Letter to the ministers to reduce draw wait times.

[Pathfinder76]

I'm going to send a letter to the Minister of SRD and Finance in regards to wait times for draws. I have the support of several like minded individuals and will be getting their signatures on the letter. If anyone has a suggestion on any additions let me know. Here are the points I will be making or requesting a change to.

1. Increase draw application fees with a suggestion of $10. This will insure those that feel the need to apply for themselves, their dog, their wife, and their aunt Gertrude just because they can to cover all bases and see what they can draw for will at least think about it first. And maybe they will decide what species they really want to hunt. It will also encourage a bit of research into the tag being applied for.

2. Increase tag fees for special licence "trophy" animals with a suggestion to start at $150. This will also ensure a second thought on what they want to hunt as well. It will also have me personally staggering draws to stay married and solvent. This in and of itself will decrease wait times. Despite the opinion of the 999 detractors. Again, this will also encourage a bit of research into the tag being applied for.

3. Either a mandatory purchase of the tag successfully drawn for within a certain time frame or a mandatory requirement to leave a CC # at the time of application and the automatic purchase upon successful application.

4. The mandatory reporting of harvest or non harvest and use of your tag. You will have to report within 30 days of the close of your season or will automatically forfeit your ability to apply for any draw or purchase of any tag the following year. If you forget, to bad, and you likely won't do it twice.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I would add to that the need to purchase a wildlife certificate before being eligible to enter draws.

What draws do you deem "trophy"? I would reduce that one to $50 myself, with the stipulation the money goes directly to enforcement.

Redefine what is required to be a "resident"

LC

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

I would add to that the need to purchase a wildlife certificate before being eligible to enter draws.

What draws do you deem "trophy"? I would reduce that one to $50 myself, with the stipulation the money goes directly to enforcement.

Redefine what is required to be a "resident"

LC

Antlered (or horned) special licences. $50 is nowhere near enough. $100 starts to get closer but is still not close IMO. It has to be more than taking the family to McDonalds by a significant margin.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I don't agree with a application fee that high, we shouldn't be pricing folks out of an opportunity.

BUT things should tighten up as far as eligibility is concerned.

LC

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

I don't agree with a application fee that high, we shouldn't be pricing folks out of an opportunity.

BUT things should tighten up as far as eligibility is concerned.

LC

How much do people spend on booze, cigarettes, or take out in a year? I would suggest people are pricing themselves out of opportunity.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by chuck

How much do people spend on booze, cigarettes, or take out in a year? I would suggest people are pricing themselves out of opportunity.

Some do yes....I don't drink or smoke and I can afford tags, but many who are just as "deserved or entitled" to hunt cannot at that cost.

Your bottom line should not decide your opportunity IMHO, lots of the folks who work in Alberta only 6-8 months a year and live elsewhere can easily afford to put in for everything and put in their dogs and grandmas ...whereas some folks who were born and raised here could not.

Do you want hunting to become anymore "elitist" than it already has?

LC

[Pathfinder76]

As an aside, this would be completely unnecessary if people had some semblance of self control.

[Mr. Dynamite]

Originally Posted by chuck

How much do people spend on booze, cigarettes, or take out in a year? I would suggest people are pricing themselves out of opportunity.

$0, $0 and perhaps $50 for the family in a year. There, now I find your arguments invalid. Do I still have to be included in your voluntary tax hike, because they are already taking a staggering amount as it is...

After mentioning $50 Macdonalds outings and alluding to the cost of addictions annually you mention:

Originally Posted by chuck

As an aside, this would be completely unnecessary if people had some semblance of self control.

So if not everyone has the same problems you face, how would others having self control and having to pay substantially more for their hunting opportunities solve anything? Just pay more for the heck of it? Why? Raising tag costs to try to make people have self control in their life and spending is backwards.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dynamite

$0, $0 and perhaps $50 for the family in a year. There, now I find your arguments invalid. Do I still have to be included in your voluntary tax hike, because they are already taking a staggering amount as it is...

