More $$ to come from us

[jmg]

Found this on Oregonlive:

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/ore..._face_fee.html

[lor]

:lurk:

[huntinfool]

We'll still be paying far less than most states............too bad the other states have more quality for the $

[KingSlew]

Unless they're proposing a change, SportsPac does not include Shellfish Lic., currently that's an extra charge.

[jmg]

I for one wish they'd throw the shellfish in the Pac but not at this point. But at $6 and change it's hard to beat.

[sliverslinger]

Basic license proposed charges for residents (current charges in parentheses): combination fishing and hunting: $57.50 ($43.75); angling: $32.50 ($24.75); hunting: $29 ($22.50); Sport-Pac (includes various tags and shellfish): $164.75 ($130).
Resident tags: combined fish harvest card: $26 ($21.50); juvenile harvest card (17 and younger): $8 ($6.50); deer: $24 ($19.50); elk: $42 ($34.50); bear: $14 ($11.50); turkey: $22 ($18.50); new juvenile turkey: $10; waterfowl stamp: $11 ($9); upland bird stamp: $8 ($6.50).
New: resident juvenile Sport-Pac (various tags and shellfish): $50.75; resident juvenile hunter (12-17 years): $29; additional rod for license holder fishing in a lake or reservoir: $15.


who's pockets are we lining this time? It even states above, DECLINING big game animals, DISAPPEARING fish runs.
I know lets charge more and give the fisherman and hunter less.

Just wait until we can only harvest calf elk for the price of a full grown one.

[nehalemguy]

Must be a supply/demand thing. Less critters available so they can charge more for them.

E

[Don Fischer]

I live on social security, that would probably do it for me. I get a bit over 18k per year. I also know of a lot of people making 30k a year or less that really have to scrape to buy license's. Bet a lot of them will give it up too. What will increase probably is poaching. Once the state elimanates the lower income people from fishing and hunting, you'd think it would improve for who's left. This is nothing more than greed.

[huntinfool]

Well if we could keep the governors hands out of ODFW's pockets, we'd be fine.

I'd also like to know what the Wildlife commision gets.......seems we could do better/more without them.

[Nw dukn]

Inflation.....

[loper]

Originally Posted by KingSlew

Unless they're proposing a change, SportsPac does not include Shellfish Lic., currently that's an extra charge.

The intent is to rectify that situation. (see R-1 on pages 22, 23 and 24)

[gottafish]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

Well if we could keep the governors hands out of ODFW's pockets, we'd be fine.

I'd also like to know what the Wildlife commision gets.......seems we could do better/more without them.

YEP, He takes there resorces.

[Orion]

So the Sports Pac will cost about 45 cents per day of fishing and hunting opportunity. This is probably less per day than most people spend for internet access. The cost of one Micro Brew is about the same as 10 days of the license fees. The Sports Pac costs less than buying a Starbucks once a week! If you don't think the availability of fish or game is worth the price, don't go fishing or hunting. Just think how much money you will save on gas, tackle, guns, ammo, food, lodging, and other gear! Quit whining and go fishing! It will make us all feel better.

Disclaimer: This post is not directed at any one particular individual, unless you are whining, then it might be!



Let the Flames Begin,


Orion

[CombinationLicense]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

Well if we could keep the governors hands out of ODFW's pockets, we'd be fine.

I'd also like to know what the Wildlife commision gets.......seems we could do better/more without them.

Amen Brother!

"CL"

[Boats]

Let the Flames Begin

Negative...
We've already been alerted to this thread by one member and are keeping an eye on it. We'd rather not have to get involved.

Please keep this a civil discussion and be respectful of each others opinions.

[BrianMaguire]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

Well if we could keep the governors hands out of ODFW's pockets, we'd be fine.

I'd also like to know what the Wildlife commision gets.......seems we could do better/more without them.

I don't believe they get anything except travel costs. They do it because they want to and you do want them vs. a pure political system.

