price of hunting

[camocowboy]

Just got back from a week of entertaining [singing my hunting songs] for the Eastern Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation. Heard that in Reno a couple of weeks ago, one tag sold for three hundred thousand dollars! I spelled it out so you would know there was no extra zeros....

[Bowwild]

Yep, those Governor and Commissioner tags raise a lot of money for species-specific conservation.

Hunting is still the best deal around.  I spent more filling my truck's gas tank this weekend than I'll spend for an entire year's worth of hunting licenses in my home state.  A tank and a half will pay for my NR license in Indiana.  

My organization raised $22,000 with the sale of a single KY Elk Tag last year. We'll be doing it again shortly for this year.

[Mojostick]

Wasn't the deal with very limited tags and high prices just a way to fund the sheep restoration programs and also bring some public awareness by allowing a few people to harvest a few sheep?

I may be wrong, but I always thought the sheep setup was about the same as the elk hunt lottery here in Michigan. With Michigan charging like $4 for each of the 40,000 people that apply, it's an easy way to help fund the program, yet still allow some elk to be hunted.

I've never considered sheep hunting in the lower 48 a sport for the average joe. Frankly, sheep hunting in Canada and Alaska is out of reach for most guys.

[steadman]

Yes it's out of control here for sure. If I draw a resident big bull tag it will cost me $280. A nonres is even more ridiculous. We have a "sportsman" group out here that has really hurt the average Joe's chance to hunt. It's cheaper for me to hunt out of state. It's sad really.

[lpcjon2]

Bowwild it cost me around $300.00 a year just to hunt deer, ad another 100-200 if you want turkey.Thats just permits and extra buck tags.

Now at 300,000.00 is that a guaranteed animal, And is the lodge a casino with showgirls...LOL

[Bowwild]

Here in KY I spend only about $110 for an annual sportsman's license (2 deer, 4 turkey, and all the squirrel you care to eat)) to cover all critters. I don't hunt em all but I like the one-stop shopping.  The IN NR tag is $150 for one deer (1 deer).

Sounds like you (Tim) must pay extra to hunt those NJ deer and turkey with NE accents?

[lpcjon2]

Its amazing what they charge you to shoot dwarf deer. I think our NR is $120.00 now thats funny!

 You think with all the money each state brings in for license cost, ect. that there would be more state lands being protected or even purchased for the purpose of preservation. Instead we have to rely on other organizations like DU,RMEF,NWTF and others to do it for the states.What gives? I wish Teddy Roosevelt was still president.

[Steve in Canton]

I spend on average 300 a year for in state and out of state tags it would be more but I bought a lifetime license in WV in 1995 for $200 the best money I have ever spent.  With that being said hunting and fishing is cheap compared with many sports, when I used to golf it was typically $50 a day when you add in cart fees I can hunt deer here in ohio for under 50 for a year.

[Mark Baker]

Ryan...I know of "that" sportsman group as well, thanks to a few of your fellow statesmen clueing me in to how they operate.  They have moved into our state as well, flying the wolf banner high to attract new members here.   I will be watching them with a suspicious eye.  

Jim, you are right-on.  The biggest danger to our sport these days, and in future days is access and costs and it's effect on "average" guys being able to participate.   It has to remain a sport of the common man if it's to survive "as is", for all of us to enjoy.  

Pick your "evil" as it relates to the problems of hunting these days, and you can trace it all to $$$$$.    These tags are often put up there with the lure of helping out the cause of conservation, and they often do....but they are a sypmtom of the disease that is creeping in on us from every angle.  My opinion.  

I understand the costs involved with most regular tag fees....and most are related to management and administrative costs involved with running a state's wildlife dept....I can live with that.    But selling off tags to the highest bidder - even if the monies are earmarked for a good purpose - somehow cheapens things, or "prostitutes" an otherwise noble venture.    What we need is attention taken to preserve the North American Conservation Model in this country as the premier model for the world, that it is.   Our wildlife is owned and accessible to the general public, and not the priveledged few.   I could go on, and I don't know if this is where you wanted this discussion to go, Jim, but like I said....it is all kinda connected.

[PA stickbow boy]

Well said Mark.  It all makes me kind of sad.

[Night Wing]

Here in the state of Texas, it costs me $68/year for a resident Super Combo license.

This is a freshwater, saltwater and hunting license with all the tags (bull redfish tag, bowhunting, etc).

