Montana is now charging $868 for an elk (or $1010 for an elk/deer combo). They are the first of the major elk states to deviate significantly from the usual $500-600ish nonresident OTC/general tag (Co is $641 for any elk, $481 for antlerless/Id is about $600 for OTC elk/license). So a two part question:
1. Why the large jump in tag prices for NR? Compared to surrounding states, is the hunting that much better to warrant the increased price? We are talking a 30-40% increase in tag price here.
2. Do you foresee other states following suit with a large jump in nonresident OTC tag prices? The little guy can get pushed out of the game pretty quickly if all he wants to do is meat hunt. Granted we are taking NR here, which is an indication of some disposable income. Alaska just doubled their NR tag prices as well, for reference.
I'm a big believer in supply and demand and I would think that unless the hunting is much better in Montana, it will push more folks to states with more reasonable fees. I'm torn between supply/demand economics and my desire to not have my checkbook violated.
1. Why the large jump in tag prices for NR? Compared to surrounding states, is the hunting that much better to warrant the increased price? We are talking a 30-40% increase in tag price here.
2. Do you foresee other states following suit with a large jump in nonresident OTC tag prices? The little guy can get pushed out of the game pretty quickly if all he wants to do is meat hunt. Granted we are taking NR here, which is an indication of some disposable income. Alaska just doubled their NR tag prices as well, for reference.
I'm a big believer in supply and demand and I would think that unless the hunting is much better in Montana, it will push more folks to states with more reasonable fees. I'm torn between supply/demand economics and my desire to not have my checkbook violated.