[grayghost]

What each of you are saying is very true. Prime land with mature big game commands more and more money each year. I recently spoke with the IL DNR and was informed there are over 400 registered guides in the State. Surely more will come. Ditto on the entire midwest. Big Whitetails bring in big money. And being fair, I think many of us would do the same in their shoes. The same holds true for all big game in the US. Not only Elk, but a trophy Mule Deer or Antelope hunt is getting higher and higher. Not to mention the tags. We are still lucky in TN. A nonresident can buy big game tags over the counter (whitetail deer, bear, boar and turkey) and we have a lot of public land (most require a permit, around $20). Our out of State licenses are very reasonable; your allowed 3 bucks per season and this year you may harvest up to 3 does PER DAY! Check with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for details. Not only are tags, guides and hunting costs soaring, look at the cost of guns, ammo and the assorted paraphernalia we "must have." Nothing to spend $1,000 on a rifle; $1,000 on a scope; ditto on binoculars. Ammo can run $50-$100 per box of 20; camo clothing into the hundreds of dollars. I said 30 years ago that we would get priced out of the hunting sports. In many cases it is well worth hiring a competent guide; money WELL spent. I've spent far too many days in the wilderness chasing ghosts, only to wish I'd used a guide. They (usually) know where game can be found; how to get to it, and most importantly, get it out. Don't read me wrong, I enjoyed my "do it yourself" hunts, and most were successful. My hats off, and recommendations always are given to a good outfitter. But because there are those that can afford to pay megabucks, we're going to see hunting priced out of reach (at least the prime land/species) for the most of us. Greed finished the Roman's; guess that's what our reality has to look forward to. I personally do not blame the guides and outfitters. They work their ass (good one's at least) off to provide their clients with a quality experience: game or no game, they want us to have a great time. Their expenses; hired help, food, animals, gear and especially land leases are skyrocketing. But some always find a way to scalp. Many times these can be the least competent of the lot. Hopefully, we can get the big game/bird Foundations and game oriented "hunting clubs" to realize it's setting aside PUBLIC land that is needed, not fancy new headquarters, museums and private members ranches. Else we're reduced to hunting Grasshoppers with rubber band guns. Good hunting, grayghost