Ohio licenses

[shotgun]

I just want to know how many of you all think Ohio should offer some kind of sportsman package, where you can hunt and fish for anything for one price. Kentucky has one like this and I believe it is only 80 dollars(a heck of a lot less than what it would cost you in Ohio)
It includes Combination Hunting & Fishing License, Deer Permit, Spring Turkey Permit, Fall Archery Turkey Permit (added for 2003 license year), Fall Firearm Turkey Permit (added for 2003 license year), State Waterfowl Permit, Trout Permit. The deer permit allows the taking of 2 deer, the spring turkey permit 2 turkeys, the fall archery turkey 2 turkeys and the fall firearm turkey permit 1 turkey.
Another thing I found ridiculous is Ohio's youth can hunt cheaper as non residents in kentucky, than they can in their own state. In my opinion these are things that need changed. I just would like some feedback as to what you all think. Maybe we need to start a petition.
The squeaky wheel gets the oil
:p

[M.Magis]

The ODNR is already hurting for money. The LAST thing we need less money going in. I hear so many people comparing our prices to that of other, cheaper states. How about comparing the hunting we have to those other states? Most deer hunters in KY would love to be able to hunt Ohio.

[shotgun]

Maybe you dont mind spending more and more money Magis, or maybe you hunt your own land so you dont have to buy license? You compare the deerhunting of the two states, but im not talking just deer as you can see from my post.( And personally I dont think the deer hunting is as different as you try to make it sound) All in all I would consider Ohio and Kentucky about average in total hunting opportunities, but for me to hunt the same amount of game in ohio I would pay double that I would if I lived in Kentucky. In my opinion this is ridiculous.

[brian]

first let me say that even if they doubled license fees I would still hunt and fish in Ohio, the variety and abundance of all species is awesome in my opinion,but I live in trumbull county close to the PA border and I agree with Shotgun that license fees are pretty high compared to neighboring states. Here are some #s I came up with, feel free to correct as necessary... Ohio resident, license $19, deer tag (buck or doe)$24, spring turkey $24, fall turkey $24, ohio waterfowl $15 , Xtra deer tag $24, total--$130. Pa nonresident fees...license $101 which includes your buck tag, 1 spring turkey, 1 fall turkey. Doe tag $26, waterfowl stamp $6, total $133.... (a PA res would pay$56) Now to be fair you need to realize in PA you would need a muzzleloader and archery stamp to hunt deer during those seasons. Again, I love hunting Ohio and if I had to give one up it would be PA in a heartbeat but it does seem to be getting more expensive over here. Im worried my son (or more likely his son or daughter) may not have the same opportunities for great hunting and fishing that I had.

[shotgun]

Brian, I would still pay to hunt no matter what the cost also. I would just have to limit my hunting. Im only 20 minutes from wv or kentucky so the hunting here is very comparable to those states. I just wish the prices were comparable.I am currently paying my way through college and money gets tight at times, and its kind of discouraging when they raise prices, espicially when we are already paying more than neighboring states

[M.Magis]

You may be right that I'm not making a fair comparison. I do hunt mostly my own land, but I still buy a license. The difference may be the county I hunt in. I live in Guernsey Co., and it would be pretty hard for the deer hunting to be better than it already is. I'm lucky enough to see more trophy bucks in one season than most people do in their entire lives. The turkey hunting is also excellent. Still, the fact remains that the ODNR doesn't have enough money coming in. For me, the $100 I spend a year on tags is still far less than I spend on other things hunting/fishing related.

[shotgun]

I guess it would be different depending upon yuor county, I guess I just got to get used to it or move across the river:p Does anyone know if the odnr has ever considered a sportsman tag, and maybe someone from another state knows how it would effect sales.

[bill dowler]

i live in wv, i buy the sportsman package every year, and i hvae to buy a trout stamp,all together it costs right around 35 or so, i love fishing and hunting in ohio, but this year my fishing went from around 25 to 40 dollars thats a big jump...... my hunting license in ohio was around 120 or 130. this year its gonna cost me more to kill just one deer in oh as what it did 2 last year.... the cost is just unbelievable, im thinking that this year maybe ill just take more time killing my nine deer in wv, trophy hunt here at home instead of in ohio:confused:

[shotgun]

I emailed the Kentucky wildlife department, they said they started the sportsman license in 2001 and they sent me the following info.



