this frustrates me very much. In va a hunting license has gone from $15 to $82 in 35 years and that doesnt include extras Fishing was $5 and now is $42 Saw a thred on bowsite said kansas non resident was going from $400 to $500 I understand that this is classic government instead of controlling there spending they pass on to the sportsman in this case and im tired of it. WHEN DOES IT END. Ok i feel better now. Thanks todd

Gee when I got my first liscense in VA it included hunting and fishing and big game all for $7.50

Yep that was a long time ago

now you gotta buy it all picemeal and last year they even seperated bear as an extra - really adds up too (a lot more than inflation)

all seperate hunting,archery , muzzleloader, deer turkey, bear ,fresh water fishing,salt water fishing,

Keep telling myself its for a good cause and buy one even hunting own place (don't really need for own place) but have been thinking of not donating anymore.

its not that bad everywere. some of the people in charge are either antis or grossly misinformed.. possibly both. Va. is close to D.C...ron

How much has your pay gone up in thirty-five years? Chances are very good it has kept pace or surpassed any hunting license increases relative to pay. If you want to compare, how about cars? How about bows and arrows? How much do you pay for cell phone service, internet fees, ammunition, even coffee and snacks likely exceed that $85.00 in a year's time. I think if you take an even somewhat honest look at costs, you will see it isn't as bad as you would like to think.

Michigan may be discussing LOWERING non-resident licences.

Dan, I remember the $5.00 license in the 1960's but I was only making about $75.00 a week, more or less. Compared to salary increases, license cost here in Pa. has not kept up, and I suspect it's the same in most states. Still cheap here relatively speaking...A non resident license here is $106.90 and allows one deer, and two turkeys...fall and the following spring. Resident license is $20.90. The ninety cents is issuing fees that goes to the PALS system used by a lot of states for electronic licensing. A resident archery tag here is $16.90. Doe permits are based on first come first served for each county and are $6.90 each for residents.

I got a lifetime at age 65, both hunting and fishing, total cost here was $151.00. That was 2011.

Va resident license $23 deer & Turkey tags $23 bear $22 bow $18 xbow $18 Muzzloader $18 bonus tags $18 national forest $8 state waterfowl $25 combo fresh & salt fish $42 trout $? Im sorry but imo this has far exceeded inflation in my area. Where i live starting pay at wallmart tyson or perdue is $9.00 yes you can still buy a house for under100.00. but try livin on $10.00 an hour and have a spare $200 for a piece of paper that alows you to hunt n fish. How about a family of 4 or 5 thats $800 to $1000

Ohio is 24 hunting license and 20 each for deer and turkey permits. 15 for an archery doe permit. My first was 3.75 in 1966. So 3.75 to 24 in 52 years ain't bad. Permits from 10 to 20 in same amount of time. My disabled war vet is license and all permits are free.

I've got a lifetime license in Idaho, but have moved out so I still have to pay non-resident tag fees.

I agree with George and KC. You could buy a new Buick for not much more than $4000 in 1968. I wouldn't call current license prices a bargain, but I'll pay them to hunt. I don't have enough hunting seasons left to get huffy about what it costs to still be able to do this stuff!

I remember when w.va non resident was either 5.50 or 7.50 and Pa non res was 50. Colorado non res was 75 Muley and 125 elk. I stopped going Pa when it went up to 80.

Oh and Ohios permits are for all weapons and all seasons. So you buy a license and deer permit you can hunt archery gun and ml seasons with them. We dont even have archery permits. Guess when you consider the time spent hunting its one of the best bargains going.

Hunting licenses are among the highest value/least expensive item one can buy in just about any state. $85 for a year-long hunting license? It costs more than that to play one round of golf, go out for a decent dinner, go to any professional sporting event,etc.

In most cases, license costs have not kept pace with wages and inflation. Natural resource agencies, like most governmental agencies, are caught between a rock and a hard place. Politicians in efforts to garner votes won't raise taxes, yet everything keeps getting more expensive, including the costs of running state agencies.

It costs $165 for a Patron's license in Wisconsin which incudes archery and gun deer, small game and fishing licenses and a few hunting stamps. It would be a steal at twice the price. I'm happy to pay it.

George, that PA non resident fee is the lowest I've seen. Last time I went to Iowa was in 2011 and it cost me $550+. I may look into going east instead of west.

MP

As a disabled vet I get lifetime free hunting and fishing here in Iowa. No way on earth I could afford to go out of state anymore for anything.

My guess is that most of us don't complain when our wages go up. Too many people think that it's all about them. My concern is not the price of licenses, it is the difficulty many people of moderate income have in finding a place to hunt. Strip public land from the public and then all your left with is high dollar leases.

A coke cost me a dime in 1972 ,now it cost me a $1.89,inflation.sucks but with $1000.00 hunting clubs the norm it seems about right.

not my intention to get into a argument but the 85 is the minimum amount add this up liscense 23 deer & Turkey 23 bow 18 muzzle Loader18 thats (82) bonus tags 18 bear 22 national forest 8 state duck stamp 25 fed duck 25 fish 42. NOW WERE AT $222. Now do your inflation index !!!

I think when Pa went up to 80 bucks was around 80 or 81 so a 27 dollar increase over 37 years ain't half bad for a non res.

"Michigan may be discussing LOWERING non- resident licences."

And overall, Michigan hunting and fishing licenses have only increased about one- third the rate of inflation since 1970.

Here in NY we pay around 100 bucks but that is everything, bow, muzzleloader big game which includes bear and deer tags. It also includes fishing. I hunt and fish at least 110 days a year, that is less then a dollar a day!! It is actually a great deal!! I have no clue how anyone can complain. I hunt the mid west quite a bit and Ohio, Indiana are very reasonable for NR deer hunting. Kansas is pricey as an either sex tag with a doe tag and the license will run right near 500. Nebraska and South Dakota are a bit more then Ohio but still under $300. Iowa ends up costing quite a bit as I am buying points at 55 bucks a piece, times 3 is $165 then when I draw plus the license I will have $600 plus into it. Too me it is worth the chance at a giant. I have seen some true giants in Kansas and have killed a few as well. Like George said I know folks who spend way more then $500 on Starbucks coffee in a year or take out food. Having to buy my tags and licenses to me is privilege too me. Shawn

I guess we were lucky to retire in Idaho. I get a disabled vet, combo hunting and fishing license thats good for 3 years for $11.50 and all my tags are half price…no complaints here!

Hunting and fishing licenses are a bargain, prices should be increased for residents and nonresidents.

Here in Texas a resident license is $25 and unless you have your own property, you'll have to hunt PUBLIC LANDS, which is an extra $48 stamp. Brings the total to a nice $73 for residents to hunt.

Fish is also $25.

Every single year fewer and fewer hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Less and less young people are being taught to hunt and fish or even want to learn and fewer hunters are choosing to participate any longer.

Whether it's the case in your area, hunting is increasingly being seen as being too expensive and more and more a sport or hobby for the better off among us. There's a variety of reasons for it. That's for another debate as many don't even agree there is a problem at all.