[Zbynek]

I find one gleaming ray of sunshine in these increases. In the tag section, it lists the individual tag increases:

"Resident tags: combined fish harvest card: $26 ($21.50); juvenile harvest card (17 and younger): $8 ($6.50); deer: $24 ($19.50); elk: $42 ($34.50); bear: $14 ($11.50); turkey: $22 ($18.50); new juvenile turkey: $10; waterfowl stamp: $11 ($9); upland bird stamp: $8 ($6.50). "

What I saw MISSING was what caught my eye. Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty! The writer either left off the cougar tag increase or this is ODFW's sneaky way of admitting we have a problem in this state.

Either way, something to find out.

[huntinfool]

Originally Posted by BrianMaguire

I don't believe they get anything except travel costs. They do it because they want to and you do want them vs. a pure political system.

I'm not sure. Most of the commission are lawyers with the exception of Mr England (and he voted against sport fishing on the gill netting issue). I think if we had hunters, farmers and ranchers running it we'd be better off.

[huntinfool]

Originally Posted by Zbynek

I find one gleaming ray of sunshine in these increases. In the tag section, it lists the individual tag increases:

"Resident tags: combined fish harvest card: $26 ($21.50); juvenile harvest card (17 and younger): $8 ($6.50); deer: $24 ($19.50); elk: $42 ($34.50); bear: $14 ($11.50); turkey: $22 ($18.50); new juvenile turkey: $10; waterfowl stamp: $11 ($9); upland bird stamp: $8 ($6.50). "

What I saw MISSING was what caught my eye. Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty! The writer either left off the cougar tag increase or this is ODFW's sneaky way of admitting we have a problem in this state.

Either way, something to find out.

Cougars and bears should be managed as varmints and NOT as game animals.

[Bill Monroe]

Cougar and bear tags go to $14. Didn't have room for everything...
ODFW should have a chart up sometime this week on its Web site.

[ORsouthpaw]

I have a growing disdain for the people that manage our game herds and fisheries. Having to pay another 34.50 for my SportPac simply because of the mis-use of funds is truly pathetic. All management power needs to be taken away from the commission who it would seem is more interested in collecting money than actually making decisions that benefit our wildlife.

Here's what I believe to be a typical comment made in a commission meeting:

"Hey you guys! If all of us highly paid folk that have been appointed to this fine commission can't come up with a creative and executable plan that will help improve our fish and wildlife then let's just throw more of our sportsman's money at it. Maybe our managers need managers too? How much overhead can we add if we stick it to the average sportsman anyway?"

Response:
"What? we can charge the sportsman more and still deliver the same or worse results?"

"Sure we've been doing it for years!"

[12244]

Bill, any idea of what the youth sport pac includes?

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Cougar and bear tags go to $14. Didn't have room for everything...
ODFW should have a chart up sometime this week on its Web site.

[ogrejager]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

Well if we could keep the governors hands out of ODFW's pockets, we'd be fine.

I hear this conversation a lot--particularly on this forum. I also happen to be on a friendly basis with a couple of ODFW biologists. When I talked with them about this, they denied that the funds raised by our licenses and fees went elsewhere in the budget.

I'm not saying it isn't so--but I'd really like to see the bottom line some time--does anybody have those figures? Specifically, what's ODFW's yearly budget and what do sportspeople pay a year in licenses/tags/fees?

Thanks in advance!

[Rank Amateur]

Originally Posted by ogrejager

I hear this conversation a lot--particularly on this forum. I also happen to be on a friendly basis with a couple of ODFW biologists. When I talked with them about this, they denied that the funds raised by our licenses and fees went elsewhere in the budget.

I'm not saying it isn't so--but I'd really like to see the bottom line some time--does anybody have those figures? Specifically, what's ODFW's yearly budget and what do sportspeople pay a year in licenses/tags/fees?

Thanks in advance!

It's not really that the governor takes the license fees, but he has taken back general fund money in proportion of license fee increases in the past. So it is basically the same thing. For as much say as the general public has over the fish and game, they should be shouldering more of the load. Of coarse if we had more say, I might consider shouldering the entire load!