TOTAL REVENUE 2000 $18,229,760.25
FOR ALL 2001 $21,618,314.75
LICENSES 2002 $20,908,105.75
2003 $20,960,617.25

Their total revenue actually went up almost 3.5 million dollars. I wish Ohio would at least try it for a few years. If it didnt work go back to the old system but if it does everyone including the ODNR and hunters would be happy

[Caribou Dreamer2]

I have always thought this would be great but i can not see it happening though,but sure would be nice,I hate going and buying every tag and fishing lic and then hunting lic, water stamps ect. when i can just purchase one tag for everything,plus now you can buy them all at one time which is nice but you will have to take out a second mortage to do so.

Email that list to ODNR from kentucky and maybe they will look into it one year.

[CritterGitter]

While I agree that a sportsmans license would be a good idea I have not seen very broad research to support it. Others have compared us to PA, KY and WV. Well, have you seen the cost of places such as KS, IA and IL. I think it is close to $295 to hunt IL just for small game and 2 deer tags. I don't think they offer as much public land either. This is out of staters prices but I believe the other states I have mentioned are expensive as well. Not to mention places such as TX and or Canada. I don't know what their costs are. For the opportunities and vast resorces available I think Ohio's prices are very very fair! It also has been discussed on other threads on this site that this year's price increase is the first in several years. Realistically, the ODNR isn't even keeping up with inflation. Again, if it was found that a sportsmans license would be a win-win for sportsmen, outdoor enthusiasts and the ODNR I would be all in favor of it. The ODNR is very good about allowing us to voice our opinion on these topics with them, but they seldom consider them.

CG

[XX78]

Well put CG

[Ohio Bill]

I know some of you dont want to here this but, I think they need to raise the out of state hunting and fishing licenses...ALOT of people from out of state hunt and fish here and I think it would bring alot more money to the DNR without hurting the resident hunters. What do ya all think??:confused:

[bill dowler]

well im one of the ones that dont want to here that, they went up this year and i still bought them, ican understand a little increase but another one like this year and they will lose alot of money.... i mean we have hunting and fishing here in wv too. it will just come down to them seeing how high they can go! much more and i cant afford to buy them, there is alot of out-of-staters that are in the same boat that im in....very confused here? dont they want to make money not lose it?

[MrFurious]

I don't mind the increases in licensing fee's the ODNR has emposed the last few years, as it does go towards better management and habitat for our states game animals. What I DO have a problem with is that while resident licenses have nearly doubled in price in the last 2 years, non-resident licenses have seen minimal price increases. Add to that the fact that non-residents pay the same amount we residents do for specialty tags (deer, turkey, etc.) and it gets even worse.

We residents pay state taxes, of which a portion goes to support the ODNR. Why is it then we are being further burdened with the costs of running the department via increased licensing fee's when non-residents (who don't contribute to state taxes outside of sales tax) get a free ride? Most every other state charges non-resident sportsmen inflated 'trophy' fee's to pursue certain game species.

The ODNR is alienating Ohio's resident sportsmen and catering more to the non-residents, and personally I'm getting tired of it. Will I stop hunting or fishing? Hell no! But you can rest assured my voice is being heard at both my regional and state offices.

[M.Magis]

I have to ask. How have resident licenses doubled in the last two years? This was the first increase in 10 years I think. I'm a little confused.:confused:

[bks]

First of all I think every state should offer a sportsman license. We have one here in Tenn. that cost residents $101 per year. This covers all you need for hunting all game(except your federal migratory bird stamp), all fishing and your fees for applying for quota hunts. Or you can save some moneyand do like I just did this year and buy a lifetime sportsman license. It is the same license as the one above only it's good for the rest of the holders life. The price of these is figured on your age at the time of purchase. I'm 36 yrs old and mine was $1200.


