First of all, allow me to introduce myself. I am an avid hunter and sportsman from the state of Michigan. I have had the opportunity to hunt your great state for the last eight years as a nonresident – each time with Upper Canyon Outfitters in Alder. I was able to hunt for the first time on a guided hunt and subsequent hunts have been unguided. I just finished a hunt with my son the first week of the season. We both harvested nice bulls. It is with this background that I write you this letter.
The bill I-161 that was just made into law has the potential to end my hunting in Montana. The $1,250 outfitter licenses you had were out of the question for me, but the general season combination licenses at $643 were in my budget. Your new fee of $897, an almost $260 increase, has pressed the limits for me. During each of the hunts I have made in your beautiful state I have spent a fair deal of money on expenses. If I were to take my wife along as I planned to next year, the new fee would add over $500 extra dollars. The extra costs may well cause me to look elsewhere for elk hunting opportunities. It is as if you wish to price the nonresidents out of your state. I have talked with seven other people who had planned future hunts in Montana, but now due to I-161 they have taken Montana off their list.
It seems you are defeating your purpose and, as a result, you will lose considerable revenue. I would hope your state would reconsider and amend this law, as it will mean no more hunts in your beautiful state for me and many like me.
John Leighton
Edwardsburg, Mich.