25 years from now hunting will be something that the vast majority of kids will never, ever experience in their entire lives.

Larry

which is cheaper a ticket ,, loss of hunting/fishing privilege or license / tag

Arizona Game and Fish gets no tax dollars. Their monies come from licences and fees from tags. There are some other sources of income like big game tag raffles but otherwise a stand alone state department. One reason our fees here are not the cheapest. There are lifetime licenses available for those with 20 years here and over 65. Vets rated by VA at 100% disability are also free for licenses but pay for any tags. How about your state/states? Where does your state game and Fish receive its monies from?

How much did a truck cost 35 years ago?

I don't mind a license fee increase when I see the state game commission doing something with the extra money to benefit wildlife. Habitat improvements, extra wardens patrolling the rivers/woods, etc. I don't like it when an increase happens and then nothing goes to show for it. Kinda makes a guy think some desk job/pencil pusher is getting a hefty raise or something...

What does the cost of a truck have to do with the cost of a piece of paper in your wallet. That allows you to kill an animal on private land that the state says it owns because its free range

Under that line of thinking the cost of your drivers license should go up so the police can get some new cars

The piece of paper is not what you're buying. You're paying for the opportunity to hunt. The paper is just proof that you paid the fee.

MP

I could possibly be more sympathetic if some of these same folks weren't spending more money on fast food in a years time by far than a license fee. And anytime you want to discuss average wages, we can talk about the area where I live. Family income is less than $40,000 in our county. There are things more valuable than money however, and that is why we choose to live here. Let's see, $85.00 means you need to save $1.63 each week to pay for that. I would bet that most here spend more than that for coffee or soft drinks...probably in one day.

Yup license fees have roughly matched inflation. HOWEVER, now you pay additional fees, that weren't originally in the deal.

Off topic. Fees largely pay for salaries, retirements, vehicles, overhead, etc. Game animals don't get fed, they live off the land as they always have. Fish DO get raised and fed, until released. Fish and game have always taken care of themselves, and they always will. Man doesn't need to manage them. BUT, if there were no fish and game laws sportsmen would be screwed all around, due to sheer number of people involved. 150 years ago man did pretty much whatever he wanted and certainly paid no fees. But look at the decimation.

Financially there are all kind of ways to analyze and justify how money gets spent. You can really put any spin on it to illustrate your point, either side. The fact is, it IS government, and most of us here do not like gov't waste in general. We love our country, but basically despise our gov't. All gov't fees are suspect to my way of thinking. Tax money- fees- is ALWAYs squandered to some degree. jmo ymmv

i agree 100% that without management takers will take more than their share. What gets me is for example 2 years agow they seperated bear from deer & turkey. Its been deer bear turkey for as long as i remember now $22 more next most of my friends & myself think Turkey will be next so another $22 if im right which thats $44 increase in just 3 years

You can argue taxes and privilege fees until you are blue in the face, but that won't alter anything. Taxes are as old as recorded civilization, as old as written records. You can also debate hunting as a right or hunting as a privilege. Again, it has always been a privilege, granted by the state. Arguing against that will change nothing. Medieval England, ancient Egypt, hunting by commoners was punishable by death. Read some history, y'all.

I have paid license fees, happily, for almost fifty years, to support wildlife research, stocking programs, agricultural subsidy programs to benefit wildlife, and enforcement to prevent the wanton poaching of game animals, night hunting, etc.

As sportsmen, we have responsibilities. And I can assure you, nowhere in the U.S. is hunting a "right" granted by God, or whatever. The quickest way to lose the privilege of hunting and fishing is to believe otherwise.

Here in California we used to be able to buy 5 pig tags for $8 now it's $20 for one and everything else has gone up proportionally cost a couple hundred plus to get all my tags and license. More hunters and more $ I'm all for the higher price tag as long as it benefits the game for future generations.

They will continue to increase, it's only a matter of how much. When was the last time you saw government, ANY government, make do with less? It never happens, ever. Once a fee or tax is passed, it will be there in perpetuity. It almost never gets rescinded or even reduced.

One more thing, when you talk about taxes and budgets and how government deals with these things....you need to be aware of how things REALLY operate. You need to know what the terms BASELINE BUDGETING means. I know you didn't come here for a macro economics lesson, or is that MICRO....hell I don't know. But, when you discuss these things with your offline buds or families, you can dazzle them with your incredible grasp of government budgeting and how our tax dollars are wasted.

Baseline Budgeting is how the Congress and the various departments of the Federal Government figure how much money they "require" in the next years fiscal year budget plan that they submit.

When you hear some democRAT come out to a microphone and a phalanx of TV cameras and reporters and says "this President and his party are cutting the budget for head start or the school lunch program and our kids are going to go hungry for it." "They are cutting 10% off of their budget and that's money that they have to have to feed our kids."

OK, when any of these lawmakers (mostly democrats) say stuff like that and and preach about how the School Lunch program is being cut by 20%, you need to know that the program is NOT ACTUALLY going to be cut by 20%. What they are talking about is that the amount of INCREASE in FUNDS that an agency EXPECTED to get the next fiscal year, is what gets cut, NOT the actual money they get.

Lets say that the School Lunch program gets 10 billion and the next year they EXPECT to get 15 billion. Well President Grinch comes along and says 'We've gotta cut the federal budget" and then says that he is going to CUT the School Lunch program by 10%. The democRATS want people to believe that the next year the school lunch program is going to have make due with 10 billion less 10% or 9 billion dollars for the next year. Which would be an ACTUAL CUT in budgeting. What actually happens is that the School Lunch program was EXPECTING to get 15 Billion the following year and since President Grinch is cutting all federal programs by 10%, the School Lunch program will actually get 15 less 10% or 13.5 Billion dollars.

SO....in this hypothetical the School lunch program in one year got 10 billion and in the next year they got 13.5 billion, but in DC speak, that's termed a CUT because what they EXPECTED TO GET WAS CUT, and NOT the actual funds they were getting.

That's how the entire Federal and State Governments are ran and it's called BASELINE BUDGETING.

You see, ONLY in DC can an INCREASE in funding from one year to the next be called a CUT IN FUNDING. It's a wonderful trick that was implemented to make people believe that the government is constantly cutting back and cutting funding to agencies and programs, when they're not. Government NEVER has to due with less money and will never do it. They ALWAYS NEED MORE.

That's my contribution for the night. You may return to your regularly scheduled programming or you can remove the toothpicks from your eyelids and head to bed.

Have a good one. Larry

Wonder what our native American ancestors paid for their "licenses" since some of you are brainwashed into thinking everyone has always been taxed.

Root canals wete cheaper in the 60's too.

I have heard guys here in Wv say that won't buy a license because a ticket for not having it is cheaper. I can't believe that.

I am originally from West Virginia, Huntington to be exact. When I was in college at Marshall U. and in my fraternity, I had brothers that were from all over West Virginia. The coal fields, the mountains, the wealthy areas to the poorest and I heard stories like that all the time.