[JCJ]

Originally posted by Mark Baker:


Jim, you are right-on.  The biggest danger to our sport these days, and in future days is access and costs and it's effect on "average" guys being able to participate.  

Mark:

The future of hunting is what I work on for a living on a daily basis here in MN.

When I talk to my peers in other states including Western States like yours I am really glad I live and work here.

We have better than 10 million acres of public land open to hunting.

With recent dedicated funds from sales tax revenues we are acquiring additional public hunting lands every year.

That said, when we surveyed our deer hunters in 2000 and in 2005 we found that 75% of them utilize private lands for hunting.

So, even though we have lots of public land available most folks are still connected either through family and friends to private land access.

So, to make a long story short at least in our state access is not as big an issue as in other states.

As far as cost. A resident archery license is $26, I can buy one over the counter.

In the area I hunt I can buy an additional 4 doe tags at $15 per tag.

This license allows me to hunt for 3-1/2 months.

Hunting here in MN is pretty inexpensive and still pretty accessible.

Jay

[WildmanSC]

I turned 65 last month.  Shortly thereafter I went to the DNR office and purchased my lifetime hunting/fishing/GMA license for $10.  The only thing I'll have to pay for in the future is doe tags.

Bill

[ron w]

Here in New York I pay about $100 for Super sportsman  Hunting and Fishing Lic. That has spring and Fall Turkey tags [2 each season],fishing, Archery, Black powder,Firearms and a doe tag that you may or may not draw. I get a turkey about every 3 years, I fish and practice catch and release and I average seeing 2-3 deer a year while hunting. It is what it is.

[flinthead]

Hunting in Virginia is about 100.00 with gun, muzzelloader, bow, big game ,National and State Forest stamps. Considering that a dozen arrows can easily cost more than that-what a bargain. My deer cost me 33.00 each-not including all the fun and friends included. In our state hunting is still a bargain.
If you go on guided hunts you can expect to pay a bundle as you are buying the knowledge of a [hopefully] professional.
Just One opinion, Roy

[Mark Baker]

Jay...not disagreeing with you.  I too, have been involved - because I love it so - in preserving hunting and fishing opps as well, for more than a couple decades here.   There are examples to further whatever comment you want to make everywhere.   My point is that hunting "in general", across the country, is under attack by groups from within our own ranks (whether they know it or not) who are seeking to control the resource for their own profit.   Their are arguments to be made for promoting tag auctions...and their are arguments against as well.   Game departments are not to blame...but they are not always blameless - like any govt agency having to "sell" thier efforts as credible - and we all need to be vigilant, and not be afraid to give critique when needed.  

Like I said, I don't know if this was where Jim was going with this, and perhaps I got carried away.   "Buying" an opportunity like that will never be in my ability, and even if I did, I could'nt really be proud of the fact I did....when I know so many try and do it the "real guy" way and will never have a chance, either.  It further promotes a rich-mans sport attitude among the populace, and does us no good, IMO, among non-hunters either.   Minnesota may not have problems.   And there is still a lot of opportunity out west...true.   But every year we fight multiple attempts through the legislatures and game depts., veiled as "opportunities", that really are a taking of a public resource for profit by a few.    

It never hurts to examine our actions to see if benefits outway the detriments.  I'm not saying this is one, just that it isn't always a good thing.  

It costs quite a bit more here in MT to hunt for us residents, but it is still a bargain in my book and as I said originally, I am not criticizing game depts. for raising license fees where needed.  Just pointing out some potential trends.   Doesn't help putting our heads in the sand to the issues.

[Bow Ben AK]

I just turned 60 and here in Alaska that means all regular hunting and fish licenses are free from now on. What a place.  Ben

[Mark Baker]

Now thats cool, Ben!

[Rick Richard]

I agree with Mark.  Everyone should have the same opportunity regardless of financial statue.

[LimBender]

When I had my first job, I saved up and bought a lifetime hunting/fishing La license for $500.00.  One of my best investments, especially when you have general game, deer tag, archery tag, muzzleloader tag, state duck stamp, general fishing, saltwater fishing, etc.  It adds up, AND it saves time - I can throw a line in the water at any time without worrying about it.

If you are young and in a state that has lifetime licenses, and you think you will be there about 5-10 years, you should definitely look into it.  With cash strapped fed and state budgets as far as the eye can see, you can almost bet they will be continually raising license prices (we are a minority that can be picked on to raise revenue).  Do the math and you will probably pay for it in 5-7 years of full licenses.