Economy and wolves more than the increase, still cheaper than a lot of states. Hard for repeat hunters when you spend money and time and just see wolf tracks and scat...we still have some good hunting, but it is harder and harder to come by...but it is OK, just think of all the money we are making from wolf tourist (that was the argument for what would make up for lack of hunter $'s in local communities)....lots of outfitters going under and/or cutting back, I didn't guide this fall, no success last year, couldn't ethically sell the hunt this year...our fish and game is fully funded by sportsmen, and are asked to manage lots of non-game animals as well, so they are facing major budget issues......enviro's, lawyer's, and politician's good ideas almost never end as such.....reasons why the old timers did certain things, they were not as ignorant as we think, and our generation is no where near as enlightened as we would like to believe...

Well, this was a no brainer.Raising costs during a poor economy will only send the few hunters able to take out of state hunts during these times elsewhere. But this is what bureaucrats do, and it hurts hunting, it hurts the local economy. The outfitters are struggling as it is, and some will not survive this season. Many Mom and Pop motels, sporting goods stores, and other related business operations will suffer. This is the time you make deals to bring the hunters in, not chase them away.

I agree with RJ you dont up your prices when the economy is struggling, people are looking for cheaper deals,and you will probly see more people stay in thier home state to hunt but,they did raise thier prices and they didn't do nothing but hurt the local economy by doing so,there's one thing i dont understand everybody knows that across the nation we as americans are struggling to keep what we have worked our fingers to the bone and broke our backs to get even the ones still with jobs are paying the price also our health insurance rates going up and along with everything else that is seeing a price increase to get every extra dollar we have my point is the only thing that some of us have is hunting its not just getting out there to take a deer or a turkey its therapy it is something that we do to get away from it all and to just for one moment get a since of peace there is nothing like watching the sun rise over the horizone on a cool frosty fall morning and the feeling you get when you have no idea what you might see next,also the chance to see things and land scapes that you only see in the magazines sitting on your coffee table at home thats dreams people dreams that get shattered from the rising prices on hunting fees,if they would only think how we as dedicated outdoorsman do,if they did they wouldnt have a problem drawing in hunters and would see the big picture insteag of just looking after thier pocket books well thats my opinion long but true iam one of those that dream to see the sunrise over different terrain and because of the economy had to pass it up thats why i feel the way i do,good hunting to all and may your dream hunts come true!!

I have a long history of hunting Idaho. The obvious problems with the economy and the surge in the wolf population has certainly affected the quality of hunting in Idaho. But one more thing that hurts it is that the IDF&G seems to be running a management plan that is more focused on revenue than quality game management, which is a bassakwards approach. I hope that they consider some new ideologies that favor the quality and quantity of game animals instead of new trucks and high tech surveilance equipment.

I just got back from NW Colorado on my annual elk hunt. Craig motels, restaurants, stores, etc. were way down from previous years. While only a few dollars were added to NR fees, I think the economy is to blame. Motel vacancy rates are a sure sign of fewer hunters since motels in Craig are booked solid during Combined Rifle seasons months in advance. There was also a noticeable lack of business at the game processor and DOW check station on the three occasions I visited. A strong indicator of a reduced number of hunters.

That's what you get when you get to damn proud!

Duh.

I think that higher prices for non-residents is just fine. I like that in many areas in Idaho they are limiting the numbers of non-residents. I understand that revenue is a factor but Idaho FILLS with out of state hunters in the fall. I feel crowded sometimes with the people from all over the US hunting where I hunt. Limiting the out of state hunters by using price is fine by me because it keeps my fees down and fewer hunters tearing up the place on their ATV's.

It's like the town I reside in (Kirkland WA) that charges too much for hourly parking downtown when there used to be vibrant downtown. Eventually, people don't go downtown and businesses start closing and commercial real estate is left vacant. Then they (Council people) complain about not having enough revenue to pay their bills so they raise property taxes, b/c they drove away the commercial tax base. But, alias this is the Liberal mindset that has besieged so called “progressive America". Once it goes away its hard to bring back.

This year I considered hunting in Idaho since I own a home in Worley ID, pay property taxes there, boat reg fee’s, hire people to work on my place. No deal for us either for property owners. So then I look at the cost for NR and there isn’t a deer alive worth what they are charging for the so called privilege of hunting in Idaho. I’d rather go to Kansas and pay for a guided hunt. Considering I’ve seen less deer this year than years past.

Washington is out of control with limited hunting opportunity, a failed "feel free to hunt program" and way too many hunters on to little accessible land. I had 35 hunters in a canyon I've had permission to hunt for 6 years. Blatant trespassing, and road hunting seemed to be the norm this year. Not the place I would take my daughters out to for there first deer hunting experience.