In fact there was a time when bear gall bladders were being taken from the black bears and sold to the Chinese for their medicine that they thought makes your wiener bigger and harder! They were finding dead bears all over the place up in the wilds of the state. It would make it onto the local news at times too.

I will never forget one guy that I saw that was interviewed about his actions in taking bears to just get their gall bladders to sell. He wholeheartedly believed that he was allowed to kill as many black bears as he wanted, that they were just animals and that man has dominion over all the animals. He didn't care that he was caught and fined. He told the newsman interviewing him that it wouldn't slow him down one bit, he would be back in the woods as soon as he could to get more gall bladders.

Sadly there are LOTS of people like that in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and the Carolinas. They just don't care about any wildlife laws or agents that enforce them. They believe that animals are beneath man and therefore we can do whatever we want with them, like any other resource that you own. They grew up like that and they'll die like that. You could catch them 100 times and fine them into oblivion, it ain't gonna change their behavior or beliefs. In fact, what spurs that garbage on is that they need the money, so they know that they can make a good buck from selling frozen black bear gall bladders and they do it. Keeps 'em in booze.

Sad but true.

Larry

Off topic.

I had a good buddy on the music staff at the Air Force Academy. He flat out told me at the end of the fiscal year his department ordered all manner of items, just to make sure they got funded the same amount the next year. I don't mean just a few grand in extras, I mean BIG expenditures.

You see in real life, where you have to produce something to make a living, in a competitive environment, there is little room for massive squandering. You have to watch the bottom line, and you do what is best for YOU. In gov't they just continue to create more and more fees, (like license add ons and instead of a broad general license, a license for everything they can get away with.

Nope, the real world, and that my friends includes the natural world, not just man created gov't, doesn't roll that way. It is survival of the fittest.

Earning is one thing, taxation and fees is another. And that is nothing new brothers, it has gone on since man created gov't.

I don't mind my resident Wisconsin tag costs, but would need to put a kidney on Ebay to afford many out of state elk tags.

We're becoming Europe whereby hunting is approaching a rich man's fancy.

Mine was $62.50 in Mass. That's $45 for sporting (hunt/fish combo) $5.10 each for archery and muzzle-loader, $5 each for bear and turkey permits. If I get drawn for a doe tag later this year it will be $5 more.

In a couple years the main license price drops for 65-year-olds, and if I make it to 70 it's free ;-)

I haven't hunted out of state in several years, sticker shock...

For 96.00 in MI

I get 2 Deer tags, either sex in Archery. Fishing license, salmon/trout stamp inc. Small Game license Trapping Migratory Bird license Spring turkey license

I spend way more than 100days a year doing these activities.

My license fees, and those of other Michigan hunters are all that supports our MI Department of Natural resources?. They get no general fund funding. So, we as hunters support all DNR work. I guess I don't have a single problem with our fees. Not one.

Let's see. Bought my first brandy-new car in '68, a Pontiac LeMans, OC 6, with three on the floor, bucket seats, $2,800. Not sure of gas but I'm thinking probably around $.35/gal. Maybe less.

Unfortunately, too many of us can't seem to accept the fact that the cost of everything has gone up, to include hunting and fishing licenses. But fortunately for me, at my age, depending on your definition of fortunate, I get a break on the cost of pursuing my outdoor hobbies. Extremely thankful for the ability to do so as the opposite isn't a voluntary option.

Hope to be able to pay for my licenses and tags for many years to come.

my apologes to the state of Va. I thout op was speaking of a basic hunting licence be $85 and $400!...ron

I have a friend in Switzerland who cannot hunt in his home country. It's Africa or North America. You think you have to pay a lot. Think about it, Most people in most countries can't even think about getting up early to sit in a turkey blind, or build a food plot. How much did all your tackle cost, tree stand, blinds, scents, thermal cells, etc. Your F&G Dept can't function on good will.

The license is the cheap part.

Mine went way down this year for Arkansas. When I changed my residency to AR I now get a LIFETIME hunting and fishing license for $35.50 (over 65). I have to buy nonresident Texas license for about $400 a year though.

Still a good deal from my seat. I fish and hunt so much that it translates to a few cents each trip out. That's not the same scenario for everybody, I understand that.

I do not feel sorry for the whiners, don't buy a license and don't hunt if you don't like it. Simple!! Shawn

Yeah, it's tough! Had to pay $25 for a lifetime Oklahoma hunting and fishing license when I went back home to work in OK a few back. My older brother paid less for his but they raised the fee for us baby boomers when I got eligible. A FL citizen, they have an over 70 is free situation for fresh water fishing, which is good. In NY, although I own a summer home in the Adirwhodacks, may have to pay up to $35 this summer on fishing licenses and fees. Will be out of there by hunting season. Just stay there until the apples get ripe.

SL probably said it best. The license is the least expensive part of hunting.

Contrary to al snow's assurance, 21 States in the US have Constitutional provisions for the right to hunt and fish. Vermont being the first to do so in 1777.

Those Constitutions do not provide the birth right. They recognize the need for protecting the birth right against misinformed or otherwise twisted minds.

You can always just poach and pay the fine when you get caught, if you you think the cost is unfair. As far as the added cost for family members most state do not charge children under 16 . Beyond 16 we'll get a part time job or divert money spent on cell phones and video games .

i dont feel that its whining when i can buy a non resident combo license in md for less than it cost me to hunt in the state va that i live in & pay taxes in the argument is not the value its the principal. I get more than my moneys worth i do deer herd controll on a cattle farm in a county (loudin)that has (8) months legal deer season and a plant nursery 2 minutes from my house i kill more deer in a year than most do in 10

Natives didn't pay for a license because there was no need for one. But when white people's population started to rise they killed off most of the game. Some states had no large game left at all. So white people proved too stupid to not overhunt and we needed laws and someone to enforce those laws. With that comes needing money to pay salarys and for habitat. Yep some land owners now have a god complex n think they own the animals. Sounds like at least one of those is posting in this thread. The people who bought licenses payed for the comeback of those animals you like you call yours. So reimburse everyone and you can have em,lol.

Lol poaching fines in most states are no longer a drop in the bucket. You pay not only the fine but you also pay for the value of the animal if you kill one. One guy paid a little over 5000 dollars. I would think a hunting license would be cheaper.

beleive it or not deer love to eat roses and it gives the venison a flowery aftertaste hahaha!!!!!

License fees are money well spent as far as I'm concerned. Suburban sprawl is a greater threat to hunters than increasing cost of licenses.

Can't complain about Missouri. When you turn 66 you no longer need a hunting or fishing license and archery tags are $19 and it's good for two any deer and two turkeys. I believe doe permits are $7 each.

Nothing is going to stop everything keeps escalating. Its just how things are its terrible.

