[M.T. Pockets]

As a non-resident who likes to hunt in Wyoming every two or three years I don't like to see it at all. I remember at first the special license application came out. This raised the non-resident elk license from $410 to $610 with the idea that it would increase the drawing odds for those choosing this option. Well, soon everyone was choosing this option and the odds were the same. So then, the outfitters lobbied to raise the special license to $895 to reduce the applicants and increase odds for their clients. This worked the first year, but I'll bet it will catch up. I suggested to my outfitter to get behind a true preference point system, where points accrue and when you have enough points, it's your turn, keep the license at $410. The outfitters weren't in favor of this because they want the opportunity to book the same clients each year and don't want the rich ones to have to wait. I don't like the outfitter set aside licenses, but as a non-resident I don't have any say. I'd hate to see Wyoming go the way of Arizona, but it looks like it may. I'm glad I went the times I did, I'm getting priced out of the market now. I'll also add that I think residents should get first crack at licenses with a certain percentage set aside for non-residents at a cost of no more than 10 times the cost of a resident license. Won't happen, but I think that would be more fair for both. Not enough money for the states though.

Another thing, when average working guys like me and my buddies get priced out of elk hunting, do organizations like the RMEF still expect us to be members and help them in their cause ? I still will because I've had my chances, but I know a lot of younger hunters will say to heck with it.