Now secondly, Mr Furious, what about all the revenue us out of staters bring to Ohio when we come to hunt for a couple of weesk a year? And if I'm not mistaken the cost of Ohio nonresident license did go up this year. It's going to cost me about $38 more this year for a hunting license and one deer tag than it did last year.

[OHyotekiller]

I'll still buy OH licenses, but it costs me about the same amount to hunt in PA as a non resident. I'm not buying a turkey tag in OH cause I get one WITH my license in PA. I also get a deer tag WITH my license in PA. I also get a fall turkey tag WITH my license in PA.
Ohio...$19 license, $24 deer tags, $24 turkey tags..Yes it's a little cheaper here...but I LIVE here....
PA residents...$6 license (includes deer tag, turkey tags) $6 archery stamp...total is $12. Additional tags...$6.

Personally, I'd like to see where all this money is going. Is it going to funt wildlife programs and buy more public hunting areas....or is it paying to grow the beaurocracy..more "project managers", more "special comittees", more "studies"....MORE BS that we're paying for. I wonder if the administrative fees that they pay the state government went up?????

I work fot the city here....we pay city hall about $400,000 a year in "administrative fees"...for nothing. It funds beaurocracy, nothing more.

[fishfinder668]

I am one of those sportsmen who pursue just about every aspect of outdoors activity in Ohio. I am not as much opposed to the license increases as to the methodology and breakdowns of these fees. I really believe that those of us who hunt bear the load on fees, yet the fishery aspect of the division uses the money. It seems unfair to me that it costs $114 to take two deer and two turkeys in limited seasons, yet I can fish for 365 days a year for $19. This does not even include the costs of wetlands stamps and fur taker permits, or fall turkey tags.
Don't get me wrong, I fish about 100 days per year and do take advantage of the low license fees like all anglers. However, from what I see, there are way more programs and man hours devoted to fishing than hunting and it costs a considerable amount more to hunt. I have always thought that fishing licenses are too inexpensive for the angling opportunities in Ohio, whereas the hunting fees are starting to get out of hand. Of course, his does not stop me from hunting.... no price would, but it does leave a feeling of injustice in my mind.

[shotgun]

Dont give them no ideas, they may start jacking up the fishing license too. LOL

[bill dowler]

they allready did for us guys from wv, it was 25, now its 40

[fishfinder668]

Just out of curiosity.....how much would it cost me to fish in West Virginia as a resident of Ohio?

[bill dowler]

im not sure i would have to look that up, its about the same price that im paying in ohio, but thats really not the point, why such an increase so quick..;) i now that it is only fair that the states charge equaly to non residents and i dont mind paying it for fishing, but the hunting is really getting expensive over there for me:(

[Ltrout]