I am not sure what will it be like yet when I turn 65 in Jan but hope I can get some breaks? If I make to that? Schools still out on that one.LOL

Todd, not saying you where one of the whiners(well maybe a little)LOL!! I just mean it is cheap to hunt in most all states. The average conservation officer in NY makes 60 grand a year plus overtime. The biologist make a lot more then that. Where is the money supposed to come from>> NY does a shatty job managing its deer herds but without them there would be few if any deer. Other animals as well. Sorry but look at other countries where only the truly wealthy can hunt. We have it very good!! I too kill more deer in a year then a lot of folks will in ten years. I have slowed a bit though as I just cannot use more then 5 deer a year. 200#s of deer meat is less then 50 cents a pound for me and our license includes a lot more then just deer!! Bear, turkey, small game, fishing!! Again if any body whines about the cost of a license quit hunting! Shawn

Get a laugh out of "biblical" justification for this and that. Forget for a moment the moral part..how about the multiple wives and slaves part?

Then of course there's the "biblical" prohibition against shellfish and pigs. :-) :-) :-)

Times change. In the Bible they changed with the new covenant ...and the most of the old laws and prohibitions didn't apply to gentiles (gentile=Redneck for all practical purposes).

I hear what you're saying, but in comparison to everything else a fishing license is still one of the best damn deals out there when you consider enjoyment vs. cost. Hunting licenses, same, although some states are getting carried away yet your home state doesn't reciprocate. How would you like to be me, from Minnesota with a cabin in Wisconsin...in Wisconsin they stick it to the out of stater and in Minnesota they stick it to their residents...I'm getting a raw deal on both sides of the river...but it's still worth the price of admission as far as I'm concerned. For under $500/year I can hunt/fish both states for a multitude of game. Cheaper than a weekend at the State Fair or Vegas!

They may have gone up at the same rate as the 70's but us retired folks pay went down. In Michigan you realize a lower price after you turn 65. But Michigan clips you with a bunch of lottery fees if you want to hunt elk, bear and turkey. They call it a point system. It would cost me $75.00 over 15 years to put in for a point to hunt bear in the lower peninsula. It takes about 15 points/years to draw a bear tag in the lower.

What does go up and stays up even for retirees are the off road vehicle stickers and off road trail stickers.

But it beats staying home.

Just bought my seniors life time license for hunting,fresh water and salt water fishing in South Carolina. $9.00

Here in Florida my total annual fishing and hunting licenses went from about $90 to $0. Unfortunately I had to turn 65 to make that happen!

Resident hunting fees remain one of the best recreational deals available. Non-resident fees are pretty salty and are one of the reasons those who live out west have lower resident fees.

Prices and costs go up. Staff are at least 80% of a FW Agency's expense. Do people expect to make the same pay from year to year? Food, gas, housing, education, etc. all go up from year to year.

In two years I could buy a senior hunting and fishing license for $7.50 that covers all except Federal Duck stamp. I'd be ashamed to do that and won't. Just because I've paid these fees for 45+ years doesn't mean I've earned a break as I age. Some seniors think they shouldn't even pay $7.50, that it should be free. I suppose they should get their shotgun shells, arrows, and fishing lures for free too. Most retirees I know can better afford the full prices than the young people we're all desperate to recruit.

I'll continue to pay regular fees because its a great deal and wildlife conservation isn't free.

And Pa still refuses to let ya kill a 2nd buck, but shoot up the does, What a joke, all about the $$$$ ,,, I've hunted our neighboring state of Md most my life , can kill 4 buck I believe, they know how to manage ......

And Pa still refuses to let ya kill a 2nd buck, but shoot up the does, What a joke, all about the $$$$ ,,, I've hunted our neighboring state of Md most my life , can kill 4 buck I believe, they know how to manage ......

I am sorry, it is still one of the best deals going. I just spent a weekend in NY actually onlypart Sat and Sunday. 50 bucks to park for a ball game, 2 shatty seats and a few cocktails, gas down and back. It cost me well over $500. I can and have hunted 3 different states in the midwest for the whole month of Nov. and it cost me a shade under 3 grand. That is everything, license, tags, room, gas, food the whole kit and kaboodle. That too me is a bargain!! Shawn

I can't complain about Arizona's license fees, as @ 70 I got a pioneer license for rest of my life for $4. But a decade or so ago I was involved or at least informed about the politics of the game and fish. They state that your license fees go to financing them. But in actually back then all funds went to the state treasurer and the state desided how much money the AZGF got. Sound fermilure (social security). Also the AZGF has acquired many expenses not related to hunting spieses i.e. The nongame branch. While I agree with the importance of this branch, some might question money spent on these programs.

Item I am 10-15 years out from current knowledge. RonL

In AZ we have a lot of public hunting land so I think fees are a darn good day

Sorry, but if anyone thinks that a state law guarantees hunting as an inalienable right, a basic human right, think again. And read your state's regs again. You have the "right" to hunt in your state as long as you secure a state license, pay the taxes assessed by the state for hunting privileges, respect bag limits, obey all game laws to the letter, obey federal laws regarding migratory birds, buy a federal waterfowl stamp, and hunt in designated areas. That sure sounds more like a privilige to me than a right. If you don't follow these rules, your state can take away your "right" to hunt. That means that your right is a privilige, subject to the whims of the state and the federal government. Learn the laws in this country. Assuming that you have all these rights is the quickest way to lose them.

And we wonder why people just go outlaw !! The working man and woman are being squeezed out. I can't imagine trying to support young kids and justify the output on what a lot of kids are making $$ wise. I know when my kids were at home license and tag money was a big expense. Usually it was deer tags x4 , elk tags x3, etc. Plus the tag application fees. Not to mention spring turkey and bear and and .

I do need to add that Oregon did step up and start selling a youth licence and tag package that really helped out a lot. I hope other states are doing the same.

In Michigan the youth license use to be reasonable now they jacked the prices up to the adult costs which means an 11 year old pays the same as an adult.

How many of you have cell phones...tablets, etc. How much is your fees per month for those? How many have cable or satellite television? How much is your fees per month for those? Yeah. And license cost is a bigger issue? I think many here are ignoring a lot of other expenses they gladly pay to whine about the cost of hunting license.

If hunting was a right and treated that way, we wouldn't have any game to hunt as people would just shoot what they want when they wanted to. Thankfully some folks were smart enough to create laws to protect the game, which was damn near exterminated before those laws were enacted. So bitch away folks, while you complain to others via text on your I-Phone that costs twenty times a year what a license to hunt deer costs. Good grief.

I checked and it is the same price for a 10 year old not an 11 year old. The fees went from $7.50 to $24.50 plus a 11.00 base license which is around a 300% increase.

I figure it this way, "If you want to play, then you have to pay!" It's all good.

I love being out and hunting and fishing so much that it doesn't matter what it would cost, I would gladly pay it to keep doing what I love!!!!!!!

I remember when a quarter would buy you a hamburger at McDonalds or a gallon of gasoline at the local filling station. $100 would buy you a top of the line bow from pretty much every bow manufacturer.

