Posted: Thursday, February 7, 2008 12:00 am
Wes Smalling
Outdoors Editor
For newcomers to Wyoming, the price of a nonresident hunting or fishing license can be shocking. They really stick it to you. But it's only fair. Wildlife is managed in trust for the people of the state so visitors and newbies get charged about four times as much to hunt and fish.
I've moved around so much over the past 20 years hunting and fishing, I've probably paid enough nonresident fees to finance the down payment of a home. But a trout fishing hobo doesn't really need a home, just a place to put his stuff.
Wyoming is tougher than most states for establishing residency. You have to be physically here with a permanent address for a full year. I moved here last spring so my residency status won't kick in for a few more months. As much as I've traveled, I'm used to paying higher fees so I really don't mind the wait.
I've had residency in New Mexico, Idaho, Washington state and a strange foreign country called California. I've paid nonresident hunting or fishing fees in most of those places plus Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and the great state of Texas. I've lost count how many nonresident licenses I've bought in Wyoming over the years.
It's hard to write that big fat check for a nonresident license, but you gotta do it. Sure it's easy to fake it and claim residency, but if you get caught it can cost you thousands. Plus you might get your hunting and fishing privileges revoked in 23 states, not just the state where you broke the rules.
Still, I think Wyoming could make becoming a resident a little easier. Maybe they could give you a form to fill out and if you score enough points they make you a resident. Something like -
How many of the following apply to you?
You know you're a serious Wyoming hunter and angler if:
* You've traded in your truck for a bigger one so you could buy an extra large gun rack for the rear window.
* Your "bicycle" has four wheels and an engine and needs a trailer for hauling it around.
* "Skis" are those things on the bottom of your snowmobile.
* You've met Vice President Dick Cheney and you really like the guy. You'd even consider going hunting with him.
* You don't use the word "ice" to describe ice fishing. Drilling holes in the ice is just "fishing."
* You've eaten sage grouse. And you liked it.
* You've ordered Valentine's Day gifts from a Cabela's catalog.
* You've driven halfway across the state to Casper just to go to Sportsman's Warehouse.
* You've been to a town-hall presidential debate and when it was your turn to step up to the microphone and ask a question you asked the candidates what they thought about wolves.
* People driving cars with Colorado plates are "greenies." People driving Subarus are "foreigners."
* You own a home in the state and it isn't in Jackson.
OK, I'm stereotyping and that's not fair. Not everyone in Jackson owns the home they're staying in for the week. Sorry, there I go again. I don't think Game and Fish is gonna go for my idea. I love this state so I better just shut up and do my time before they escort me to the state line.