[mtn300]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

Cougar and bear tags go to $14. Didn't have room for everything...
ODFW should have a chart up sometime this week on its Web site.

Can't figure out why they would raise these tag fees. They should be like idaho and charge resident price for nonres tags for cougar and bear. Idaho does this in areas with problems it is a great deal I think we would attract more hunters to help with our predator problem. I don't agree with increases unless they decide to increase population and decrease predation.

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by KevinsDriftboat

Bill, any idea of what the youth sport pac includes?

It includes:
resident juvenile hunting (12-17) and angling (14-17), bear, cougar, elk, deer, upland bird stamp, waterfowl stamp, juvenile turkey, fish harvest tag (salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut) and shellfish.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by mtn300

Can't figure out why they would raise these tag fees. They should be like idaho and charge resident price for nonres tags for cougar and bear. Idaho does this in areas with problems it is a great deal I think we would attract more hunters to help with our predator problem. I don't agree with increases unless they decide to increase population and decrease predation.

They should run it on a trial basis and see how many non residents would actually buy one. Give it 2 years and see how many are bought.

[BrianMaguire]

The next thing will be Coyote tags.

[spottedhawk36]

guess ill have to dig deeper in my pockets to buy my fishing/hunting combo, deer tag, elk tag, bear tag and cougar tag this year. when will it stop i remember when elk tags where 16.50 and a deer tag was like 7.50 when i first started hunting.

[Mossyhorn]

What's going to happen is people will stop buying some tags. I usually buy a bear tag every year but I never see bears so maybe it's time to stop buying one? We have a problem with cougars, tag prices should have gone the other direction. I am willing to bet tag sales for cougars will go down with the price increase. Maybe I'm wrong?

Maybe I'll stop buying a fishing license too? Fishing sucks anymore where I have grown up fishing, I only go maybe once or twice a year so maybe I'll stop buying a combo license?

These same thoughts may be on a lot of people's minds, and coupled with hard times, may spell lost revenue for ODFW.

[Magnum]

Well, they aren't going to get much more from me, what I paid for tags/licenses this year just about taps me out. I'll just limit the tags I buy next year; No more duck hunting, upland bird, turkey, bear, or cougar. I'll switch to only hunting what I enjoy & will do religiously, instead of purchasing the other tags for which I now might just hunt 1 or 2 times a year anyway.

As for the fishing, it sure is hard to pay more to a dept that chooses to support gill netting over sportfishing, but I've got to get my sturgeon/halibut tag somehow.

[ORsouthpaw]

Yep, I've made up my mind I will not get the bear, cougar, spring turkey, upland game bird or migratory waterfowl tags and only buy what I have to. In the past I bought the sportspac knowing I wouldn't use all the tags but with the mindset that I was helping to support our wildlife by spending the extra. Now they want another 34.50 for the same package? I don't think so.

Oh but wait! What will I do if I see a big kitty cat? I may have to adopt the famous 3-S Ranch technique...Shoot, Shovel & Shut up! I'm no longer going to happily participate in the wasting of hunters dollars.

[BrianMaguire]

Perhaps, the legislature is now giving us the finger with ODFWs cougar plan. Many consider it an FU to the public law passed? Don't blame ODFW, it is the legislature that determines budget. What we need to do as a group is lobby the elected officials in our district to fund programs like wolves, cougars, non-game species, endangered species with general fund dollars or other sources of money, i.e. wolf license plates ESA plates, Oregon tax credits, etc. The one good thing is that once general fund money is equal to zero, so is legislative influence. If the legislature needs to do something, yet not contribute ODFW, ODFW can essentially give them the finger.

[Blacktail Slayer]

Originally Posted by ORsouthpaw

I have a growing disdain for the people that manage our game herds and fisheries. Having to pay another 34.50 for my SportPac simply because of the mis-use of funds is truly pathetic. All management power needs to be taken away from the commission who it would seem is more interested in collecting money than actually making decisions that benefit our wildlife.