People constantly use their phones, and it is a rare family that doesn't have satellite or cable tv. TV and phone use is totally a part of everyday life in the city. It is extremely rare for an individual to not have a cell phone nowadays. In fact I don't know a person that does not have cell phone, Licenses for hunting and fishing are used a very small fraction in comparison.

I have no problem paying for my licenses, but steadily escalating fees to fish areas that used to be free, that can be irritating, considering there is also a substantial steadily escalating fee to camp. Not once have I witnessed any work actually being done in any of these fee areas.

PA: "Resident Junior Combination License ($9.90): Issued to bona fide residents of Pennsylvania ages 12 through 16. Eleven- year-olds may apply for a junior combination license if they reach age 12 by June 30 of the current license year and have successfully completed the required Hunter-Trapper Education Course.

The actual privileges granted to the junior combination license holder may not be exercised until he or she reaches age 12. In addition to the junior applicant's signature, a parent or guardian must sign the license to validate it and the information provided before the junior license holder goes afield.

Combination licenses grant hunting, furtaker, archery and muzzleloader privileges. Combination licenses do not include bear, migratory game bird, special spring gobbler or antlerless deer license privileges. This license includes one antlered deer tag, one fall turkey tag, one spring turkey tag and small game hunting privileges for one license year."

I should have bought a lifetime license back 35 years ago for $50 in NY. Wish I had, 'cept I never thought I'd move back to NY. That's what I get for thinking. It's still cheaper than buying groceries, and a helluva lot more fun.

And yeah, quit whining and go earn some money if you want to hunt. At least we have the option. We don't need no stinking snowflakes in our ranks. No living off the system when it comes to hunting. Someone said cars were once $2500., and gas was $.35, so everything has gone up, including wages. Get a job, buy a license, and go hunt after work.

I basically chalk this up to effect of huge population increase. The grid of rules, regs, useage fees increases with the population. So does the impact on the resource, particulary near major metro areas, like here in the front range corridor of CO. Tied in with this is the amount of backcountry noise, gunfire and atvs motorcycles, and general hell raising in the kiddies playground. The backcountry within an hours drive of big city, is no longer quiet.

I wish there was a solitude fee. I'd gladly pay it. Even church is noisy now.

Bob, You have to go farther than one hour. I'm quite sure that is possible in Colorado, no? I found an awful lot of quite when I was there. I can even find silence an hour from where I live in central NY, so it HAS to be available in Colorado. I wish I was there...Telluride maybe. Costs more to live there, but its worth it. The hunting alone is worth it.

"In Michigan the youth license use to be reasonable now they jacked the prices up to the adult costs which means an 11 year old pays the same as an adult. "

Take that kid to a 2hr movie and you'll pay more than that.

And kids still fish free through the age of 17.

Also, don't get me stated on seniors. Statistically theyre the most well off demographic in the country...so you'll get no pity party from me.

Also, you can buy a bear tag over the counter for the UP, or a 3rd season turkey tag over the counter with no need for an application.

We have only 2000(+/-200) elk in this state...of course they're going to have a draw to see what lucky 150 hunters get in on the action. Just be lucky that we're not like some states out west that require you to apply for the full license cost, only getting your money back if you don't draw a tag...and if you draw a tag, you don't get your money back, regardless of you make the hunt or not.

I'd rather an individual have to pay fees for things like trail riding ATV's rather than have it come out of my income taxes. Same goes for state parks and the like. That way I KNOW where my money is going...which, if you recall, the DNR has to publicly account for every penny it spends as part of the last license fee package. Money is earmarked and it must be spent for those projects. So none of that ATV fee money is going to something else...it's only going to trail expansion, trail maintenance, and CO enforcement to keep those trails safe.

Michigan is one of the cheapest states to hunt for what we all have to offer. So why complain? I mean how negative must ones life have to be to complain about little thigns like this? Complain about something real.

doc, I agree, well said. Same for NY, except the taxes maybe, but even with that, user fees are the best way to go, and some taxes and fees usually get put to some good use, except for maybe the Thruway, which is in lousy shape near where I live. Hunting fees and licenses are the least of my worries. Look at the taxes - property and school, and then go whine (here in NY that is). I wish NY had an elk intro. program planned. I'd pay another triple figure $$$ to hunt them here. They'd thrive in the 'dacks and Catskills. But NOOO...

Thanks for reminding me how easy I have it doc. I didn't realize that I was part of the most WELL OFF demographic in the state.

"Also, don't get me stated on seniors. Statistically theyre the most well off demographic in the country...so you'll get no pity party from me"

Is that crack or real cocaine ur on? Just wondered since most seniors live on around 1500 or less per month, and that's the money they paid into it, not an entitlement. Most working people live on double that as a minimum and most make much more.

"and if you draw a tag, you don't get your money back, regardless of you make the hunt or not"

Well duhhh. No one gives your money back if you draw and can't make the hunt. Yep must be crack to make a person so delusional.

"I wish NY had an elk intro. program planned. I'd pay another triple figure $$$ to hunt them here."

Michigans elk hunt program, along with our bear and turkey management programs are used as a gold standard in wildlife biology programs throughout the country.

I've been fortunate to experience both an elk hunt here in Northern MI as well as a bear hunt in my very limited raw area Baldwin Unit, also of Northern MI.

The elk hunt, all hunters who draw each year are required to attend a one time orientation put on by the DNR. In attendance are dozens of Wildlife bios and techs, CO's, etc. You are assigned a week long season either in August or December. The DNR has nearly 100 boots on the ground in the handful county region where the elk heard is contained(through proper management). As soon as you kill an elk, you're required to contact the DNR base station and give them directions or GPS coordinates to your location. Before you can move the animal a Bio or Tech must meet you at the kill site, takes biological samples, a tooth, takes your information etc and all of that data is utilized to measure health of the heard, areas where hunters should focus on, etc. It's incredibly hands on. This is a once in lifetime hunt as well...once you draw, you're unable to apply again. Again, the lottery is necessary to keep the elk program going forward.

I also live in an 8 county area where the bear population is decent, but not crazy high. For the last 20years, only 60-80 tags have been available to draw. The DNR established a point system, where you must enter every year to maintain your points and your place in the lottery. My FIL drew a Baldwin unit tag back in 2008 and self guided with the assistance of my wife and I, he was able to arrow a beautiful mature boar on public land in Lake County. My wife has enough points this year where she is guaranteed to draw a tag. So we'll have another opportunity for this nearly once in a lifetime opportunity. Apparently there are some who don't approve of these limited opportunity hunts and thinks everyone should be able to buy over the counter and have a crack without a lottery.

