advertise our outfitting/scouting business in the Idaho regs and the deadline to submit was Friday 3/30, so I know F&G had to have their proposals in by then for printing, so they still don't know really how winter will turn out. They can adjust permit levels before the draw in June, but to my memory, have only done that once, and it was last year.
Am I wrong about all this?
I could tell answering the questions, Nevada is trying to be competitive against the other states by making their draw system easy, which is great. They also are probing to see how many of us are applying multiple states.
I think it's great that these states are figuring out they need to compete for the non-resident dollars- should only help us.
Arizona moved their elk/antelope app earlier a few years back and it brought in more hunters because AZ figured out people like to plan.
As hunter numbers shrink over the next few decades, it's going to get harder and harder for states to treat us like a commodity similiar to other goverment run agencies.
Idaho is a good example of old thinking costing them millions. They are one of the latest draw apps in the west and have no incentive to buy the license, so many nonresidents won't play their game anymore.
If Idaho made the nonres license refundable if no tag drawn, moved their application dates to February, with results out by March 30th, they would attract thousands more applicants and could keep a nominal application fee. Odds would stay the same for residents, but would obviously worsen for nonresidents.
Instead they say they need to wait to see how winter is before they do the draw. I advertise our outfitting/scouting business in the Idaho regs and the deadline to submit was Friday 3/30, so I know F&G had to have their proposals in by then for printing, so they still don't know really how winter will turn out. They can adjust permit levels before the draw in June, but to my memory, have only done that once, and it was last year.
Am I wrong about all this?