Good day to you all.

My name is Tom Cacy and I am a career Navy man. I've been in the service for 22 years and hold the rank of Chief Petty Officer. I am a 5th generation Colorado native and have always listed Colorado as my official home of record. Basically that means I pay state income taxes every year even though I may not set foot in the state.

In the 22 years that I have served, I have been stationed in 6 different states. Currently I am stationed in Florida. I have noticed that every state I have been in while in the navy has offered free hunting in one shape or another to active duty military. Unfortunately, Colorado does not. I contatcted the Division of Wildlife's Public Relations Office to inquire why this is, and was told that the State's Wildlife Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over this matter. They also advised having as many people as possible send them e-mails requesting this be addressed.

And, that brings me to the favor part. I do not expect or want the state to let me hunt big game for free, but would like to be able to hunt small game when I get home for free. For years, active duty military residents of Colorado have been allowed to fish without a license, while home in a leave status, but I can't even hunt a rabbit or coyote while I'm on leave without buying a full price license. Since most military people only get home for short periods of time, it makes it difficult to justify paying for a license.

So, if you agree that active duty military should be able to hunt small game without charge, please send an e-mail to the State's Wildlife Commission. Their e-mail address is: wildlife.comm@state.co.us

On behalf of the actived duty military residents of the State of Colorado, I thank you for your time.

Thomas B. Cacy II QMC(SW) USN
Navy Special Warfare Coordinator, Northwest Florida
Navy Recruiting District, New Orleans.

Consider it done!

Good luck in your endeavor. I will be happy to send an e-mail to support your cause.

By the way I know most people don't care how we do things in Texas but you may want to check this out for informational purposes.


http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20050620e

June 20, 2005

Military Personnel Get Hunting Benefits
AUSTIN, Texas — The 79th Texas Legislature passed HB 1076, which directs the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to waive the all fees for hunting and fishing licenses for Texas residents currently on active duty as a member of the military.

The new Texas Resident Active Duty Military “Super Combo†Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Type 510), which is free, will be available to any Texas resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the Reserves or National Guard on active duty. The package includes all five state stamp endorsements (archery, freshwater fishing, and migratory game bird, saltwater fishing with a red drum tag and upland game bird). The Federal Waterfowl (duck) Stamp is not included. For a member of the military to qualify for a free “Super Combo,†he or she must have continuously resided in Texas for more than six months before obtaining the license. See the Outdoor Annual on page 21 for more specifics.

A member of the military who does not qualify as a Texas resident for the purpose of obtaining a military “Super Combo†Texas may purchase any resident hunting and fishing license. For more information, call (512) 389-4846.

The free military license can be obtained after 2005-2006 hunting and fishing licenses go on sale Aug. 15, 2005 at any location where Texas licenses are sold. Active duty service members must show a current military identification card. The free military license may not be obtained over the telephone or Internet.*

One more e-mail on it's way.

Alan

You should have to pay to play just like everyone else.

OK, I sent one.


Ex MM-1(SS)

Yep, Nuke bubblehead

Moose Hunter, I'm just curious, does Alaska still pay it's residents to live in the state?

Alan

Alan,

In addition to the check mailed out every year by the state to resident Alaskans, our hunting and fishing licenses are a fraction of the cost of non resident licenses and some our big game tags are free.

I disagree with you Moose. You spend time as a Chief Petty Officer or a "Nuke Bubblehead," you get some appreciation. Hunting privelidges ain't to much to ask.

Scott, thanks for clearing that up. I thought I remembered it being that way. You hit my point precisely. We are still fortunate here in Texas that we do not have a state income tax but our legislators always find something else to do with the money they have besides send it out to the population.

If my memory serves me well, and that will have to do for tonight since I'm not going to go hunt up a game law booklet; I think Texas allows Active duty personnel to hunt and fish without a license. I will look it up and find out for sure tomorrow. I'm not sure how the game tags work. I think that a military drivers license serves as a Texas drivers license too.

I don't think free hunting and fishing for active duty personnel is too much to ask for either. Thanks for posting.