"People on the leading edge of the baby boom and those born during World War II — the 25 million Americans now between the ages of 65 and 74 — have emerged as particularly well positioned in the nation’s economic timeline. While there are plenty of individual exceptions, as a group they are better off financially than younger generations and will enjoy a more successful old age than future ones, even those merely a decade younger." https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/15/business/economy/american-seniors-enjoy-the-middle-class-life.html?_r=0

There are many other studies available that show Seniors are economically the most well off demographic in the country. Yes, you are individual exceptions, but compared to us younger demographics(not me, I'm an individual exception in my own right...debt is dumb, cash is king), seniors as a group are the last generation to widely enjoy a traditional pension, and are prime beneficiaries of a government safety net targeted at older Americans...not to mention typically having no debt and have profited from the long riser in property values that preceded the recession.

So again, complaining about having to pay 4.00 for the chance to draw once in a lifetime hunts for Bear and Elk because you're a senior on a fixed income?...well, here, let me play you a song...

I can say that NY does have 'unlimited' bear hunting opportunities, for fall only. I don't even go bear hunting but could do so easily within a half hour from home. It is even open in my home area, now statewide for the most part, but few bears come around where I live. I just need to get my fanny back out west and hunt elk there instead of the wishful thinking of ever having elk in NY. Michigan is a nice place, the UP is good for sportsmen and women, but I thought there'd be more bears and bear hunting opportunity there. Seems pretty remote and thought there were lots of bears there. As a F&W biologist I wouldn't object to the hands on elk hunt, its probably the only way to keep them from all being poached or killed by cars. I think the hassle is worth it for the herd, and for the opportunity to hunt the limited numbers.

You're saying ww2 and you're right about their retirements but you got the age group way wrong. I'm 63 and in the first generation to have retirement either pulled or bought out. The group you're speaking of is in their 70s and yes had good retirements and low cost of living for most their lives. And if you read my posts you'd see I didn't complain but think hunting is one of the best deals going

What you wrote about the elk is not true. I drew once and can pay the lottery chance to draw again. When I went to the half day seminar there was maybe 6 DNR employees in attendance.

My complaint is not so much about buying a lottery for bear and for elk and for turkey but the 300% increase in licenses fees for a 10 year old to hunt. What in todays economy goes up 300% from one year to the next?

Maybe that fee does not mean much for your violin playing hind end but to those of us on fixed income, who help our grandkids by paying for their licenses and lottery chances means something. But then again what do I know compared to a park ranger.

Many states have diverted license fees into the general state treasury. At that point it becomes a tax and all politicians view tax as revenue. Revenue that they can then divert towards their special friends for special projects. The to them the DNR is a state controlled cash cow.

I'd pay a little more for my hunting and fishing license long before i'd shell out the money they want for these stupid fancy phones That everybody seems to be glued to these days.

Whether your license dollars end up in the state coffers or not, they may not be spent on anything other than approved FW expenses. If they do the Feds will require repayment of Excise Tax fees (millions of dollars) sent to states. Ask Kansas. They had to repeat about 4 Million about 20 years ago.

The state reps and senators like to play like they control those dollars, and in many they do allocate them but they can't spend those dollars.

I have around 165 bucks invested in points for Iowa. I will draw next year, Tag and License close to 800 bucks. My wife and I pay 1200 for our phones year. I will hunt for 3 weeks next year in big buck country and my total cost will around 2 grand. How can anyone say that is expensive. 100 bucks a day to have the time of my life, hell dinner and a movie with the old lady costs 60 bucks and that is if ya eat garbage like Applebees or some crap. Shawn

Just when I said there are no bears where I live, WKTV Utica has a news story last night on a bear that was caught on camera just outside of Westmoreland, NY, about two miles from our house on the same road. He tore up some guys bird feeders. Now that is pretty cool. Also, about three years ago, there was bull moose sighted down about the same area on Obrien Road. This bear was on the corner of West Carter Rd., and Lawrence St. I can bearly believe it... ;^)

WOW, have we completely forgotten the concept of inflation? Most "back in my day" costs are almost EXACTLY the same in today's dollars when properly indexed. I'm ashamed of where common sense has gone in this country...

Bob has a point about population increases. Admittedly Phoenix is a little different than most other places in the country but in 1959 when I moved here the population was 212,000, 2016 senses was 4,574,351. Which is why getting an elk tag ain't easy.

i started this thread and its led to some very interesting conversation the one thing i have to disagree with is the equil to inflation aspect. Becouse that would depend on your current income compared to many years agow. Use me as an example. In 2010 i was hauling seafood from va to Boston 2-3 trips a week i made 70.000 plus a year. I had a hart attack and decided stress was no longer going to be part of my life now i make less than 35.000 living in the country. when i was 22 years old in Fairfax county va i made more money than i do now liscense then 15 now over 100 on less income ..... Let me add to that. That i live according to my income i grow catch & kill 90% of my food i drive a 1988 bronko 11 and recently went 44 days on 1 tank of gas my house is 24'×24' and yes i can aford my hunting liscense but i still feel that (in va) the cost to hunt & fish for a tax paying (resident) is ridicules thanks todd

another aspect on inflation. Is it based on a dnr officers Financial needs livin i northern va or in the middle of nowhere in sw va ...or based on someone making 100.000 living in the city or someone in the country making 20.000. The cost of the liscense stays the same state wide. taxes vary based on property values & income requirements for a region yet hunting fees do not. imo the inflation aspect does not hold water

"I think many here are ignoring a lot of other expenses they gladly pay to whine about the cost of hunting license."

Amen.

People piss and moan about license fees, but how many tree stands do they own? How many trail cams? How many feeders? How many bags of corn do they buy in a year to turn their "hunting" experience into something about as exciting as shooting fish in a barrel? And fer Chrissakes - how many bows and how many arrows do you suppose they have gathering dust in their Man Caves? How many of those arrows are $10/shaft and tipped with $15 broadheads?

No matter who you are, there's always somebody who makes more money than you do, and there's always somebody who has figured out how to get by on less. I hurt for those who have trouble making ends meet because I know what it's like. Been there, done that, and most days I do it all over again because the cost of living around here is Stupid High. But we all make our own choices in when you get right down to it, hunting is recreation; and it's a type of recreation that could not exist without proper regulation, and that costs money. If you can be successful enough in the field that wild meat cost you less per pound - ALL IN - than grocery store protein, you are one lucky summygun. If you can't, then you have to reexamine your choices or quit.

Just seems a little odd to think that anyone who truly NEEDS to come out ahead on the cost of a hunting license would list "Trad Archery" as his method of choice.

Matt, you mentioned something about having a beer someday..if I ever get down that way. Yer statement makes perfect sense and I gotta feeling we think alike often.

As George stated, here in Pa., for @$50, I can hunt deer from mid -September through he end of January. That gives me the opportunity to kill one buck, and two does, plus various small game limits. It also gives me a turkey in the fall and spring, and gives me 30 days in the Spring to hunt. That provides me with close to five months of hunting. My friends and I pay @$50 for 18 holes of golf on decent courses here. So for the same $$, I can hunt 5 months for the cost of four hours of golf for one day!

The GsmeComission relies on license sales to fund the purchase and upkeep of game lands, as well as habitat and wildlife maintenance.