Here's what I believe to be a typical comment made in a commission meeting:

"Hey you guys! If all of us highly paid folk that have been appointed to this fine commission can't come up with a creative and executable plan that will help improve our fish and wildlife then let's just throw more of our sportsman's money at it. Maybe our managers need managers too? How much overhead can we add if we stick it to the average sportsman anyway?"

Response:
"What? we can charge the sportsman more and still deliver the same or worse results?"

"Sure we've been doing it for years!"

All I have to say about this post.

[Blacktail Slayer]

Originally Posted by Orion

So the Sports Pac will cost about 45 cents per day of fishing and hunting opportunity. This is probably less per day than most people spend for internet access. The cost of one Micro Brew is about the same as 10 days of the license fees. The Sports Pac costs less than buying a Starbucks once a week! If you don't think the availability of fish or game is worth the price, don't go fishing or hunting. Just think how much money you will save on gas, tackle, guns, ammo, food, lodging, and other gear! Quit whining and go fishing! It will make us all feel better.

Disclaimer: This post is not directed at any one particular individual, unless you are whining, then it might be!



Let the Flames Begin,


Orion

[Mossyhorn]

It's not so much about the money increase as it's about paying more for less. Everything in this world is costing more and more money. More taxes on this and more taxes on that, taxes on taxes. It's getting ridiculous and the government thinks we've got more to give them.

Now a lot of people are fed up with our license and tag fees going up and wondering what has ODFW done? What have they done for the hunters that pay their salaries? We have a sharp decrease in animal numbers across the board. Quality is in the toilet. How bout those new rut hunts they added? The white river produced two nice bucks I saw on here. I think the hart mt hunt had 0% success and people complained of seeing not much for quality. These hunts should be insane with big bucks and they're not. Hunting and fishing in this state sucks and is getting worse and what is ODFW doing about it? NOTHING! Now they want more money to continue running elk and deer herds in the ground.

[ORsouthpaw]

Originally Posted by Blacktail Slayer

All I have to say about this post.

Perhaps some of you that are not upset with this increase have more dollars than sense. Should your average hunter be happy? Read my post about about having bought the Sportspac just to add more money to the pool. I care about wildlife in this state as much as anyone and have willingly gave additional money to help fund the promised improvements. Where did my money go? Where is all the improvements in habitat? Where is the increase in game herds? Where is the increase of fish in our fisheries?

I have to laugh because every time someone starts pointing the finger at the ODFW for the mis-use of funds or the poor management of game herds people always want to pretend that the ODFW is exempt from blame. In the early 90's ODFW chose to roll over and has been on a downward spiral every since. Please tell me what improvements have been witnessed. I've seen a dramatic increase in predators and a subsequent reduction of game. I've seen fishing laws that reduce opportunity for recreational sportsman and increase those for commercial gill netting. I'm not opposed to spending more to get more, just opposed to spending more to get less. If previous promises of improvements had been fulfilled I'd be trying to rally everyone to buying into this increase.

I donate and I am member of OHA and RMEF have been and done so for more than a decade. I've also bought the Sportspac for the last 8 years just to add funds. I know I'm not the only one who does this. Yes, it's only a micro brew here and there, or Coffee a week but when I buy one of those I can actually see where my money went and that in and of itself has value to some folks.

If history over the last 20 years holds true this increase like the ones before it will not benefit the wildlife or the sportsman of this state. It will like all the previous increases benefit a select group of folks which look at our wildlife as a profit producing center and not a resource for the people.

Again show me the benefit and I'll show ODFW the money!

[CombinationLicense]

Originally Posted by ORsouthpaw

Perhaps some of you that are not upset with this increase have more dollars than sense. Should your average hunter be happy? Read my post about about having bought the Sportspac just to add more money to the pool. I care about wildlife in this state as much as anyone and have willingly gave additional money to help fund the promised improvements. Where did my money go? Where is all the improvements in habitat? Where is the increase in game herds? Where is the increase of fish in our fisheries?

