Although I can understand the idea and attraction to such a system, I am against it. I live in Texas, and wish I could say my State has never screwed things up but that'd be a lie. Having said that, I still have more faith in my state to run things, than the Fed. If anything, I personally disagree with the Feds forbidding us from using lead shot for waterfowl, as I think that should have been a local (state) decision. I dont hunt waterfowl, so it doesn't personally affect me, but how many here do and are forced to jump through hoops to shoot steel (or other) shot in their ML shotguns? I personally cast as many of my bullets as possible myself, weather ML or CF, and a lead ban would seriously decrease my shooting practice--and therefore my proficiency.
Having said that, How many States would agree to this, and even if they did, how would we afford it? Last time I bought ayearly TX combination hunting/fishing license, it cost me $64. That does not include a Federal Waterfowl Stamp, which is about $20 last time I checked. I know each state's license fees are different, but let me be lazy for a minute and assume all charge the same as TX. The only way the States would NOT lose a LOT of money on this deal, is if the Fed license was enough that each state still got it's (assumed) $64 share, which would make the FED license cost $3200 a year, and that is assuming none of the US Territories decided to get in on this deal. I personally wouldn't be able to afford it and would have to stop hunting. Now also keep in mind that TX has your tags attached to your license when you buy it so there is no fee to either buy a tag, or enter a drawing like many states do. When I was stationed in AZ, a deer tag was by drawing only, with the funds being non-refundable, but I dont remember what the cost was for a gun hunt. At the time, I just bought a $20 (about) archery tag and just deer hunted with a bow. The Bison tag sticks out in my mind as having been $4000 per animal, but I cant remember if that was cow, bull, or yearling, and they all had different price tags attached. If you had to pay the $3200 Fed fee, would you then have to still enter drawings in each state you might want to hunt in, or would they expect us all to pay for every drawing, in every state as part of the package price? Sorry, but I can see this being used as a way to stop almost all hunting if this was implemented, and can see no possible good coming out of it in the long run.
Guess I'm a pessimist...