Alan

Alan,

Sure do, but I don't/didn't ask for it. But I was born up here, too, hence why I get it.

Done Chief..........from another 5th generation Coloradoan.......had to move to Texas though in '73 to be able to hunt all year.

Thanks for your service.

Bob

Moose-Hunter, spoken like a true Democrat, take all you can get from the givernment (not mispelled), you could donated the check back to the government and take a tax deduction on your federal return (if you itemize). You don't have to ask for handouts but you can give back.

Michigan has a program that allows active duty military people to by hunting and fishing licenses for IIRC $1.

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
You should have to pay to play just like everyone else.

wow.

quote:

If my memory serves me well, and that will have to do for tonight since I'm not going to go hunt up a game law booklet; I think Texas allows Active duty personnel to hunt and fish without a license. I will look it up and find out for sure tomorrow.

Save yourself some time and read my post above. Also Texas Parks and Wildlife has a website with everything the booklet has and more.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/

MAC-

Consider it done -- and thanks for your 22 years of loyal service to our country.

It's people like you -- undividuals dedicating themselves to ensuring that our most basic freedoms are protected -- who deserve a simple fringe benefit like being able to hunt or fish without dishing out a load of cash for a license that may be used for only a day or two. I think Colorado's stance is absolutely ludicrous.

Bobby

I agree with Bobby, and I don't think that's happened before. You're getting screwed by your state.

If you were a resident of Pennsylvania, you'd be eligible for a general hunting license for $2. That includes both big and small game.

I was in the county courthouse and a marine in uniform was in the office to get a hunting license while on leave. He filled out the form and plunked down the fee on the counter. He was issued his license and his money was pushed back . The clerk said your money's no good here. Enjoy your leave and good luck hunting. After he left the office all the other clerks were fighting to see who could put the $2 in the till to cover his license. As an ex AQ(B)3, I was proud to see how that one serviceman was treated in my county. MAC, you deserve better than what Colorado's giving you.

M16, I sure don't know how I missed your post but I did. It's been a devil of a week and I guess that's gonna have to be my only excuse. Thanks,

Alan

Done, and ditto on what others have said as far as your service, Mac.

KG

Mac,

First, considering the pay scale...all enlisted should get income tax and local fee waivers. Afterall, without em, you might find it hard to get by.

Second, I'll send the email and add the Governer's office to the list.

Third, cuz your "special" I didn't use no big werds. jk.
HTH,
Dave

Let me get this straight. You've been paying income taxes in CO and haven't been able to utilize any services there but there are those who would have a problem with you being able to shoot a couple of yotes without paying? My letter will go out tomorrow.

Dear Mr. ME :

Thank you for your comments regarding an exception to hunting license
fees for the military. Your comments have been forwarded to the
Wildlife Commission as part of the public input process.

Katie J. Knoll
Public Involvement
Division of Wildlife


Wyoming has some provsions for military, not a problem as I am not that greedy to share with those that serve!

Glad to do it Chief. Thanks for your service to our nation. Should have free basic H&F rights in all 50 States IMHO.
Good hunting,
David

Done!

And thanks for your service Chief!

Gents,

I want to thank all of you for accomodating me in this favor. I am not asking this for myself. As a Chief in the Navy, I make more than enough for the license. My concern is for the junior service-members that do not make much. For those of you that have sent emails, I offer a genuine and heart-felt THANKS..

I'd like to specifically address MOOSEHUNTER's post:

quote:

You should have to pay to play just like everyone else.

Sir, I'd like you to think for a moment of the 18 and 19 year old men and women that are currently serving in this nation's Armed Forces. Chances are, they are lonely, far from home, feeling forgotten and somewhat forsaken.

He/She could be an Army Private patroling the streets of Bagdad. They could be a Marine in the mountains of Afganistan. They could be an Airman manning the watch on an air base in Europe. They could be a Navy Seaman on the pitchinging deck of a ship far out to sea.

He/She could very well be on the front lines involved in direct combat, or they could be manning a watch station in the United States. And they could be lying maimed, broken and bloody in a hospital far from home.Hurt, crippled, and terrified.

