Not a surprise really, the amount they went up is a suprise.

500 bucks for a cow elk tag... huh...
they must be trying to pay for ?

OK I used to hunt when it was 350 or so.... finally at the point where I have time to hunt...

Nobody bothers to tell you that from 45-55 you tend to put your head down and work yourself to death... At least I’m coming up for air.

Spot

I havn't given $350 for 12 years

these Western states really charge to much for a non-resident tag and without us non-residents these Western states would do very poorly but these states are also getting very greedy ! residents should pay half of what a non - resident pays to make it more fare ! now i am sure some residents will start posting how we non-residents are all wrong. grin

Lots of folks would drop a load in their shorts if they knew how much I pay in out of state fees every year to kill other state's critters....

$500 is a lot for a cow, but if a guy wants it bad enough then all is well.
Bull tags in some states are north of $1000 and I'd gladly paid that for the right tag...in addition to the license and the absurd number of stamps and permits they'll nickel and dime ya with. If it gets to being too much $, hunt something or somewhere else...I do think the higher a price gets, less and less people will be applying for said tag, as the law of demand comes into play. Sometimes it takes a big price hike to see that effect though.

I know a resident here that regrets applying for Wyoming bison this year because the $414 tag is just so damn much money...and yes he pulled a tag...
I, as a resident would gladly pay the non-resident fee (which is over 10X that amount) for that bison tag if I had to, and have been putting in for a hell of a lot longer than he has.
It's all in how much you want that tag...

The annual fishing tax for non-residents is now over $100

They were charging 1/2 price for cow tags a few years ago saying they wanted more cows shot to reduce herd sizes, now they are saying they need to build some areas back up. Colorado big game management principles are based on how much money they can take in, not what is good for the elk herd. If you don't believe this, read the last few pages of any 5 year big game management document.

Even before the last price increase for 2019, where in addition you had to by a small game license before you could even apply for any big game, Colorado CPW took in more money than any other two western states combined.

Really enjoy those from out of state telling us how our state should run. California styling you be.

That might be the most ridiculous thing I've heard in years

I’d love for you to cite a state that charges a resident 1/2 what it charges a non-res in tags for that states animals?

Dejà vu meets Groundhogs Day
😎

There is no question that the price of a Cow Tag in Colorado has gotten high and some may feel disproportional compared to residents. When I started going to Colorado in1979 the price was less than half what it is today. Today, for my Bull and Cow tags, it is almost $1,200. But...I keep going, and that is my, and everyone that chooses to pay the fees, choice. That said, none of us non-residents have to pay Colorado's State Income Tax's or sales tax's every day of the year. My wife and I purposely did not choose to retire in Colorado because of the Cost of Living being so high. So if Colorado choose to charge us non-residents high fees, so be it. We can always just say no. I always look at it as how much money I am saving by living elsewhere, and getting to hunt in such a beautiful state.

I will be the first to grouse about high tag fees and be first in line to buy one. If I could not afford the extra tag fees, then I probably can’t afford the other costs to go either! I’d rather keep driving my old pickup than have a $600 truck payment, too. Happy Trails

I used to buy a non-resident bull, cow and buck tag. Cow tags were $250 and I didn't mind doing some elk management and putting some meat in the freezer. Once the price of a cow tag went above $250, I stopped buying it. I'm glad I can afford to hunt elk and mule deer out of state, it ain't cheap.

Since antlers are the only trophy part of a deer, elk, or moose, why not just buy meat at the store and avoid cows and does all together?

You can buy quite a bit of meat for the price of a Colorado cow elk tag and a lot more if you factor in the ancillary costs associated with hunting.

The only reason that I shoot does is that I can do it with an almost unlimited number of inexpensive "River WMA" tags here in Nebraska and even when I do shoot does, I typically give more than half the meat away via Hunters Helping the Hungry.

I hunt cows because I like to hunt two seasons every year.ML for cows,OTC rifle for bulls.The cows eat a lot better than those stinky bulls. Those Nebraska corn fed and soy bean fed whitetails do taste good though . A lot better than these sage fed mulies.

