DesertBull Report post Posted November 5, 2005 If the raise is needed to keep officers in the field, do research, catch poachers, etc, then I am all for it. If it is to alter the draw odds of the better hunts in favor of those who can afford it, then I am 100% AGAINST IT. I don't care if you are from California, New York, or freaking IRAQ, charging $1,800 for an elk tag is an embarassment. The NR cap is back in place. They don't need to use $$$$ to deter NR from applying. USO is going to end up winning the public relations battle if that goes through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted November 6, 2005 If the raise is needed to keep officers in the field, do research, catch poachers, etc, then I am all for it. If it is to alter the draw odds of the better hunts in favor of those who can afford it, then I am 100% AGAINST IT. I don't care if you are from California, New York, or freaking IRAQ, charging $1,800 for an elk tag is an embarassment. The NR cap is back in place. They don't need to use $$$$ to deter NR from applying. USO is going to end up winning the public relations battle if that goes through. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Raising fees to deter non-residents won't work. Just look at the White Mountain Apache Indian tribe's elk hunt fees .... about $14,000 the last I heard .... and they have a long waiting list! There are people out there across these United States to whom even $50,000 is pocket change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
105Coues Report post Posted November 7, 2005 All I will say is that if you are opposed to the fee increases, you had better make yourself heard by emailing or attending one of the meetings. The G&F took a survey last year on the increases and I beleive around 85% of the replies were opposed to it. The only thing they will listen to is a mob of people writing them. The absence of opposition is considered support by the department. I sure hate to see the department make hunting a rich mans sport. A family of four will have to pay an obscene amount of cash to apply for multiple species. At least it is obscene for me, maybe you guys make more than I do? My 2 cents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ernesto C Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Congratulations to all the rich $$ hunters then. I'll quit hunting so I can afford taking my kids sometimes and sometimes me and my wife will take turns to do it. For now on I'm going to start recluting members for the new hunting web site: CottonTail.com Any one want to join? that will be the only game I'll be able to afford. Ernesto C P.S. I just hope that the fee increase wont increase the number of poachers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25-06 Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Congratulations to all the rich $$ hunters then. I'll quit hunting so I can afford taking my kids sometimes and sometimes me and my wife will take turns to do it. For now on I'm going to start recluting members for the new hunting web site: CottonTail.com Any one want to join? that will be the only game I'll be able to afford. Ernesto C P.S. I just hope that the fee increase wont increase the number of poachers. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Right on Ernesto C., 100% with you Cotton Tail.com Ha? Ya might be on to something here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted November 7, 2005 If raising the price means eliminating some non serious hunters and other assorted Bozos from putting in, and raising my chances of getting drawn for a tag, heck Yes. What's worse than paying good money for a tag? It's sitting at home getting a year older and not hunting because you didn't get drawn. Lets face it, many people go out to hunt just to drink beer and get out of the house. You don't need a tag for that, if pricing a few out so be it. A serious hunter will be willing to pay a little more. Lets add some of the things a hunter uses: Jeep $10,000 Rifle & Scope $900 Binosw/pod/head $2,000 Small Binos $400 Tank of gas for Jeep $38 Box of ammo $20 Back pack $200 I'll quit there, but we spend a lot of money on things that we use for a season that lasts from 4 to 16 days that only occurs once a year. All this stuff is no good if you don't get drawn and have to sit out a year or two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted November 7, 2005 DBaz I looked over your last post and would challenge a bit of the content. Nothing personal, but I will use your list for reference and thought since there probably are others thinking similarly. I do not believe the extra hunting fees don't realistically mean you will eliminate the less serious hunters, but only the less financially able. Until I thought about it a while, I agreed with some posts on the tag / license being a small part of the cost, but... Year to year, many items are re-used and as one hunts over time, they aquire many supplies, so perishable items and tags are the things that cost the money each year. Examples: Jeep $10,000 (you probably don't buy a new one every year and use it for more often than hunting 16 days a year. Many hunters use high$ rigs, Quads, but many others use simpler transportation like a 15 year old trucks and boot leather.) Rifle & Scope $900 I would guess you don't replace this yearly and a lot of deer are taken with much lower priced weapons Binosw/pod/head $2,000 Same as the Gun. Hunters using lower quality gear may even be more serious since they have to work harder to get their deer due to lesser equipment. Small Binos $400 Many hunters only have 1 pair of binos. Tank of gas for Jeep $38 Okay, this one is probably a wash. With prices now, many of us will spend way more than that for our gas! Box of ammo $20 Same same Back pack $200 Again, it is not disposable and can be done for much less, but maybe not so comfy. I too believe