Not a bad deal in my book. Based on how much people spend on archery equipment, transportation, etc, it appears to me license costs are the least of my expenses.

I agree that everything we buy goes up in price, has to, BUT I would like to know what was going thru the guys head in the meeting when he decided to charge a 10 yr old kid $7.50 one year and then raise that 10 year old kids license fee to $24.50 the next year.

Like I wrote, what goes up 300% in one year?

How does that increase compute?

Likewise Lee, in NY I pay $86 for everything, and can get up to 4 deer, (two bucks), 4 turkey (2 spring, 2 or maybe 1 now, fall), small game, fishing, frogs, etc. Hunt with multiple weapons in multiple seasons (try that in Washington - NOT). Another small fee for trapping if I choose. For crying out loud, ya spend that much at a GOOD restaurant in one night for a couple, not even counting any kids. And if you don't want to spend $24.50 for a 10 yo kid to hunt, move to NY!!! They can't hunt here! hahahahahaha! Quit CRYIN' about it... :^)

Not crying about it. This is a matter for discussion. The norm was, in Michigan you couldn't hunt until age 14 then they started some programs to get out young ones involved, something your GREAT state may want to try. There is NO age limit for our kids to start hunting. If you child can pull a trigger at the age of 2 they can hunt.

Families with 6 kids, two adults living on one income may have some financial concerns about buying 8 licenses every year. Those fees add up. You may have money to burn but most responsible adults raising families do not.

It is what it is, I buy all the grand kids licenses anyway to help out.

Was referring to the general 'populus' of whining about costs - not singling anyone out, and was kidding anyway. I too do realize the implications of limited income, I don't have money to burn, I have always worked hard for what I have, I don't have kids or grandkids - no choice in that matter, but when push comes to shove, hunting is less expensive than many other activities, and pays back in real value unlike many other activities we get our kids into like football, skiing, waterskiing, golf, or four wheelers, etc. I don't consider NY GREATer than any other state, and we could not hunt until 14, and we do have programs to start kids in hunting, fishing, just like many other states. IMHO, no matter the mentor - grampa, dad, mom, uncle, etc. 2 or even 10 is too young for any serious hunting other than bb gun or maybe .22 for frogs, grouse, etc. but for anyone to think that it is responsible for a HP rifle to be in the hands of someone under 12, to me, is just irresponsible. I don't care how much they are mentored, turning someone loose even under supervision of an adult under 12 in a big game hunting situation is asking for trouble. Kids that old cannot in reality physically handle a center fire rifle of much greater than 30-30 caliber, and some can't even handle that. Now a bow, that's another story. 10 yo with a bow for deer (not elk), no problem IMO.

Lots of good comments. At age 71, in Arkansas I have a lifetime hunt and fish and it allows me to also take 4 deer if I want. It's a good deal. I used to hunt Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. Missouri is still reasonable for non residents, but Kansas and Colorado have just become too expensive for me now. And really, I was not so much disappointed in the amount as I was the large incremental increases over the past several years. I guess they were wanting to severely limit the out of state folks or simply realized they could bring in really big dollars from non residents?? Or both.

Trapper: I threw age 2 out and of course that is unrealistic. The mentoring program allows kids from 9 yrs and under to hunt with a licensed (unarmed) adult. From 10 years to 13 the hunters hunt under the youth hunter program ( with a licensed adult) and the 14 yrs and older they can hunt on their own.

My son and I have set a high guidelines before the kids can hunt. They have to qualify first or they don't get into the woods. They also have a range restriction on the game. If the animal is beyond that they don't pull the trigger.

I bought the kids two 223 cal guns and I load the ammo. Every deer that the kids have shot with round they have recovered. So it is not like they are handed a 30.06 and sent off to the woods. It is much more than that.

This program has been I place for some time now and I know of not one accident(not that it hasn't happened, I just don't recall of one that has) involving a hunter in the mentoring program. I can't say that about adult hunters tho.

Jon, that sounds very reasonable and responsible. I wish it was like that for all. Most probably are, but accidents still happen because of carelessness. Its like every other activity I guess, it all depends on the individuals. There are a lot of good mentor programs in most states, and most parents are responsible. NY has seen a drop in hunting accidents and fatalities the last few years. Very encouraging. Also, I do know that what Monte said about some non- res fees sky rocketing in some states, esp. western ones, is to try and limit the number of non-res hunters, and/or target the $$$ of the rich ones. It is prohibitive to many which does not seem fair to those who are on fixed incomes. But it is what it is.

The under 12 comment is crap. I feel much safer with several 8- 10 year olds carrying a gun then I do with a lot of adults. It is how you are raised, If I was not allowed to roam the fields and woods when I was 6 or 7 all alone with a good pellet gun I would of went nuts. By the time i was 8 I was carrying a .410 and killing all the small game in sight. Also as far as people being able to afford kids licenses, stop pushing out 6 or 7 kids ecsp if ya only have one modest income. People can say what they want, as far as the cost of hunting licenses and tags goes. They are some of the best values out there. Are people living under a rock? A gallon of milk is 4 bucks and a doughnut is at least a buck now. I would be complaining way more about the general cost of just living then the cost of our tags! Shawn

OKAAAAAAAAYY... :/ I was given a bb gun at age 6 and taught the proper rules. I was always a conscientious and safe respectful kid, but I was still a kid. Dad told me not to shoot glass. So being curious as to why, like KIDS are, I set up a Mason jar in the basement and plugged it while they were at work (I was still 7). It broke in half. I went to pick it up, and my dog came over and nudged my elbow into it and I cut my index finger to the bone, three stitches in the knuckle. Got it taken away for a few weeks. When I was eight, I am not sure why, but I was told not take the gun out. Daisy lever action modeled after Winchester model 94. But I disobeyed, took the gun out, came back later and hid it under the doghouse. Neighbor saw me and ratted me out. Another time I was walking along side Dad, and I was 11. He let me take his Oak Leaf ss 20 ga with hammer for grouse. One went up, I pulled up, went to pull the hammer back, and it slid through my thumb and went off in mid air. He trained me to be very careful, coscientious, etc., but crap still happens to kids. Kids can't drive, and they can't be as responsible as an adult handling a firearm, who has received the long term handling experience. A .410. is probably a piece of cake to a 12 year old, maybe even 10 yo. Dont know, never had anything smaller than a 16 except that old Oak Leaf 20. Kids don't always make sound,judgement calls either. I loved wildlife always, but I shot more stuff that I could NEVER even think of shooting now as an adult. Just saying there should be age limits to gun sports. Bow, no problem at any age.

Oh, and as for the number of kids in ANYONE'S family, I think that should be THEIR CALL, NOT YOURS...HARSH.

"In va a hunting license has gone from $15 to $82 in 35 years... "

Yea, and in 35 years, salaries have gone from $15,000 to $82,000 so it's all relative.

