The archery tag is for 2 deer only, and doesn't include any fishing or hunting license. In the past it's been about $25, so thats a big jump IMO.
You are leaving out the $126 MANDATORY doe tag for non-residents and the processing fee of $15. My understanding is that a non-resident needs $563 to hunt Iowa this year.
I talked with the Iowa DNR for quite a while recently and was told it is local hunters complaining about out of state hunters that is behind the increase and less tags. He said the DNR has been trying to double the number of NR tags the last couple of years, but they are met with to much resistance from legislators because of the locals. He also said the herd is starting to be managed more by politics than by biology (& look where that got us in Michigan) and in a few cases this has caused there to be to many deer so they had to take steps to reduce the herd which has resulted in getting complaints from hunters in those area's that there now are not enough deer. Although as a whole he thought they were doing a pretty good job of managing the numbers. I asked about the animosity I have recently heard about from residents toward non-residents. I have been hearing about being harassed when they see an out of state plate. He said that has been becoming a problem, but not to let that stop me as that is not the case every where. There are pockets of animosity, but there are many places where you are welcomed. He said this is not just with out of state hunters, but also out of county resident hunters. (Apparently some Iowans don't even like each other. ) He said they are going to try to get the state to get rid of listing the county on their license plates because of this. He said he thinks the biggest reason some Iowan's have a problem with out of state hunters is because land they used to hunt is getting bought up and they can no longer hunt there. Plus people come to Iowa for big bucks and tend to leave the doe management to the residents. They have also been having some problems with trespassing and that hasn't been helping either. I didn't hear about the $1,000 for next year. Apparently I should have put in for a tag. I guess if I want to hunt the farm of a friend in Iowa then to bad for me and them. I know the farmers that wanted me to come vistit and hunt there farms were quite angry about the price Iowa charges their non resident friends. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to start pissing off the farmers. It could eventually lead to pressure on legislators to go the other way and open the flood gates. Good thing's often do not come from selfishness. I also know a few people that are going out of their way not to buy any Iowa products because they think it is just getting to ridicules (& they don't even hunt out of state!). Personally I think it might be a good idea for states to charge Iowan's the same as Iowa charges non-residents. Although I don't think the thousands of Iowans that hunt out of state every year with family and friends that live in those states would be to happy about that. Especially if it's the family farm they grew up on. I guess the bottom line is that if Iowa want's to put the screws to their fellow Americans they have every right to do so.
By the way, on the web site it said I would have the "privlege" of having the doe tag added to my purchase. Same with the habitat fee. MANDATORY is such an ugly word. I just wanted to let everyone know that you were being given a privlege.
Minnesota doesn't do that but I do agree with what Joe said In his post. Hunting Is becoming a rich mans sport, bunch of BS If you ask me!!:mad1:
Deerslayer, something I have learned about our DNR is the folks out in the feild are great hard working people. The people in the top echelon have, unfortunately, have become politicians. Not that that is a bad thing. They have had to because their budget has been slashed. I was at a meeting where it has been proposed that the next time the state raises the sales tax by $.01 that 3/8 of that penny would go to the DNR. I supported this. At this meeting there were the candidates for the legislature. Every dem was for it. The reps were totally against it. My legislator was supporting someone erecting a hog confinement less than a mile from both a water source and a boy scout camp. Some people may think that I bash our DNR. I do not. I do know some of what they are up against. Until both sides of the aisle decide to pull their heads out of their nether regions and figure out how to fund our DNR, things will continue to go down hill.
I guess it comes down to, What are you willing to pay? I am not willing to pay a grand for any deer. Not worth it to me. Not when I can hunt here at home all season for 24.00.
Idaho's non resident license and tag went up a total of $60 this year,to a total of about $460.I do think the better hunting states are goughing.Idaho's NR sales are down a lot,to the extent they have sent out a letter to me asking me whether I will be buying a license this year,and including a survey asking me if the increase in cost's will influence whether I hunt out there this year. It is most definitely supply and demand and the better the quality of hunting the more apt that hunters will incur the additional expense. What happens though I believe are two things,when money get's tight or tighter hunters may say well I can have a quality hunt and I can drive to this state.Like for me I live in NY I can drive to some very good whitetail hunting states and save the air fare.So I think a lot of the east coast hunters who travel ot west may look to drive to a state to keep their expenses in line with what they can afford. Another consideration I believe is the do it your selfers like myself may cut out certain things when they are in the area they have traveled to.I think the game departments are short sighted in that regard.Where some one may have gone to dinner at a local diner or spent money on gifts for their family or some thing for themselves they take a pass to conserve funds. I personally hope Idaho's non resident sales are really low this year,(as I am sure a lot of the residents hope as well)if I didn't have such a long tradition of going out there and love the country so much I would consider going else where.
Hell you pay that much to get one mounted, whats that new bowtech cost? over a week long hunt your talking $100.00 bucks a day,thats just a couple months tips from delivering pizzas on weekends.
Right, so after going to Iowa to hunt for 600, then come home and pay the taxidermist 600 and pay for the rest of the trip we are talking 2000. I can buy a new Bowtech, hunt every day of the season and have a deer mounted for that price, not just a few days hunting. And that don't include the cost of paying a guide.
Hey its not like you have to go, but I'll bet they sell as many tags as last year. Hell Obama taxes are gonna cost ya a hell of a lot more and your not gonna see dooky for that money. :evil:
You got that right. As far as not having to go, true. I wont either. but since I will hunt I just wont do it in Iowa, it just aint worth it
It's all a product of the big buck mania. With all the food plots, breeding herds and everything that can be done to make bigger horns it had to happen. In fact I said it would happen. The same thing has happened to land prices in those areas for a piece of scrub brush. Out of state folks move in and lease or buy land. Heck, remember what US Outfitters did to land cost and lease cost. The locals will be pushed out by the money boys. Look what people are willing to pay for a decent set of horns on these deer farms in Texas. You want a big 175 inch buck, well hell... just wait until he comes to the feeder and shoot him. Cost??? Oh depending on the ranch it'll be $15,000 or so to shoot that deer. Now that's insane. The state people have bought into "We want a piece of it". People who push for all these QDM rules, like points, size, age or whatever restrictions in their area. If they get them... they'll probably be the next state invaded by the horn hunters.
You say you DO NOT bash the DNR?? In your last post you wrote: "DNR has gone to hell..", "DNR extortion...", "...DNR..rip off..", "..DNR...cant control the deer population.." You just lost all credibility. Yes you can hunt many other states for far less money. But you are getting what you pay for. Iowa is blessed with one of the best opportunities for a trophy you will find anywhere and still be able to knock on a door and gain free access to private land. Try doing that out West for elk or even antelope. Try hunting the Milk River in Montana for free access. Good luck. Our DNR has created a trophy class herd that provides a unique opportunity and if you want to take advantage of the resource you must pay the price. It is very comparable with any tag for "trophy zones". And you dont need an outfitter. If you are a nonresident and it makes you angry then you must want to hunt here. Why do you want to hunt here so badly???, because we have a trophy herd. Simple economics and simple game management folks. Still a bargain in my opinion. Ofcourse our boarders are always open and you are welcome to move here anytime and become a resident. Price of tag: $27.