I have to laugh because every time someone starts pointing the finger at the ODFW for the mis-use of funds or the poor management of game herds people always want to pretend that the ODFW is exempt from blame. In the early 90's ODFW chose to roll over and has been on a downward spiral every since. Please tell me what improvements have been witnessed. I've seen a dramatic increase in predators and a subsequent reduction of game. I've seen fishing laws that reduce opportunity for recreational sportsman and increase those for commercial gill netting. I'm not opposed to spending more to get more, just opposed to spending more to get less. If previous promises of improvements had been fulfilled I'd be trying to rally everyone to buying into this increase.

I donate and I am member of OHA and RMEF have been and done so for more than a decade. I've also bought the Sportspac for the last 8 years just to add funds. I know I'm not the only one who does this. Yes, it's only a micro brew here and there, or Coffee a week but when I buy one of those I can actually see where my money went and that in and of itself has value to some folks.

If history over the last 20 years holds true this increase like the ones before it will not benefit the wildlife or the sportsman of this state. It will like all the previous increases benefit a select group of folks which look at our wildlife as a profit producing center and not a resource for the people.

Again show me the benefit and I'll show ODFW the money!

Good post ORsouthpaw

There are a LOT of hunters (and fishers) that feel this way. That sentiment was echoed in the summary of every one of the ODFW town hall meetings where the budget and fee increase was proposed. ODFW has incorporated some positive changes into the budget proposal like the enhanced youth package (Youth Sport Pac, Youth hunting/fishing licenses, youth turkey tags) and funding for two more OSP Wildlife Troopers plus the Wildlife Forensic Investigation Program.

They also deserve some kudos for stepping up their Information and Education program. ODFW has been very supportive of increased youth educational opportunities, hunting opportunities and even implemented the Mentored Youth Hunting Program recently.

That being said, with the Governor's mandated cuts the gains made in OSP enforcement will actually become a net loss of some Fish and Wildlife Troopers - so certainly nothing for hunters there. There is ABSOLUTELY NO guarantee of ANY (increased or status quo) predator control even though we have been promised a "Mule Deer Initiative" designed to increase eastside herd numbers. Yeah, OK, Whatever you say... And what about elk?????

ODFW is not immune however they work at the behest of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission who works at the behest of the Governor who works at the behest of the Willamette Valley voters. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and hunters need to be screaming about getting hosed in this proposal - not just to the ODFW but to the Commission and the Governor as well.



"CL"

[wapiteaser]

By far the cheapest entertainment in Oregon. You can make it as expensive as you want or as cheap as you want. Just remember it is a privilege to lhunt and fish that other countries sometimes don't have. For the price of a blazer ticket you get a years entertainment. Throw in a couple beers and you get some quality tags. A bag of popcorn buys your shell fish license. Priorities and opportunities need to be balanced. Some people put their personal priorities ahead of legal and obligatory priorities. Balance it all and be happy with whatever you get. Tight lines and fresh gut piles. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

[Blacktail Slayer]

This subject has been talked about on plenty of threads. ODFW, people who hunt and fish, Governor, politics, etc. Combination License posted some good info. The bios make less money than people think and have little money to work with compared to the price of everything. The wildlife side get only about 20% while the fishery side gets 80% of our money. Like Wapiteaser said, "hunting and fishing is a privlege, people have their own priorites, be happy with whatever you get, it's your choice." Oh ya, I probably make less money than 99.9% of everyone on this website. I still can afford my tags. That is just how I choose to spend my money. No entertainment, cigarettes, alcohol, chewing tobabco, huge home or truck, fancy boat, top of the line equipment, big TV, cable, eating out(always make my own food at home), etc... I just spent my money on fewest bills as possible and tags/license. That is just my choice. Hunting means more to me than all those other things.

[Tony270WSM]

A 27% jump is pretty significant. Was going to get the SportsPac, but doubt it now. Didn't even plan on hunting black bear or cougar, turkey was a possibility, but not even going to bother now.

