Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting haven’t elk hunted colorado for a while - fees went up

The low allocation of permits to non-residents pisses me off more than the high fees compared to residents(which also pisses me off) for hunting that takes place on Federal land.

That said, it's still a bargain compared to private land hunting around here.

It really is inexcusable for conservatives not turning out with the future of Colorado hanging in the balance.

Not just Colorado, our entire nation!

"Very little, unless they all decide to hunt elsewhere,which isn't likely to happen."

It is my opinion that the State may be very surprised to see how many out of state hunters skip the second season, starting next year. The reason I believe this is because the new season dates will now start on a Wednesday and go through a Tuesday. Lets take for an example hunters that live near the east coast all the way to TN. It will be a two day drive to get there and then a seven day hunt with a two day drive back. The same as always. But before, they could leave on Thursday, get there on Friday and then leave on Saturday to be back Sunday night and at work on Monday. That is a seven day vacation. Starting next year, that two day drive, and vacation starts on Monday and then ends on the next Friday, when they get home. Many people only get a two week vacation, so this will mean that those hunters will have to use the entire family vacation time for them to hunt. While many will opt to do that, many more will not. Now, that said, many of those hunters that normally hunt during the second season are going to start hunting during the third. That brings up another point. The third season is now being moved back a week and starting in 2021, this season will start on November 13th. That means the likelihood of snow and sometimes, heavy snow, will make eastern hunters think a long time about hunting in those conditions. They may do it once, but after experiencing a heavy snow that they are not prepared to deal with, I doubt they will come another time.

Just my opinion.

I live in Colorado, so every hunting season I get to exercise my Mile-High Privilege. I enjoy the low costs for tags and that allows me to hunt several species each year. Many years, I have purchased 6 and even 7 tags for different critters. If I had to pay $350-500 for a cow tag, I would probably limit myself to only one tag a year, maybe two. I think there are a lot of Colorado hunters that are the same way. Raising the resident fees would actually hurt hunter turnout, in my opinion.

As for the cost of the non-resident tags, I feel for you. They have risen every year and no end is in sight. Thing is though, regardless of the cost, there never seems to be a shortage of non residents putting in for the seasons. Basic law of supply and demand; Charge as much as the market will bear. If the point ever comes where the cost increase causes a major decrease in non resident applications, then you will see some pull back. If more people would protest the fees by not coming here, the fee structure may change.

JMO

[quote=Colorado14er

As for the cost of the non-resident tags, I feel for you. They have risen every year and no end is in sight
JMO[/quote]

One of the clauses for the new fee structure of permits CPW to raise resident tags priced every year based on COL increases.Same a non-residnt increases.

Our tags increased by $9 each this year. That didn't hurt too bad. Now, they have always been permitted to raise fees, or petiton for increases but have held steady for many years. I have heard some scuttle from friends in the CPW that there is a strong push to keep resident fees stable. But you are right Saddlesore, they now have more power over the fees and if they raise them every year it will not be long before the average joe is priced out of many opportunities. Cost of living often does not reflect wage increases.

Moving the 4th season out further will cull more non-residents in 2021 and beyond when the season opens the day before Thanksgiving. I know I can get away with a lot of crap, but being gone on a hunt over Thanksgiving is not on the menu. LOL!

If the standard is what the market can handle then sheep tags in CO should be around $10,000. Perhaps the market value is not the proper way to price tag for residents and non-residents.

My buddies have complained about the ever increasing license fees and more than a few dropped out since 2007-2009. Of the 8 solid hunters we had for many years, only 2 of us remain. Not age related either since I’m 10+ years older than most. The financial impact of licenses is only part of the overall cost to travel 1200-1600 miles for a 9 day hunt. We still have 6 or 8 most years with some more recent guys joining the hunt. I think the cost of bull elk licenses has increased about $200 since 2005 if I’m not mistaken. I am pretty sure the cow tag has increased exactly $200. Add the cost of lodging, food, and fuel and the cost of living at home and that is the real financial impact on hunters. I’m not sure all the tags “sell out” since there always seems to be lots of leftover cow tags and unlimited OTC bull tags over most of northwestern CO. Deer tags yes; elk not so much....

OT tags never sellout because they are unlimited. I think most of those left over cow tags are scooped up though before season end.

Have been to CO four times to hunt elk second rifle. Travel with a group of guys. Everyone breaks up and hunts separate after we get there. At end of the trip, split food, fuel, cabin rental costs. Max I have paid for an 11 or 12 day trip was $1,600 including tags. Least was about $1,200. Where else can you take a vacation and get food, lodging, transportation and entertainment for $100 to $125 per day ???

Great, another one that thinks we should auction off our tags to maximize revenue. CHRIST WE'RE F'D!!

???? I am reading LopeSticker's post in an opposite fashion...in that he's glad sheep tags in CO are not priced at market value.

I'm never supprised by the number of cheap bastards. Perhaps you should hunt elk in your own state if the western states are too rich for your blood.

I quit hunting Colorado a number of years ago, and switched to Wyoming. I refuse to give Colorado my money, because of short seasons and political climate. They will continue to increase fees because there is no push-back. Hunters will not get together to say "enough is enough". The mentality is "if I can afford it, piss on everyone else". Some things never change, and this is one of them.

I'm surprised when hunters are so naively accepting of socialism when it comes to hunting their animals.

Socialism would dictate equal hunting fees for all at the expense of huge federal and state taxes. BWalker's example was more capitalistic.

Capitalism is the government demanding large sums of money to hunt your game, and then redistributing that money to benefit other people like hikers and bikers? Hmmm

Very well said and great come back. That would indeed be a "socialistic" point of view. Hunters and sportsman pay for a disproportionate amount of our natural resources with not even a thank you. The out-of-staters complaining though is unjustified, regardless of the government's approach. It would be like me complaining about Alaska residents getting an annual oil dividend check.