I second you on many points. I think that people who have no respect for common sense should pay for their mistakes not by being cold and uncomortable for few hours but should be hit where it hurts the most which is their wallet. Honest mistakes happen and maybe there shouldnt be a specific fee but estimated donations expected.

I like the way that scuba diving emergencies are set up. Med evac and decompression chamber are very expensive and regardless if you made a mistake or something went wrong you are being billed and we are talking here bills of about $10k. You are responsible period.

Same goes for med evac in other countries and I saw it in the clinics on Mt Everest. You either pay up front or have a proof of some kind of insurance plan. You do something stupid it is gonna cost you pretty penny.

I think that taxing gun permits, atv permits is pointless. I mean it is a source of the money but hunters/ atvers/ offroaders are not the one that require SAR services. It is hikers, climbers who very often disregard any rules and hope for luck and rescue when SHTF since help is only cellphone call away.

I think that small agencies should be able to bill federal gov't who after all should be able to bill indivudual. I also think that if total neglect is shown towards rules and regulations person should be fined.

In the end what would be nice to have is divers equivalent of insurance for hikers... I believe I pay about $40 bucks a year to not pay $10k in bills just in case I have bends. I would pay $40 a year for hiking insurance (more for climbing, etc) to have a peace of mind. Such insurance should be offered when buying hiking permits on federal lands at parks hq. If you declined you are than responsible for your bill. Simple.