I've lost nearly all of my interest in hunting anything bigger than deer anymore and really prefer if they cooperate such that I can drive to them and don't have to drag them very far.

Sage fed mule deer are one of the reasons that I'm leaning against buying a retirement home in South Fork. That and the fact that civilization is a 90 mile round trip to either Alamosa or Pagosa Springs.

I gave up on Colorado when they started requiring the purchase of the small game license.

thank you.

Then you haven't heard anything that comes out of Occasio-Cortez's mouth.

I hunted elk in Colorado for the 1st time last year and paid almost $700 for a bull tag. That ain't cheap, but there are no elk in GA. I don't have a problem with Colorado residents paying a fraction of that. They live there and pay taxes year round. I'm just a visitor and appreciate the chance to hunt there.

Feel free to move here and pay $700 annual vehicle registration, exorbitant taxes, deal with yuppie/tourist mountain traffic every day, building codes up the wazoo, construction costs 3x or more of nearby states, family homes starting at $600,000, libtard takeover of our government, and constantly fighting for our gun laws. Come on over! You'll save $650 on your elk tag.

I probably save enough on vehicle registration fees to cover NR tags! LOL! Everything else you listed except yuppie tourists sounds just like here......sadly.

Thanks to the State of Colorado for the opportunity to hunt there the past 15 years. I’d rather hunt there where there are lots of elk instead of hunters outnumbering the elk like WA.

Happy Trails

Now they cut the 2nd and 3rd elk season to 7 days from 9 starting in 2020.Typical govt. Pay more get less

$700 annual vehicle registration? My 3/4 ton cost $75.75 to renew last year.

I think my permenant truck registration ran about 130 dollars.

Yes sir. It's prorated based on GVW and age of vehicle. Brand new I think I paid almost $1000/yr and it goes down about $100/year. And out of state people want to bitch about the "discount" we get on hunting tags. Colorado taxes the $hit out of it's residents.

What's interesting though is that the NR bear tag went down to $100 (from $350). They raised the anterless elk but lowered the bear by a bunch. Guess they are wanting the bears thinned out.

Colorado is just following the Liberal Taxocrat COW Model.

California, Oregon, Washington.....

Yes, Yes, Yes..... tags cost money..... funny thing is... they sell out every year... so, they must not be too expensive...

If you think that tag cost too much for admission to a week's worth of entertainment.... Maybe you should try spending your next vacation at Disney World... spend a whole week at Disney World and see how much that would cost you... surly i would be far more entertaining.... Or, maybe a cruise ship... a week on a cruise ship is maybe more your style ? A cruise ship is a lot more entertaining than a mountain covered Bark Beetle killed pine falling at random....

Westill have family farm land back in Iowa where I grew up. As a kid I hunted small game extensively - rabbits, squirrels and pheasants. A non-resident license used to cost $80 and I refused to pay it even though I would have enjoyed pheasant hunting on the family (and friends) lands during my trips back. Now if I go back the cost is $144 for a license and habitat fee. Haven't hunted Iowa since I left in the late 70's because the license cost was too high for the reward.

I would gladly pay much more than that to hunt moose or big bears or elk or buffalo as a non-resident. In 1981, though, I made a conscious decision to move to Colorado so I could hunt elk here. Don't really have any desire to hunt big bears or buffalo but might do an Alaska moose some day.If that day comes, I expect the non-resident license cost to equal a new car payment or more but still be a relatively small part of the overall cost of the hunt.

Non-residents who bitch about license costs are really saying they can't easily afford it or they consider the reward (the hunt, since many will go home empty handed) insufficient. In either case there is an easy answer - don't buy a license.

It is not the cost of the tag, it is what CPW does with it. Even before the increase, Colorado took in more money than any other two sates combined and we got less for it.Darn little in the way of positive big game management. Higher salaries, more administrators, bigger, fancier trucks.Everyone they employee has to have biology degree or such when all they do is drive around and check licenses.