After mentioning $50 Macdonalds outings and alluding to the cost of addictions annually you mention:


So if not everyone has the same problems you face, how would others having self control and having to pay substantially more for their hunting opportunities solve anything? Just pay more for the heck of it? Why? Raising tag costs to try to make people have self control in their life and spending is backwards.

The self control comes in the form of being honest with yourself about what you can commit yourself to when it comes to draw applications.

[OpenRange]

I don't mind #3 or #4. If you go ahead with number #2 keep in mind that for a species like elk most people need around a 12 priority to get drawn for antlered, people have something like $50 into draw fees applied to get a 12 priority. That plus a wildlife certificate and then a $150 tag means I'm into that animal for almost $250 and I haven't even cut and wrapped it yet. Lots of people still hunt for the cheap meat because pork, chicken and beef are climbing rapidly, you would alienate the people who can't afford that hefty price tag on getting an elk or whatever. I'm sure lots of people will complain about #1 so I'll leave that for someone else.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by OpenRange

I don't mind #3 or #4. If you go ahead with number #2 keep in mind that for a species like elk most people need around a 12 priority to get drawn for antlered, people have something like $50 into draw fees applied to get a 12 priority. That plus a wildlife certificate and then a $150 tag means I'm into that animal for almost $250 and I haven't even cut and wrapped it yet. Lots of people still hunt for the cheap meat because pork, chicken and beef are climbing rapidly, you would alienate the people who can't afford that hefty price tag on getting an elk or whatever. I'm sure lots of people will complain about #1 so I'll leave that for someone else.

Apply for cow elk.

[OpenRange]

Originally Posted by chuck

Apply for cow elk.

I deserve an equal right to shoot a trophy as anyone else, it should never come down to how much you have in your bank account. Look at all the hunting magazines in the states and look at all the articles and editorials about the high cost of draws/tags, they are always complaining that it's cutting out the average citizens from being able to afford to hunt. That is the direction #1 and 2 would take things and it would increase poaching in this province as well.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by OpenRange

I deserve an equal right to shoot a trophy as anyone else, it should never come down to how much you have in your bank account. Look at all the hunting magazines in the states and look at all the articles and editorials about the high cost of draws/tags, they are always complaining that it's cutting out the average citizens from being able to afford to hunt. That is the direction #1 and 2 would take things and it would increase poaching in this province as well.

Do you also deserve a membership to the local country club?

If you need help I can suggest ways that you can save $250 in five years. You could start by putting $5 a month in a jar.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Charging crazy prices to go direct into Goverment coffers.....is only 6 degrees of separation to paid hunting.

LC

[flyguyd]

Originally Posted by chuck

Apply for cow elk.

Which in the south is still a 5-6 yr wait

Number 4 is a great idea tho.. They do it in Idaho like that and im sure many other states as well

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by flyguyd

Which in the south is still a 5-6 yr wait

Number 4 is a great idea tho.. They do it in Idaho like that and im sure many other states as well

Horse manure. Every year their are undersubscribed licences down south.

[muleyhunter7]

I always wondered how a bunch of guys can cry so much and whine. didnt get drawn im emailing mla right now boo hoo. Why does everyone thing the world will change just cause they want it too just for them.

[flyguyd]

Originally Posted by chuck

Horse manure. Every year their are undersubscribed licences down south.

Ya in 300.. Maybe your pocket book likes the access fee Chuck . I dont really

agree with it tho . Course i dont live there like you either

[antlerguy]

Don't we as sportsmen want our sport to grow. This is what I keep hearing anyways. I for one do. I think by doing your proposed ideas we are limiting growth in our sport. I understand nobody likes long wait times to be drawn for something, Yes a lot of folks in our Provence can afford what you are proposing. There are also a lot that can not. You say go hunt a cow elk, and I say go hunt a general bull. Lets stick together as hunters and try and promote our sport.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by antlerguy

Don't we as sportsmen want our sport to grow. This is what I keep hearing anyways. I for one do. I think by doing your proposed ideas we are limiting growth in our sport. I understand nobody likes long wait times to be drawn for something, Yes a lot of folks in our Provence can afford what you are proposing. There are also a lot that can not. You say go hunt a cow elk, and I say go hunt a general bull. Lets stick together as hunters and try and promote our sport.

