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November 28, 2007

Commentary
Are skyrocketing license and
tag fees driving hunters away?

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

In the past decade, the number of hunters in the nation has dropped by 10 percent in this country, with some of the biggest declines in the Western states. In California, only one percent of the population 16 years old or older hunted last year. This is in stark contrast to Montana where 19 percent of the residents hunted.
Yet, the cost of hunting has increased with fewer and fewer hunters paying more and more in license and tag fees. The amount of revenue generated for state and federal programs has steadily increased because of these fee increases.
Is it these increasing costs that are running hunters away from the sport? Have we simply priced blue-collar sportsmen out of the market?
In 1989, a California hunting license cost $19.75, and since that was before the Upland Bird stamp, that price included resident game bird hunting. If you look at what that license should cost in today’s dollars, the price (according to the Consumer Price Index) should be $33.28. Instead, the cost is $37.30 for the basic license and another $7.60 for the upland bird stamp for a total of $44.90 -- a 227 percent increase or 56 percent more than can be attributed to mere inflation.
But our home states are about the only place a lot of us can afford to hunt these days. Non-resident fees are even more gouging.
When I last bought a non-resident antelope permit in Wyoming, it cost $105 in 1992. In today’s adjusted dollars that same license should only cost $156.37. But it’s actually $286. Interestingly, you almost can’t get drawn for a general pronghorn tag today for the hunts I generally applied for back then (five to six percent drawing success rates vs. 80 to 90 percent draw rates in the early 1990s), so they offer a $30 preference point to give you additional chances in the draw for each year you buy a preference point. With the maximum number of preference points, I still would only face about a 25 percent chance of getting a tag. But wait, if you want to cough up $526 (plus the $30 for the preference point in case you don’t get drawn), you are put in a special tag pool, and your drawing odds jump up to nearly 100 percent, especially if you have a preference point or two.
The reality is that to get a pronghorn tag as easily as I did in the early 1990s (when I was drawn every year I applied), I would have to spend $556 to have a reasonable shot at a tag in Wyoming these days.
I went back and checked my tax returns. I don’t make 2 1/2 times what I did in 1992, and I certainly don’t make five times as much. Yet, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is raking in those kinds of dollars on mere antelope tags.
Tag increases of these magnitudes and more are common throughout the West. The cost of bull elk licenses have jumped almost beyond what an average working man can afford.
In Idaho, a general non-resident hunting license ($141.50) and elk tag ($372.50) will set you back $514 for the 2008 season. Adding a deer will cost another $255.50, and if you want to hunt upland birds while you’re there, tack on another $81.75. The good news is that Idaho sells its general big game licenses on a first-come, first-serve basis starting Dec. 1 each year for the following fall.
In Wyoming, the 2008 elk license will cost $591 unless you want to get in the special pool where your odds of getting a tag are better, and then you’ll pay $1,071. The elk bonus point is $50 each year over and above these costs. In Arizona, the basic hunting license in 2007 was $151.25 -- and you have to buy that before you can even apply for an elk tag -- and the elk tag was another $595. Colorado looked like a bargain with its $501 elk license for this past fall.
Most of the average hunters I know don’t even apply for things like bighorn sheep or moose anymore because most states require that you include the whole tag amount when applying, which the agency keeps for three to six months, before sending you a refund when you don’t draw a tag. In Colorado, the bighorn tag fee was $1,716 this season, and a sheep tag will set you back $2,266 in Wyoming for this coming fall.
Once upon a time, a guy could simply send in the application fee of $5 or $6 and pay the tag fee IF he was drawn. A lot of regular guys applied for sheep hunts in all the Western states. Not any more. It has become a wealthy man’s activity. Game departments have nestled up in bed with guides and outfitters to make sure wealthy clients have a better chance at getting limited tags. It’s become a racket, but game agencies say it is needed to help them cover their growing costs -- which is bunk, of course.
If the agencies’ fees weren’t so high and the tag allocation system wasn’t biased toward those with the most money, maybe license and tag sales wouldn’t be steadily declining. Maybe agencies wouldn’t need to keep raising fees and selling the soul of hunting to the highest bidder.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

 DECEMBER 1 EL DORADO REGIONAL PARK YOUTH FISHING DERBY: The annual free El Dorado Regional Park Youth Fishing Derby will be held beginning 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Sponsored by the Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation, tackle will be provided to all kids 15 and under. For information, call 562-570-1765 or go to www.DansKids.org.
DECEMBER 1 HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The class dates for 2008 will be set soon. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
DECEMBER 1-2 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Dates for 2008 classes will be set soon. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
DECEMBER 1-3 WATER-FOR-WILDLIFE WORK PROJECT: The Mojave Preserve Water-for-Wildlife Volunteer Group will have a guzzler repair project in the Cedar Canyon area of the Mojave National Preserve Dec 1-3. Food will be provided two evenings and three mornings, but everyone should bring water, firewood, food or lunch and snacks, and gloves. For more information and directions to the camp site, contact Cliff McDonald at 760-326-2935 or via e-mail at bigmc@citlink.net.
DECEMBER 8 BAJA FISHING SEMINAR: The staff of 976-TUNA will be conducting a free Baja Fishing Seminar 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8, at Bass Pro Shops, Victora Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga. A free trip to Palmas de Cortez will be given away. Contact 976-TUNA at 310-328-8426.
DECEMBER 15 UNITED ANGLERS NO-MOTOR TOURNAMENT: The United Anglers of Southern California will have is rescheduled “No-Motor” Tournament Saturday, Dec. 15. The event will benefit the Carpenteria Marsh helping to protect important halibut nursery habitat. The tournament is open to all anglers who fish aboard kayaks, float tubes, canoes or any other seaworthy craft that runs exclusively on “people power.” The entry fee for those signing up by December 13 is $40 -- which includes UASC membership or renewal. On-site sign-ups on December 14 or 15 will be available for $50. For the latest information, rules, and sign-up forms, go to the UASC web site at www.unitedanglers.com or call the UASC office at 949-83-9447.
JANUARY 25 HEAVYWEIGH BASS CLASSIC TOURNAMENT: The Heavyweight Bass Classic will be held Friday, Jan. 25 at Casitas Lake to determine the best of the big bass anglers. The event is limited to 50 anglers with a $200 entry fee and the winner takes all -- not to mention having bragging rights at the best big bass angler in the country. Entries will be accepted beginning Nov. 17. For more information, contact Ron Cervenka, P.O. Box 800342, Santa Clarita, CA 91380 or e-mail socalteams@hotmail.com.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER):The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER):The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-841-2100 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Bob Peters via e-mail at bpi1@ca.rr.com or Don Jamroz at donjamroz@aol.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Callender's Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

[Want your event or club listed here? Send the information to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or e-mail it to odwriter@earthlink.net. Following the style used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the likelihood of it being included here.]

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