Interesting reading fellas- I have friends on both sides of this issue. I'll just throw a few tid-bits out there.... I don't think the solution is more state game area. Even in MI - which is FULL of state game area (millions of acres)- it gets DESTROYED & blown to pieces. It's horrible- for that matter, go to ALMOST any state, especially east of MS river, the state land (no matter the quantity) gets blown to bits- it SUCKS. Get the state competing to buy rec land and prices will go through the roof as well.
However you fall on this issue.... If they change the law and let NR land owners to get tags every year, that will open the flood gates to guys flocking here to buy up the land. I have friends all over the country that would buy land the NEXT DAY that they change the law. I'm not discussing opinion or how I feel on the issue- just stating fact- if they change the law, the land is going to get bought up by leaps and bounds and in one year, we absolutely will have a totally different atmosphere and owner-ship landscape. I can think of 20 NR guys off the top of my head that would pull the trigger in 24 hours if law changed & they'd buy up land. For better or for worse, this state's deer hunting would be transformed over-night if law was changed, everything from prices to access to leasing to outfitting, etc, etc.
On a personal note, my land would go up in value, no question. Let's say I had 1,000 acres owned, change the law, in MY OPINION, it would take about 1 year for the ground to go from say $2,000 acre to $3,000 acre or WHATEVER, I'd for sure say a $1,000 gain. If a guy owned 1,000 acres, that's a million dollar gain- IN ONE YEAR (I truly believe this is VERY VERY accurate BUT yes, is my strong opinion). Personally, I would never sell, my goal is NOT to have my land go up in value. What I'm saying is, I could CARE LESS about the money, whatever the solution is- I want what's best for hunting and for the state of wildlife, etc. I would NEVER make my opinion based on how much $ I could make. Partly because I'd NEVER cash in my land and put the $ in my pocket- true (I'll always own land) BUT I want what's best for the state- whatever that is.
Interesting discussion though folks.