How is waiting for 15 years to draw a bull Moose tag promoting our sport?

[baz]

I am with you on principle for pretty much all of your proposals.
LC has a very valid point about resident status and this has to be changed and a means to properly enforce it as well.
My kids have to purchase their own draws and tags after they turn 18 if they want to hunt, it is a method that I find ensures they are committed. To date none of my boys complain about it at all. If a young adult can put the cash together for something they enjoy, I am sure an adult can do the same.
Baz

[antlerguy]

When I said promoting our sport I mean if it takes a P15 to get drawn in that zone it takes almost all that (it is a draw system - no guarantees) for everyone who applies. Level playing field. If you raises prices like you proposed this would take out certain folks that maybe are not as well off as others. Thus making it an uneven playing field for folks that do not earn as much or otherwise. It is not that I am against an increase, just more like what Lefty suggested. Like I stated I understand to frustrations of long wait times. You could always go to another wmu with lower wait times as I don't see being a p15 and not getting drawn as average waiting.

[RDW]

Originally Posted by chuck

How is waiting for 15 years to draw a bull Moose tag promoting our sport?

Just looked through the 2014 draw summary report i think i saw about 5 zones with a wait that long as far as i can see there is more than enough moose hunting opportunity you just have to stray from the same zone you have been hunting for the last 30 years.

As for other draw wait times there are some states and provinces who have the best hunting on lottery draw and some don't draw one tag in there lifetime.

Just having the chance to shoot more than one trophy bighorn sheep in my life time makes me feel fortunate.

150$ per tag is ridiculous i have more than one hunting buddy who could not afford that extra expense that would be a shame.

[flyguyd]

Originally Posted by chuck

How is waiting for 15 years to draw a bull Moose tag promoting our sport?

You could always apply up north, 1 or 2 yrs wait

Took me 13 yrs to get drawn , know what , i survived and waited my turn. Even had alot of fun hunting other things inbetween

[Loper]

I'm against this government getting any more of my money than they already do. I believe the amount of draw tags available take into account the fact that a percentage of tags are not going to be purchased.

[Pathfinder76]

My odds are already on the rise.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Loper

I'm against this government getting any more of my money than they already do. I believe the amount of draw tags available take into account the fact that a percentage of tags are not going to be purchased.

Are you going to quit buying fuel, alcohol, and cigarettes?

[Loper]

Originally Posted by chuck

Are you going to quit buying fuel, alcohol, and cigarettes?

Nope. Doesn't mean I'm going to write letters to the government asking for them to charge me more. When I draw a tag I buy it. I plan ahead and hunt. I have a limited amount of money to spend on hunting and the last thing I want more of that money to go towards is some MLA's expense claim.

[Sledhead71]

Originally Posted by chuck

I'm going to send a letter to the Minister of SRD and Finance in regards to wait times for draws. I have the support of several like minded individuals and will be getting their signatures on the letter. If anyone has a suggestion on any additions let me know. Here are the points I will be making or requesting a change to.

1. Increase draw application fees with a suggestion of $10.

Seems fair

2. Increase tag fees for special licence "trophy" animals with a suggestion to start at $150.

Slippery slope to elitism

3. Either a mandatory purchase of the tag successfully drawn for within a certain time frame or a mandatory requirement to leave a CC # at the time of application and the automatic purchase upon successful application.

Agree

4. The mandatory reporting of harvest or non harvest and use of your tag. You will have to report within 30 days of the close of your season or will automatically forfeit your ability to apply for any draw or purchase of any tag the following year. If you forget, to bad, and you likely won't do it twice.

Agree

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

I don't agree with a application fee that high, we shouldn't be pricing folks out of an opportunity.

BUT things should tighten up as far as eligibility is concerned.

LC

Agree

[muleyhunter7]

Know the difference between you and god chuck? God dont think hes you this is retarded boo whoo gotta wait im a cry till the government pleases my every demand