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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pluckem" data-source="post: 229842" data-attributes="member: 843">I didn't make it out west for the opener this year, but also heard from some they have never seen so many hunters and MN and WI plates out there. My opinion... One needs to look at the larger picture and understand why this is an issue. Even larger than just ND. If there was enough access and deer available for a quality hunt, you wouldn't have much issue with other hunters. But access continues to get more difficult and big game numbers continue to drop. I apply for big game in 7 other states, so I know what being a NR feels like. The increase is big tag prices over the last decade is concerning. It is happening in every other western state. The states are increasing tag and license costs, at the same time it is getting more and more difficult to obtain a tag as a nonresident.  A NR deer tag in MT is pushing $600, Wyoming is $375 - $660, and we are sitting at $250.   They say hunter numbers are dropping, however the information age with social media, phone apps, internet forums, etc is simplifying the process and effort required to hunt out of state. Point creep in Wyoming has had the majority of nonresidents actually lose ground in the odds of drawing a tag. 3 years ago people with 5 points had a better chance of drawing then those same people do now with 8 points. Colorado's new point system will create the same thing for the limited draw hunts. Most of these states are cashing in on the increase in demand and if they haven't yet you know they will in the future.I wish it was simple... public land, public resource... everyone should be able to utilize it and do so affordably. However, the resource doesn't seem to be keeping up with the demand so we have this trending snowball effect of higher prices, higher pressure, less opportunity, and lower quality hunts.  How do you turn that around?  Increasing habitat and access would help, but that takes $$$ and where do you get that from? A rambling post with no answers, but my point is there are much larger issues at play and will be in the future</blockquote>

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