In looking at this slightly old post, I think what Jim Mathews is saying is that license and tag costs have risen far faster than inflation.
That and having to pay full price for a tag to enter the drawing.
Both of these make it harder and harder for Joe sixpack to apply or hunt.
I've put in for CA hunts all the time. If I get drawn for Big Horn it's gonna be the once in a lifetime max out the credit cards and go hunting.
Now, I don't want to send off near a thousand dollars every year for six months or so in the hopes of getting drawn and a refund later.
As far as resident/nonriesident differences; I'm conflicted. I understand that CA's game belongs to everyone in CA and can understand nonresidents paying more, since we probably support or game and DFG with our other taxes etc. But, when the differences between Res and Nonres end up being 10 fold or total gouging; then it's going way too far.
richardoutwest
I think Mathews' point about the guides is that the more expensive hunting is made then only the rich can hunt. And who usually hires guides? The poorest, or the richer and those that get the once in a lifetime tags. If it costs a grand to get all the tags there are; instead of a hundred, then odds are more of the hunters will hire guides. Guides benefit then and would be for it. Also, hunts that require guides or outfitter tags bring guides more business.
If you go to his website, you'll find his email and the two of you can probably have a pretty good discussion.
As far as hunting being more expensive for you as a person; yeah you fit in with everyone else there.
That and having to pay full price for a tag to enter the drawing.
Both of these make it harder and harder for Joe sixpack to apply or hunt.
I've put in for CA hunts all the time. If I get drawn for Big Horn it's gonna be the once in a lifetime max out the credit cards and go hunting.
Now, I don't want to send off near a thousand dollars every year for six months or so in the hopes of getting drawn and a refund later.
As far as resident/nonriesident differences; I'm conflicted. I understand that CA's game belongs to everyone in CA and can understand nonresidents paying more, since we probably support or game and DFG with our other taxes etc. But, when the differences between Res and Nonres end up being 10 fold or total gouging; then it's going way too far.
richardoutwest
I think Mathews' point about the guides is that the more expensive hunting is made then only the rich can hunt. And who usually hires guides? The poorest, or the richer and those that get the once in a lifetime tags. If it costs a grand to get all the tags there are; instead of a hundred, then odds are more of the hunters will hire guides. Guides benefit then and would be for it. Also, hunts that require guides or outfitter tags bring guides more business.
If you go to his website, you'll find his email and the two of you can probably have a pretty good discussion.
As far as hunting being more expensive for you as a person; yeah you fit in with everyone else there.