They need to get out of the real estate and lake ownership business and separate Parks from Wildlife. Nonresidents don't have a clue on what goes on the other 50 weeks of the year. Now we have a liberal governor who is the one that appoints the Wildlife Commission and a liberal legislature that backs him up.Those are the ones who control our Wildlife.

So I guess it is wrong to question the powers to be and just suck it up and pay what they ask. Maybe that is what Wisconsinites do, but it isn't what we Coloradans do.

I don't mind paying the non-resident tag price, it is what it is. Pay and hunt or don't pay and stay home. What burns my a$$ is hearing Colorado residents complain about us non-residents who fund their game department!

So Saddlesore, how much influence do NR ‘s have over your libtards running the state government and ultimately th CPW Commission? What would you suggest short of a firing squad? Happy Trails

Whooo, Whooo… hold on now... If yo don't like what the DOW in your state is doing that is something for you to fix... remember... I'm the nonresident... and I don't vote in your state... that is on you...

As the nonresident.... "sucking it up.. " as you call it... is what I do... because... again... I'm the non resident. And for the record, I'm happy with the way things run in my state as far as the Fish and Game (we call it the DNR) department goes.

I played this game awhile ago saddlesore, I was called a socialist. Tryin to explain it to em is a lesson in futility.

I have no problem paying the price for the cow tag if drawn but requiring you to buy a tag you will never use is sad.

[quote=mikieb
Whooo, Whooo… hold on now... If yo don't like what the DOW in your state is doing that is something for you to fix... remember... I'm the nonresident... and I don't vote in your state... that is on you...

As the nonresident.... "sucking it up.. " as you call it... is what I do... because... again... I'm the non resident. And for the record, I'm happy with the way things run in my state as far as the Fish and Game (we call it the DNR) department goes. [/quote]

Here is the problem. Boulder and Denver, both liberal cities have more population than the rest of the state combined and their votes put these guys in control. Couple that with the people that don't vote ( Yes many conservatives) and this is what happens.This openly gay governor we have came from California and had changed his name after a sexual accusation was fild against him. The liberals took him in and there we have it.

Nonresidents will pay any price the CPW charges because they know they are only here for a week or so and can buy an elk tag OTC. We as residents though have to live with this crap.

Very little, unless they all decide to hunt elsewhere,which isn't likely to happen. This whole thing is really because Republican conservatives failed to get out and vote in the past state election.We are trying a recall of the governor , but have only 60 days to get 600,000 signatures. However, that won't get the libitards out of our Senate and House . Unless a whole of of voters awaken, I am afraid we will never see a Republican governor or Republican controlled legislature in Colorado again.

These same people are also in favor of wolf reintroduction here and that will undoubtedly be on the next ballot as a referendum and just like steel leg hold traps and the ban spring bear hunting came about.When that comes about, in a few years, the nonresidents will be effected too because the elk herd numbers will plummet as they did in WY,ID, and MT

Here is the problem. Boulder and Denver, both liberal cities have more population than the rest of the state combined and their votes put these guys in control. Couple that with the people that don't vote ( Yes many conservatives) and this is what happens.This openly gay governor we have came from California and had changed his name after a sexual accusation was fild against him. The liberals took him in and there we have it.

Nonresidents will pay any price the CPW charges because they know they are only here for a week or so and can buy an elk tag OTC. We as residents though have to live with this crap.
[/quote]
We have the same problem in Wisconsin…. A pile of democrats in Milwaukee and Madison voted in a democratic governor. There is no end to the ways he wants to spend my tax dollars. All I can do about it is vote... and get every one I know out to vote also.... I have the same pain you have... Your pain is a lot worse than mine for sure. Hang in there... the pendgelm will swing.

The liberal takeover of state politics is the same everywhere. Homos, libs, illegals, immigrants, and stupid white people with a guilt complex inhabit the large cities and impose their will on the rest of us and even against sound science of the F&G, DNR, etc. and disregard management in lieu of their leftist politics. Same sad story here in Washington. The initiative/ referendum process has transformed our representative government into a mob rule banana republic.

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.

