Going Fishing... Or Not

[Joe_K]

Fishing out here is still free.99. The question is, who owns the fish?

[theGinsue]

When they started the Habitat Stamp scam it was $10. This year it's $12.15 + the $0.25 Search & Rescue Fee + the $1.50 Wildlife Education Fee (hell, we're paying to educate the wildlife now too?).

It used to cost me $3.00 for each big game hunting preference point. This year, preference points cost $8.00/ea.

On top of all of this, applying for big game licenses or preference points used to cost you the price of a stamp. Now there's a few dollar fee because it's mandatory to apply online.

I didn't hunt deer or elk in 2022 because they moved 2nd Season (my usual big game hunting season) later - right over Halloween and my wedding anniversary, plus I was displeased with the state.
I didn't hunt deer or elk in 2023 because I'd just had major surgery a week prior and was bed-ridden.
I won't hunt deer or elk this year because I have a 2+ week work trip out of state.

I now have 2 deer points (been using them as I get them; will have 3 by next year) and 20 elk points (21 next year).

My plan is to cash the elk points out (draw) in the next year or two for a trophy elk hunt (was planning on going to Trinchera Ranch but they're no longer participating in the program). Same year I'll probably cash out the deer points for my usual deer spots in Unit 80. At that point, I'm likely done hunting big game. The state can go f' themselves as they'll only get an extra rod stamp fee from me from then on (I have a lifetime fishing/small game combo license which also covers the Habitat stamp fee.

By the preference point assignment this year, my son will have 15 deer and 16 elk points. When he's ready to cash those out, I'll go with him to "guide"/help haul out the animals.

If my grandson expresses an interest in big game hunting when he's a few years older (he's 9 now), I'll take him since I know his dad never will. Aside from that, I'm basically done with big game hunting. Same thing for my granddaughter.

I know many former big game hunters that the state has run off from the sport due to policies, season changes and fees. Word is that LOTS of folks are giving up the "wildlife" side of CPW. What happens when the reduced revenues from wildlife can no longer support the "parks" side of CPW? I know, let's create a program where we charge folks for it when they register their vehicles. Eventually enough folks will get sick of the price increases and just stop hunting and fishing.

This whole combining the 2 agencies was idiotic from the start. If parks was bleeding money that bad then they should have re-evaluated the "why" vice combining with wildlife and stealing their surplus. Now, both sides are being poorly run.

The state started this BS "Keep Colorado Wild" pass which is automatic UNLESS you opt out (most folks are unaware of the opt out option - which the state is counting on). I have Disabled Veteran (DV) plates on all of my vehicles. I had to pay an extra $50/ea for these plates for two of those vehicles and the only advantage was they got me into state parks & recreational areas for free. I just renewed my truck registration last week. The "Keep Colorado Wild" program says you won't be charged the pass fee if you have DV plates. I was charged. So, what was the advantage for having these plates?

Just more reasons good people of Colorado are moving to other states.

[ben4372]

$53.98 for a single rod. My brother is in Alabama now. like 15 bucks. i kinda feel like a sucker.

[Joe_K]

When was the last time a Fish Cop got tarred and Feathered?

[XJ]

Just wait, in another few years you will have to make an advance reservation for entry.

[colorider]

Went to 3 locations to get my fishing license yesterday. All 3 said their printer was down, or their system was down. What a fuckijg joke. Did it online.

[Grant H.]

Just wait, in another few years you will have to make an advance reservation for entry.

This.

Took the mtb to Lair O the Bear with some friends last Sunday (Memorial Day weekend) and we made a point of getting to the parking lot by 7:15am. It was already 2/3rds full. By the time we got down a couple hours later, the parking lot was a non-stop merry go round with a line of cars waiting on the access road. I honestly expected less traffic because lots of folks would be out of town, but it was still crazy.