wow…good discussion going here. First off, your economy argument isn’t valid- Saying that we don’t want people coming here and putting money into our economy. People will pay to hunt in Iowa no matter what the price is, that is a fact- You may not and some other guys may not, but I can guarantee Iowa will fill each and every last tag that we allow for non residents…thats a fact.
So, one way or the other, the money is coming into the economy. And yes, us as residents are paying for it as well. Lets say for example…a deer tag goes up in price for a resident. Lets say from 25 to 50…that is a that is a 100% increase. It may not seem much to us, but it is doubling our cost. The same increase should apply to non residents…100% increase. Seems fair to me…But I guess if others don’t see it that way…then don’t come and hunt here. It is as simple as that.
As far as the fishing in Minnesota argument, if I feel the price justifies the fishing quality, then I will pay it, if I don’t, I won’t.
But again, we will fill the non resident tags, from here until Iowa antlers get small, no matter the cost, and I don’t foresee Iowa antlers growing smaller any time in the near future.
And yes again, it is because of the flood. Fishing license sales were in the red (according to the proposed spending budged for the Iowa DNR) by over a couple million dollars.
People wanting to come to our state is a great thing- but what is happening to our friendly farmers is not. Ten years ago I could hunt any farm for free around my area. Take the farmer a nice fresh batch of walleye fillets or pheasant breasts, and you were good to go for the year. Of course, treating his property as your own, goes without saying, but you get my point.
Now, you can’t do that anymore because of the popularity of the land. For that I am glad the prices are going up, because it protects our resources, and the way hunting in Iowa used to be. And it is putting funding back into our economy. Bottom line is, if you don’t want to pay it, that is fine, but the next 10,000 people in line, will.
Also, the fishing isn’t a good comparison Rob, most good hunting occurs on private land, that is managed by Iowa farmers, not by the DNR- Food plots and selective harvest, are many reasons why we have great deer, not because the gov’t pays for it. Yes, I am thankful the DNR protects our whitetails during the rut, but there is much more to it that the cost and time falls on us as the hunters. And for example, Mille lacs, is managed by the DNR, I know most of you practice selective harvest while fishing, but isn’t that about it as far as YOUR money goes into protecting mille lacs? Mille lacs is public waters, so you can’t compare that to hunting Iowa farm land. Now, if you have some farm pond that is privately owned, and I caught a ten lbs walleye on every cast, I believe I would pay you a thousand dollars to fish it.. Make sense?
I would really like to keep this discussion going, in a good and freindly manner, not let it get heated, so that everybody can see everyone else opinions.
Rite now it cost $524 if you get drawn for a non-resident license. From what I’ve heard it will probably be around $850 once the governor signs the new bill. 
I’ve never claimed to be all that smart but something just isn’t adding up there.
Imagine how good the fishing is going to be for us residents! Thank Babe Winkleman for this one!