One thing all these outstanding young people have in common is that they took an oath to defend this country and to safeguard YOUR
rights, including your right to Free Speech. They protect your right, even when you use it to prove that you are somewhat of an an ASSHOLE.

You may not think they have earned the right to a free hunting license, but I have served beside many of them and I know for a fact that they have.

Thomas B. Cacy II QMC(SW) USN
Navy Special Warfare Coordinator, Northwest Florida
Navy Recruiting District, New Orleans

MAC-

Your reply was very well put and hit the nail on the head. I was contemplating a reply to the post in question, but I could not have said it any better -- and you were more tactful than I could have hoped to be.

I applaud you for that...

One last thought: To me, it's not about the money or being able to easily afford a license or not. It's a matter of principle, and to that end, Colorado is grossly out of line.

You folks put your lives on the line so we can sit back and enjoy the benefits of the great nation. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice.

And back to the money: There's actually a soldier over in the Middle East right now who would have never had to serve, and he would never have to work for a living, either.

His family is extremely well off, and he has a trust fund that will take care of him for as long as he lives.

But guess what? He just re-enlisted because it's something he feels so strongly about. More than likely, he will be a career miltary man.

It's that very spirit and dedication that makes military personnel so invaluable to our nation's well-being.

And despite his family's financial situation, I feel that he, too, deserves a free hunting and fishing license in each of the 50 states.

MAC,
I will send the email after this post.

Considering the sacrifices our Military folks make, it's the least we could do. Some people seem to have no appreciation for what Military men and women have to go through.

Thank you for your service.

quote:

Originally posted by MAC:
Gents,

I am not asking this for myself. As a Chief in the Navy, I make more than enough for the license.

Pardon my language Chief, but I don't give a shit about the amount of your salary. Most everyone thinks that the people serving our country in the Armed Forces are Heroes. Not the basketball players, not race car drivers, not politicians, not entertainers. You and the 18 and 19 year old boys and girls you mentioned are God blessed heroes. I'd like to be able to buy you all a beer, lunch, hunting license, whatever. If somebody wanted to raise the cost of my hunting license in any state so our service personell of any rank could have a licence for free I'd gladly pay it.

Scott King wrote:

quote:

If somebody wanted to raise the cost of my hunting license in any state so our service personell of any rank could have a licence for free I'd gladly pay it.

I'll second that...

In WV we not only allow hunting to active service members, but the state sends a yearly check to every state resident serving in the military.

Am damned glad we do it ... I wish every state did the same.

Chief,
Good on ya! I've hunted elk in Colorado several times. Good place.

Free hunting licenses is the least a state should do for our service men and women!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best of Luck,



EACS(SCW) Retired.

Come to Oklahoma if you get tired of Colorado. We love the military here.

Chief,

Why don't don't you show Moose-Hunter a thing or two. I'm an Alaska resident (no annual check and out-of-state hunt fees because I won't lie and say I intend to make it my permanent home -- how the hell do I know where I'll retire? Enlisted in '84 and have some 13 moves under my belt now...) and will be taking my dad (71-years-old) and my 1SG (Special Forces 40-year-old) black bear hunting this Fall; late Aug thru early Sept. I'll be camp bitch, skinner, and cook...already have my bears. You're welcome to join us - heated tipi tent and lots of black bear on the Kenai. 1SG needs a partner anyway and he gets along with you squids. Shoot me an e-mail if you're interested, but please do so before 15 May -- robert.eatman@socom.mil

cheers,

Matt

I doubt I can be shown anything...

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
I doubt I can be shown anything...

Me too....

quote:

Originally posted by The Slug:

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
I doubt I can be shown anything...

Me too....

Oh, I dunno'. If MH were to ever darken my doorstep, there's something I'd definitely show him: the fooking door!

Seeing how badly the government treats retired or wounded military, I think all of them should hunt free in every state even if retired.
Anyone that makes a career out of the military deserves no less!
Thank you for your service Chief!

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:
You should have to pay to play just like everyone else.

Very poor taste.

I'm sorry to those who I offended and to those who got their panties wrapped up in their crack(s).