With low success rates and poor hunting conditions on public land, hunters increasingly choose to hunt on private land for a fee. Few people hunt strictly for meat, but state and federal agencies continue to manage as if they do, by providing large herds rather than trophy animals. Herds on public land provide hunters little opportunity to take a mature male. Having too few males in the herd also lowers the diversity of the gene pool for elk and deer populations. They have opened the door to fee hunting.
Hunters report greater satisfaction when they pay a fee to hunt on private land.
Herds are managed for more trophy animals. Access is limited to those who pay, improving success and safety. Unlike the public licensing system, fees reflect the true market value of the game. For example, hunters will pay more for a mature bull elk than a young bull or cow. Fees encourage private owners to make habitat improvements on the land to attract more game.