the constantly increased COST is a HUGE problem, I used to have 18-20 guys in our elk hunt group and most years 4-8 guys had the time and cash to go on hunts, the last few years have thinned the ranks considerably, and about a dozen years ago Colorado stopped selling over the counter tags for deer and elk in several areas for several years and significantly raised prices, the result was almost everyone but the really obsessed members dropped out.
when Colorado went back to selling over the counter tags (at the higher prices) things improved SLIGHTLY ....Colorado,s fish&game guys are being FOOLISH, limiting tags and raising prices may seem like a great way for them to see a huge increase in income, but they forget the $1200-$2000 the guys buying the tags don,t spend in the local economy on food,motels gas, dozens of types of supplies, rentals etc.
have 4 guys out of the 8 that would normally make the trip is cost of over the counter tags was low ,not make the trip due to lottery on tags , and permit cost and they lost easily $5000-$6000 plus spent in the economy , that the $800-$1000 in lost tag profits hardly covers.
for 25 years or so we had 4-8 guys every year make the trip in 2-3 trucks once the tags became lottery only and MUCH more expensive we dropped to 2-4 guys in a single truck most years
when Colorado went back to selling over the counter tags (at the higher prices) things improved SLIGHTLY ....Colorado,s fish&game guys are being FOOLISH, limiting tags and raising prices may seem like a great way for them to see a huge increase in income, but they forget the $1200-$2000 the guys buying the tags don,t spend in the local economy on food,motels gas, dozens of types of supplies, rentals etc.
have 4 guys out of the 8 that would normally make the trip is cost of over the counter tags was low ,not make the trip due to lottery on tags , and permit cost and they lost easily $5000-$6000 plus spent in the economy , that the $800-$1000 in lost tag profits hardly covers.
for 25 years or so we had 4-8 guys every year make the trip in 2-3 trucks once the tags became lottery only and MUCH more expensive we dropped to 2-4 guys in a single truck most years