[huntinfool]

Originally Posted by Tony270WSM

A 27% jump is pretty significant. Was going to get the SportsPac, but doubt it now. Didn't even plan on hunting black bear or cougar, turkey was a possibility, but not even going to bother now.

It's still only $130. Until 2010.

[Tony270WSM]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

It's still only $130. Until 2010.

I didn't see that part, Sports Pac it is!

[Fool4FishnHuntn]

Originally Posted by mtn300

Can't figure out why they would raise these tag fees. They should be like idaho and charge resident price for nonres tags for cougar and bear. Idaho does this in areas with problems it is a great deal I think we would attract more hunters to help with our predator problem. I don't agree with increases unless they decide to increase population and decrease predation.

I would buy non-resident cougar/bear tags if they were much lower priced than they are now. By the way, does anyone have the numbers for the new non-resident hunting license and elk tag costs?

[loper]

Originally Posted by Fool4FishnHuntn

I would buy non-resident cougar/bear tags if they were much lower priced than they are now. By the way, does anyone have the numbers for the new non-resident hunting license and elk tag costs?

Its in here.

$100 for the license, $500 for the elk tag.

[scoutdog5]

We had a very good and long discussion of all of this last spring, after which I submitted a proposal to ODFW to change the way in which tag fees are set. Went nowhere.

Some things I learned as part of that process:

1. No general fund dollars go into the wildlife budget. Might be some going to enforcement, but 95% of the general fund dollars go to fisheries. Same with federal dollars and lottery dollars.

2. All fees paid for hunting licenses and tags goes into the Wildlife fund, by statute. Cannot be used for fisheries. Can be used for enforcement and administration.

3. Don't know what percentage of the funds gets put into the wildlife fund when you purchase the sportspac.

4. The big problem with the current system is that the number of people purchasing licenses and tags is decreasing at a very high rate. For example, between 1998 and 2006, the number of rocky mountain elk tags sold dropped by more than 30,000. Smaller drops occurred for mule deer and roosevelt elk, the blacktail deer tag sales drop was larger. The sad truth is that the total funds going into the Wildlife budget from license and tag sales is going down, even though the cost of individual licenses and tags is going up.

5. The majority of costs that go into the wildlife budget are controlled by the state, and not the department. The state negotiates wages and benefits with employee groups, sets policy on purchasing, etc, mandates certain administrative positions, training programs, etc. The only real control the department has is number of non-mandated employees, primarily biologists and field staff.

The sad truth is the funding model being used in Oregon for wildlife is completely broken, and there is no apparent solution on the horizon. We are in a downward spiral where lack of funds to do research, predator control, habitat projects, etc. contributes to lower population numbers, which results in less tags being offered and purchased, which results in less income for the department to do the things that might help turn things around, and the downward spiral continues.

I am 58 years old, and have lived in Oregon my entire life. There is little doubt in my mind that, assuming I live another 20 years, I will see the end of mule deer hunting, with a few very limited hunts surviving, and much smaller elk herds as well.

Now I am really depressed. Is it time to go antelope hunting in Wyoming yet?

Scoutdog

[Rank Amateur]

Originally Posted by scoutdog5

We had a very good and long discussion of all of this last spring, after which I submitted a proposal to ODFW to change the way in which tag fees are set. Went nowhere.

Some things I learned as part of that process:

1. No general fund dollars go into the wildlife budget. Might be some going to enforcement, but 95% of the general fund dollars go to fisheries. Same with federal dollars and lottery dollars.

2. All fees paid for hunting licenses and tags goes into the Wildlife fund, by statute. Cannot be used for fisheries. Can be used for enforcement and administration.

3. Don't know what percentage of the funds gets put into the wildlife fund when you purchase the sportspac.

4. The big problem with the current system is that the number of people purchasing licenses and tags is decreasing at a very high rate. For example, between 1998 and 2006, the number of rocky mountain elk tags sold dropped by more than 30,000. Smaller drops occurred for mule deer and roosevelt elk, the blacktail deer tag sales drop was larger. The sad truth is that the total funds going into the Wildlife budget from license and tag sales is going down, even though the cost of individual licenses and tags is going up.