that poaching will increase be and it is unlikely the extra officers, if any, derived from the new funds will be able to keep up with it. Ernesto Cottontail.com Huh? Hmmm, sounds like there might be some future there. How long till the AZGFD gets fees for them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Nothing infuriates me more than the "non-serious" hunter argument. A father wanting to take his kids hunting once a year, not really caring if they get a deer or not, should not be priced out of the experience. Just because hunting is not the first thought to cross your mind when you wake up in the morning and the last thought you have before falling asleep, does not mean you should be "weeded out" so the fanatic can have a better shot at drawing a tag. There are plenty of people that love hunting, but do not have the means to apply in multiple states, or even apply for multiple species in his/her own state. they want to go on their annula deer hunt just the same as the guy/gal that goes on 3-4 hunting trips a year, thought the country. One day, and I think most of us will see this in our lifetime, there will be a flat out "yes or no" vote on hunting. You are going to want these people to vote yes. If you had been priced out of the game or if your dad never took you hunting because you could not afford $200 for license and tags. how would you vote? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted November 7, 2005 AZlife, All this stuff doesn't get used from year to year if you don't get drawn. Bottom line, it is getting more difficult to get drawn simply because there is more people moving to the state. There is nothing that you or I can do about it. So what are you left with? I do believe that if prices are raised that there will be less Bozos puting in. If someone with limited funds wants to hunt bad enough, I believe that person will find a way to come up with the funds. Lets just say a deer tag costs you $50 to get an opportunity to hunt a few days a year, and compare that to a few things that it will also buy you: Dinner for two at Red Lobster 1 month of cable TV Game of golf for 2 1 seat at a Dback game Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diamondbackaz Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Nothing infuriates me more than the "non-serious" hunter argument. A father wanting to take his kids hunting once a year, not really caring if they get a deer or not, should not be priced out of the experience. You can take the kids out on pig hunt and quail hunt camp outs and have a grand ole time. To get a deer tag and then not really hunt doesn't make much since to me, along with those guys who get a tag and then stay home. Just so that you know, I can't afford to hunt other states so I have get what I can get in my own state. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Lets just say a deer tag costs you $50 to get an opportunity to hunt a few days a year, and compare that to a few things that it will also buy you: Dinner for two at Red Lobster 1 month of cable TV Game of golf for 2 (sign me up! I can barely find a single round for that price) 1 seat at a Dback game <{POST_SNAPBACK}> DBaz I know what you are saying and appreciate the differnet view. In the end, we agree there will be folks in state that are priced out of yearly traditional hunts and those tags will certainly go to someone. Some see it as a bad thing for family and traditions of hunting and others see it as good for other reasons. Times are changing and although I don't think this is for the better, If we fail to stop the change we will have to adapt to them. Some will not be able to. Non Residents may benefit more from it. my .02 is used up for the night. Peace, Out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Here is another question. If the G&F can justify the higher cost of Premium hunts, how come they say nothing about lowering the prices of less desirable Limited Opp. hunts, Cow Elk hunts, low succes rate hunts, etc? Using their logic, why should a unit 4B muzzleloader cow tag cost the same as a unit 7W general season bull tag? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Desertbull Another good question! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 7, 2005 I have asked these question in the form of emails, but have never received a response. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ernesto C Report post Posted November 7, 2005 Diamonbackaz,I'm a serious and responsible hunter and I love to hunt,but my friend;not all of us are as blessed as you are.Hunting is a rich man sport or at least little by little is getting there and is getting out of my hands. So I'm a serious hunter,I dont drink before or during hunts,I always obey hunting laws and respect peoples properties and other hunters as well,I am a resposible hunter etc etc.but does the G&F care?? No I dont have a Jeep but I do have a old Dodge Dakota truck. No I dont have a $900 dll rifle and scope but I did pay a $500 dlls for my scope and rifle. No I dont have a $2000 dlls binos/tripod etc.But I do have a tripod and binos $700.dlls No I dont have a $400 dlls small binos.Heck I dont even have small binos. I dont have a $200 dll back pack,my cost me $50.00 bucks. No I dont have cable or satellite or nothing like that.Local chanels only. No I dont have a cell phone either. Does that qualify me for a premium deer and elk tag or at least for a chance on the drawing?? But sadly Daimonback your posts are correct and right in the money.Hunting is a privilege not a right a privilege for the rich guys. Wil help if I mention that I have two jobs? My kids will love to hunt not only javelinas but deer as well and elk,antelope etc and will love to have a good time on each hunt but will that be thier privilege or their right? Thanks and God bless Ernesto C P.S. I dont play golf either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