IOW - bitching about how you spend 1/1000th of your money is kinda whining IMO

I got my first shotgun at 8. I wasn't allowed a bb gun till 12 because bb guns aren't always supervised. In my family hunting is tradition and since I come from a very large family that's a lot of kids hunting over the centuries. There has never been any kind of hunting accident in my family. If kids are taught right guns don't have to be in a safe in order to be safe. Of course alot kids now a days are clueless of the fact their actions have consequences for the most part. Only you know when yours are ready, or if they're ever ready. Mine were raised the old fashioned way with corporal punishment,lol. I started my sons early just like I was started. They got their first shotguns at 8 for small game hunting. All our big game hunting has been with bows since I was a kid. They got their first bows at 5 n my oldest son got his first buck at 9 with a bow. In Ohio when my kids were young and when I was young the law was they had to hunt with an adult till they were 16 and that adult was also allowed to be hunting. 16 was the legal age for them to hunt alone or with friends. If kids are raised to respect authority and taught that some things are to be taken seriously there's no reason a youngster shouldn't be out hunting so as they get older they got something besides drugs to do.

Hunting fees pay for enforcement and wildlife management. Part of the reason fees go up is due to poaching, just like insurance fraud causes insurance rates to increase. Remain vigilant, turn in poachers, inform CO's of questionable activity, go to school to become a CO or Wildlife/Fisheries Manager/Biologist, etc. and do you part to help. Go for a degree in an outdoor field, it is fun and gov't. jobs are secure and pay well, and are educational and fun. All that will help to benefit all in terms of license fee increases. Hunting is still a reasonable costing recreation. And all hunting and fishing gear-related purchases contribute a percentage of $$ toward enforcement and management through the Pittman-Robertson Act.

Wow! Too many good threads to comment on... Especially when getting a BB gun at a young age. Does that even happen any more? We old farts and yes I'm one of them can discuss this issue till the next hike in fees.. But, we are a dying breed. The average age of a hunter has gone up tremendously.. The amount of total hunters are way down from just a few decades ago. So, yes licenses have gone up, and so has everything else. And If I told you the amount of money I've spent on hunting/fishing gear. My wife would devorce me... In reality hunting licenses are a small part of the big picture. And saving the money for the cost of a coke or dounut every week is small potatoes to get a license. What we really need is to get the youth involved. There are many talented people out there and thanks for volunteering and helping the young folks get a start/introduction to outdoor sports. I would like to see what Arizona did, and that's offer a youth combination hunt/fish license for $5.00 and that's for Res. & non-Res. Deer tag $40.00. Now that's beating inflation!! The same license and deer tag would cost me $475.00 as a non-resident.. So instead of complaining about the high fees, get out and get someone involved to save our sport and flood the market into competive pricing. Now I think I'll go and make some arrows..

Good health to all, VRV

The wildlife management folks didn't make much off me when I bought a $25 senior lifetime fishing/hunting license. Musta thought I wouldn't last too long. Thinking about making some 25 year investments now so I will have plenty of fishing and hunting money when I'm 95.

Wow, talk about inflation. 82k? Maybe in your word but in the real world the average U.S. household income is 55k and Ohio's is 50k. Nice try tho. But I still think hunting and fishing for food and/or pleasure is the best deal going

How come drivers license dont cost $1000 to help support the police

Somewhat off topic.

Regarding the ranks of aging hunters not being replaced with youth, well imo that is totally related to the increasing percentage of Americans being born and raised in metropolitan areas. Fifty years ago, plenty of Americans still lived in a more rural area than today. Very small percentage of folks raised in large metro areas hunt or shoot. Where are they going to do that, if they weren't raised with regular trips to the country?

Trapper my comment is not harsh, it is meant for the people complaining about affording a license for their kids, well you have to think ahead and not keep having kids if you want to provide stuff for them. All I am saying is you can have 20 kids if you want but do not complain when you cannot afford certain things for them. My grandma and grandpa had 13 kids, my Dad was one of them. They went without but all the ones that wanted to hunt had a license as it paid for itself with the game they brought home, just saying!!! Shawn

I am over 68 so I get a big discount for hunting and fishing licenses. I never minded paying my share before that. Jawge

Classic thread. Dealt with all these attitudes (not judging here just noting the variety) in a 30-year wildlife conservation career. What some folks forget is that these agency folks are just that, people trying to make a difference at work and for their families, like everyone else.

yeah George I'm getting mine free now since I started drawing my Va disability. before that I also never minded paying it and when younger paying it for myself my wife and 2 kids.

At this point im finding humer in this. And please look at my post on the 14th. I get my moneys worth and then some. My argument is in (va) they have rewritten the laws so many times each time with an $ increase. 1980 big game tags 7.50 hunt liscense 7.50 that covered everything. Next they came up with seperate bow and Muzzloader permits more $ then x bow then they made bear a separate tag i think Turkey will be next plus permit increases every couple of years on top of all the seperate permits required. Maybe the fact that the only thing that separates va from Washington D.C. is a river has something to do with it

Scoobie: I don't recall reading any of the posts where parents are complaining about license fees for their kids. If referring to me, I am grand parent that pays the license fees for GRANDKIDS as a gift. I didn't mention that the mentoring license fee went to 24.00 from 7.50 from one year to the next for a TWO day hunt. That amounts to 12.00 a day to hunt. It is not an entire season like it is for adults who get 90 plus days for the 24.00 license fee. It is a two day hunt that takes place in Sept two weeks before regular season starts. But then again you got it all figured out.

And your planned parent hood suggestion is a little out there.

GLF, good for you. You earned it. Thanks for your service. Jawge

"Wow, talk about inflation. 82k? Maybe in your word but in the real world the average U.S. household income is 55k and Ohio's is 50k."

Sorry, I'm near Houston where 30 year-olds with bachelor's degrees routinely make that much, not to mention 45 year-olds.

Sorry, but bitching about the cost of hunting licenses just don't get much traction with me. There are so many areas where one can cut costs to easily make up the difference if it's that important to them.

Thank you for your kind words George.

Tradmt, I moved from Montana to Arkansas. And like you I really enjoyed the resident fees when I was there along with all the possible big game opportunities. And I really would not feel too bad about the cost of big game non resident licenses in Western states if I could afford to spend the ENTIRE season to hunt there. Wished non resident seniors and/or retired vets could get a break. But I guess that's just the selfish part of me.

I think there is some kinda program for former residents of Montana to get licenses for less? Seems like I read about it on the MT FWP site, but don't remember the details. Tradmt, have you heard of this?

TN "Sportsman Package" is $170.

The comment was something like, people with large families or a lot of kids I believe. My point maybe is just not about kids. It is about priorities. If you complain about the costs of hunting licenses and tags maybe people in general that complain should get rid of their cell phones, stop buying a 3 dollar cup of coffee everyday, cancel cable, etc,etc, etc!! That is my point, many other things that when compared to a hunting license cost us way more and we very little in return! Shawn

I know in Kansas and I believe Iowa as long as you were a resident and bought a license in the past you can still buy a resident license. I have to move out there. Shawn

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