5. The majority of costs that go into the wildlife budget are controlled by the state, and not the department. The state negotiates wages and benefits with employee groups, sets policy on purchasing, etc, mandates certain administrative positions, training programs, etc. The only real control the department has is number of non-mandated employees, primarily biologists and field staff.

The sad truth is the funding model being used in Oregon for wildlife is completely broken, and there is no apparent solution on the horizon. We are in a downward spiral where lack of funds to do research, predator control, habitat projects, etc. contributes to lower population numbers, which results in less tags being offered and purchased, which results in less income for the department to do the things that might help turn things around, and the downward spiral continues.

I am 58 years old, and have lived in Oregon my entire life. There is little doubt in my mind that, assuming I live another 20 years, I will see the end of mule deer hunting, with a few very limited hunts surviving, and much smaller elk herds as well.

Now I am really depressed. Is it time to go antelope hunting in Wyoming yet?

Scoutdog

Pretty much right on the nail head. The only trouble Scoutdog, all the rest of us will be going to Wyoming too, won't be enough room for all of us.

[baltz526]

policy needs to change, with the current willamette valley controlled political structure we are living under. it is not going to change. there are a lot of hunting opportunitys in oregon, worth paying the prices we are forced to pay. fish are getting too large a piece of the pie. IMHO. sportsmen put billions into the system and get nickles out. it could be much worse, following lars larsons plan, we would live in a nation with no public lands AT ALL. imagine living in a corperate controlled wildlife management state lars envisions. the only hunters will be the high income, pay to play hunters, family and friends of large property owners. there ARE worse systems than what oregon has today. MUCH WORSE if some get their ideas pushed through. the far right and the far left both are assaulting our hunting heritage. you just need to look under the rocks to find the mold

[loper]

Originally Posted by scoutdog5

Now I am really depressed. Is it time to go antelope hunting in Wyoming yet?

The January 2009 Wyoming Game and Fish E-newsletter just got delivered an hour ago.

[scoutdog5]

Rank, I hope so, all us long-suffering Oregon big game hunters deserve a quality big game hunt this year. Maybe we should have a little I-fish in-house antelope competition this year.

By the way, I always thought you were a bull.

Scoutdog

[ehunter]

I think the competetion from the fish guys would be tough because they are so much better organized than hunters. How many fishing licenses are sold vs hunting licenses. The truth is that hunters are losing interest its getting hard to get a good draw in this state.

The ironic thing is that if hunting was better in this state then there would be more interest and more tags sold. I honestly am begining to think choose your weapon might improve and spread the numbers out. As rifle tags decrease the amount of bowhunters increase. Because as a long time bow hunter I am seeing the amount of bow hunters increase and it is getting almost as crowded as rifle season. I am not knocking any one for going with a bow I also go with a rifle for deer. But there is only so much time and animals around and I am starting to see the real benifiet of leaving this state to hunt as it sounds like a lot of others.

The bottom line is that other states have more land better predator managment and frankly better hunting oppertunites.....

I mean Wyoming does not look that much different in antelope country than Oregon but they take care of their predators and the antelope are doing great.

That is why it is so hard for some of us to accept this price increase we are seeing things get worse and no improvement and I agree its not totaly the OFWD there are too many politics involved but its like throwing bad money after worse management with no hope of improvement. We are feeling hopless.

[BlackTail18]

Originally Posted by huntinfool

We'll still be paying far less than most states............too bad the other states have more quality for the $

[BlackTail18]

Originally Posted by Tony270WSM

A 27% jump is pretty significant. Was going to get the SportsPac, but doubt it now. Didn't even plan on hunting black bear or cougar, turkey was a possibility, but not even going to bother now.

i just got mine the other day $130.00

[gottafish]

great.