I'm planning to hunt elk in Wyoming in 2021. The tag will cost more than a NR tag does here.

I guess I should start bitching about it now, and switch over to pissing and moaning in 2020??

Swing, batter, batter, swing....!

When I was a NR hunter in Montana I never once bitched about the price of a combo tag. Actually I have always thought it was a great value.
I, in fact like Montana so much that I moved there and now dont have to pay NR rates. See how that works?

The government isnt demanding anything. You are always free to vote with your pocket book.

Exactly.

So we're back to the animals don't belong to the people they belong to the king?

What a bunch of bullsh**, nobody said that.

The animals belong to the people of each state. In this case, Colorado.

Ok, let's go at this from a different direction. If the state doubled the income tax rate next year would that be acceptable? Dont tell me it's not the same, because its exactly the same, only the #'s are larger. Would you be as accepting?

It’s nowhere near the same.... as everyone has the choice to hunt or not hunt.

Maybe Colorado should raise the income tax rate on non-residents of the State.... then charge the resident tag rate for Non-resident hunters?

What do out of state tags cost in your state?

$661.75 + an $80 qualifying license + $9 app fee + $10 habitat stamp.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me....

Exactly the same my ass. Paying income tax is not something I can opt out of.

Just strikes me odd to see how giddy some of you are to hand more of your hard-earned money over to the government, to hunt the Kings game. We could go round and round for days but it seems pointless with those of you so willing to board the train.....

Should the tags be free?

Yep, did that myself. Worked many hours of overtime in that stretch of life. Got my house retirement-ready. I will retire next August & I am now focusing on my desires. Recently bought a new Honda Pioneer & am mapping out my hunting venues through next March.

Don't need to chase Elk or any other off-the-chart expensive hunts. There are all the Axis, Squirrels & Sandhill Cranes I would hope to harvest right here in Texas & that keeps me happy.

That has to be your most ignorant post yet.

Which is saying something.

Who is it that you think should have a say in how any particular state sets its fees for non-resident tags, if not the citizens of that state?

Citizens of another state? The federal government perhaps?

What say did we have?

You say: “yes.... I want to hunt.... here’s my money.”

Or

You say: “no.... I don’t want to hunt.... I’ll keep my money.”

Is that an option with income tax?

Living in Texas,I think it's cheaper and less work for me to hunt in-state than out of state these days.I hunted those high mountains of West Wyoming when I was younger and it was quite a workout for this flatland country boy.That kind of hunting was quite an experience.I did enjoy it,but dang,you guys work for it,especially if your hunting public lands.I think if you can get a private lands hunt,it would be worth it.

I'd be happy to see tag prices quadrupled accross the board, both NR and R. Taking the cheap bastards and culls out of the mix wouldn't be a bad thing IMO.

Someday you will be on a fixed income and you will eat those words

Every hunter that quits is a vote we lose, and when we lose hunters every where loses and the democrates will take all of our hunting away with gun laws that will make it easier to golf.

In depth thinking beyond the beer gut is difficult for this crowd Jimy.

It's not just Democrats trying to curtail hunting and I have never voted Democrat in my life.. and there is no shortage of hunters out west. Hunter number declines are only an issue in eastern states.

I almost fell out of my chair... this is coming from the guy that thinks market pricing for NR tags is socialism..

The next president won't be picked by voters, he will be picked by voters that fail to vote, with only 30 % of those eligible actually going to the polls and casting a vote, that leaves way to many votes to be stolen or forged, as hunters, our numbers are shrinking every year , that means we need everyone of us to cast a vote or two !

One of the things that limits new hunter recruitment in the west is the fact that excessive out of state hunters lead to leasing up large blocks of property and the crowding of the remaining open ground.

This coming from the guy with his head so far up his ass he can't see daylight.

"Taxes and hunting license fees are exactly the same."

fixt

You just can't see past your beer bellies.....

And what was your reaction when Ritter ran the end around TABOR and implemented a $40 "fee" on all vehicles and trailers?

Pretty much...

Good poiint. That was "exactly the same" as non-resident elk tag fees, LOL.