What: Changes to nonresident elk license distribution and numbers.

Estimated benefit: Could raise $2.5 million each year.

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The Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association has three ideas that together could raise $2.5 million each year for the department.

The possible savings are accurate, said Brian Nesvik, chief of the wildlife division for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

None of the ideas would change how Game and Fish manages wildlife. The changes are a public policy decision, left to the public, and ultimately either the Game and Fish Commission or the state Legislature, to decide, he said.
•Change the ratio of high- and low-priced nonresident elk, deer and antelope tags: Right now, 60 percent of the tags reserved for nonresidents are issued at a low price and 40 percent at a higher price. For example, 60 percent of the antelope tags are $286 and 40 percent of the special- or higher-priced tags are $526, said Jim Allen, board member and past president of the outfitters and guides association. He would like to reverse the numbers, putting 60 percent aside at the higher rate and 40 percent at the lower.

This would require a change in state statute by the Legislature.
•Increase the percentage of tags given to nonresidents: Right now, 84 percent of the limited-quota elk licenses are reserved for residents. Sixteen percent are reserved for nonresidents. Allen proposes changing the ratio to 80 percent for residents and 20 percent for nonresidents.

Deer and antelope tags are given at an 80 and 20 percent ratio.

This change would need to go through a public comment period and be approved by the commission.
•Add 1,000 nonresident elk tags: Allen believes Wyoming could give 1,000 more elk tags -- either bull or cow/calf -- to nonresidents and not impact hunting for residents.

Nonresident hunters are allowed 7,250 elk tags each year, a number that was set in the 1980s.

Since then, he cites an increase in elk numbers and a decrease in resident hunters.

In 1980, Wyoming residents bought 56,447 elk licenses. In 2012, residents bought 46,148. The number of elk has increased from 80,000 in the late 1980s to 120,000 now, said Nesvik.

This change would also require a public comment period and approval of the commission.

The last I heard they wanted a set aside for outfitters like Montana had and discontinued a couple years ago. Is that 1000 tag increase possibly that set aside for outfitters they were wanting? Seeing as how the Legislature nixed every price increase presented to them this year maybe the thinking is that changing the percentage will get the G&F some needed money without looking like they are raising fees. However, it really is a backhanded way of making the average guy pay a lot more for a tag because of the big difference in a regular and special tag and it really is a big price increase for a tag.

You can bet the outfitters have an agenda.