Yep, looked in my 2014 book and they raised it to $451 + your habitat stamp since last year
Either sex up to $604!!

But now they come with a fishing license LOL

Yeah, so it shows they sell more fishing licenses to get more $ from the Feds.

I figured they don't think anyone will fish while big game hunting. Kinda like a freebee that doesn't cost them anything.

Pretty much, costs folks more in fuel to go than anything pertaining to the actual fishing.

So take that application service company for example this is from their website.




$50
per state for up to 2 species

$100
per state for 3 species or more

$500
for unlimited species and states

Meaning I could pay $50 a year to get put in for elk and mule deer on the week/season I want for the unit I want, then I only pay x amount of dollars for license/tag etc once I get drawn?

I apply for WY and CO each year. One benefit to WY is that you only buy the pref point and don't have to front the tag cost. And you buy your pref point later in the year (assuming that you aren't actually wanting to apply for a license). I bought my antelope point last year in Septmeber and it's only $30.

I noticed on the NMF&W page it said you must buy a hunting license just to apply. Is this right and do you get your money back if you dont get to go? If not thats BS

Also, can a NM resident give or sell you his public land tag if hes drawn?

Most times you aren't successful drawing a tag, you are reimbursed less a "handling/app? fee.

I have never seen a state that allows you to use a tag that has been sold/given to another, unless it is a private land owner voucher.

In most states, you indeed must buy a non-refundable hunting license in order to apply. This is especially true if you want to accumulate bonus/preference points.

Yeah, the Dall hunt is the cheapest of the four nowadays. You can find a decent one for $15-16k if you look around.

But the Stone is gonna go $40k and the Rocky Mnt $35k. Then you can go to Mexico for your desert ram....60k.

So, if you decide you want your Grand Slam, better budget $150 thousand just for your hunts.

I'm glad I got my Slam out of the way. I've occasionally entertained the idea of repeating my Grand Slam, looking for a Book ram in each subspecies. But I think there's a better use of my hunting budget overseas in Africa, Argentina, Asia, etc.

No.

Every state charges you something for the application process. Some more than others. Most of your money is refunded if you don't draw. How much is clearly stated and up to them. The more people that don't like it, the better it works out for me.

Several years ago friend & i appled for elk hunt tag, draw. if remember right like here in had small fee: $10.00 but had to also send rest of money. we didn't get drawn, they sent money back, regreat not going ta Colorado, it was bout same price, can't afford it now. Best Wishes

i'm trying ta slam a few hogs i'm postaddic best wishes

I would suggest a subscription to Eastmans Hunting Journal, lots of good info for NR big game hunting in terms of points, draw odds, fees, etc...just my .02

2 examples from personal experience.

1) When I started buying Colorado elk preference points, the tag I wanted was going pretty consistently with 7 or 8 non-resident points. Then Colorado capped non-resident permit numbers, also raised fees. After 15 years, I was STILL at least 7 or 8 years away. I ended up applying for an easier unit just to get out of the system instead of taking it to the 22-23 year mark. Best move I made.

2) I started buying Wyoming points for sheep when it was $7 for the point and $1500 for the tag. The next year I got a letter that said they were considering raising the point to $75. They didn't, they raised it to $100! and the tag to $2000. I let my one point go.

The one big gotcha with preference points is that you have no idea what that state is going to do between now and when you might draw. What if they further reduce non-resident tags, raise prices, close seasons, add guide requirements, etc... If the cost goes through the roof after 10 years of giving them money, do you get out?

For a lot of hunts you a entering into a long term committment - the terms of which are completely out of your control. I'm not saying don't do it, but there may be not be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or even a pot to piss in.

Good post Miloak,
I did buy non resident points in another state before only to have them end up doing away with non residents for the hunt. I have been building preference and bonus points for a few years in a few places knowing there is a strong possibility I might not ever draw or be able to make one or more of those hunts in my lifetime for various reasons. But I am sure enough of them should stay available, eventually within reach to draw, and within my budget that I will someday cash them in. Recently I was looking at other hunts and states to see if there were any I should add to those I already put in for. But at over 50 years old, I had to face the reality for many DIY hunts, especially for the top end big game draws, it is just too late for me to build enough points to have a reasonable chance of ever drawing while I am still young enough to physically do the hunts. My recommendation to the younger men; if there are any primo top end or once in a lifetime big game draws you even think you may want to do when your older, better start building those points now. Demand and cost is only going to get worse. What would be a cool is if some of these states would reward those who have been loyal supporting a state's draw for 15-20 years or more is to allow a person to transfer points to their children if they never draw the hunt or are unable to use them for some reasons.

http://gunnhook.com/outdoor-journal/2014-big-game-draw-deadlines-and-links/
heres a little bit on the subject

It seems like no matter what kind of hunting or where you go hunting is becoming less and less of a reality for middle income folks. Also it tick me off a little that Texas' out of state licenses are so low compared to other states. IF Colorado is getting $615 for a cow elk than Texas should be able to get over $1000 for a license with 5 deer tags on it!