Folks- being military I have hunted several eastern and southern states and see how each state tends to do things from a historical perspective, a financial perspective and a game management perspective.
NY and VA, like WVA, offer sportsman's tags. This includes all hunting and fishing in those states and is reasonably priced (about $36). In NY you get one bear tag, one or two deer tags, small game, 3-4 turkey and fishing for that price. You don't have to buy the sportsman's tag but it is to your economic advantage if you pursue multiple animals and fish. Not included is the need to purchase a muzzleloading tag, bowhunting tag, trapping (each are about $12) . I think trout stamp is also a part of the deal but cant remember. But what is also included if you buy a sportsman tag is a free apllication for up to two anterless deer tags pending a specific area you hunt.
While stationed there I dropped $500 to buy a lifetime sportsman's tag and now I can hunt and fish for "free" except for the tags mentioned earlier or any public land access fees, etc. Even though I am no longer stationed there, they still honor my license which looks like a credit card. When I asked them how they could afford to do this I was told that a lump sum that high and then invested by the game department could go a long way in funding things and chances are that I wouldn't pursue game to the same degree every year. Thus they bank on this one time investment being just as or more valuable than a smaller yearly fee. If I went back and hunted everything and fished as a non resident just one year I would spend over $200. So it was a no brainer for me.
VA is similar- last year my sportsman's tag allowed me one bear, 3 deer, 4 turkey, all types of small game and all freshwater fishing to include trout for about $44. The breakout was $12 for small game, $12 for big game, $12 for fishing and $12 for trout. Additional 1-2 bucks added on for store writing fee. Additional anterless deer tags can be purchased for about $12 per two. Since VA doesn't require you to purchase anterless tags for a specific area (they use doe days during the hunting season- in some areas you get more doe days than in other areas) it is a very flexible system. Thus if you don't get out to hunt you don't consume a limited number of doe tags for an area like in NY where you have to forecast the area and your ability to actually make it to the woods.
Since VA and NY don't allow baiting for bears they give you a much longer hunting season to get the same yeild results that states like MI get with a shorter season that allows baiting (like MI dogs are allowed in VA for bear). Moreover, you don't have to apply for permits for draws before hand and everyone gets a bear tag under the sportsman's license. The true advantage to VA's system is that it provides the hunter maximum flexibility in terms of time he or she may have to hunt and the fact that except for park hunting, you don't have to send in applications ahead of the season, you can wait to see if your busy schedule allows it.
Moreover, both states (NY and VA) divide their states up into two halves. Hunting starts earlier in one half and thus the entire state season is spread out giving hunters more weekends to possibly make it to the woods. Merchants like this concept because sportsmen are more likely to travel and spend money in the small town local economies of the less populated areas that are close to large tracts of public land. Everybody wins in that case and it helps us defend the outdoor heritage if you bring moeny and jobs to the table! However, VA still does not allow Sunday hunting so there goes 50% of your hunting time if weekends are your only option.
I bought a lifetime license in the state of VA also. Both states offer huge tracts of public land and thus are easier to find hunting sites than OH in my opinion. However, like Ohio, the best hunting occurs on private land at least for deer. And the deer in Ohio on farms are some of the bigges body deer I have seen with exceptions being the great bucks of the Adirondacks.
AL, TN and GA offer different programs also and the southern folks see hunting and fishing as god given rights. Politicians know not to mess with seasons or move funding to general areas. These states also enjoy easy to obtain hand gun concealed carry permits. I truely believe that is yet another indicator of how politicians support or don't support proper game management funding in these states. Moreover the seasons are typically longer and more liberal than northern states.
When hunting Ohio, PA and MI, I except their laws but do wish see these states would defer from the advanced permit systems that I tend to see as money grabs in teh west and I wish they would also offer a complete sportsman's tag as an option that gives the buyer an opportunity to by multi species licences (but still offer the normal tagging like other states that have this) a reduced rate. I think other states have realized that most people these days just don't have the time to do everything so it is a financial benefit to the state kind of like an interior "package" is to the dealer when you buy your car. You tend to pay less for the package but often buy things that you wouldn't if piecemealing things. Everyone wins with a better "value" sporstman's tag if done properly.
Therse are just my own personal opinions and I am not sure if a sportsman's tag would fit the game managment and historical and financial obligations our state managers must meet. Just wanted to give you some perspective on how other places do business.
Enjoy the outdoors!
Rich:)

[Rod Bender Bob]

Hunting and fishing licenses in Ohio are a bargain. For out-of-staters we finally raised the rate to about what all Ohioians have been paying in neighboring states for years. I think the non-resident license should cost a non-resident exactly what his home states charges Ohioians for non-resident licenses.

[strut-n-rut]

I just bought 24 acres of land. Even though I am not required to do so. I bought and paid for hunting licenses and Turkey tags for myself, my 10 year old boy and my Girlfriend. I guess its my way of donating to the preservation of my favorite past time, even when I dont fill a tag.

[shotgun]

The only problem strut is that most of that money aint going towards the preservation of your favorite past time. Maybe in different parts of the state you all see your dollars in action, but they do very little here. We have one state forest and its been closed for over a year because they are timbering it. They dont release any pheasants or rabbits around here as they do in some places. They dont even have any wma's where they plant dove fields and stuff. We have plenty off public land to hunt though, but it is all national forest. So why should I support increases in state liscense when the state does very little if anything for me.