Idaho Fish and Game fee boost may hit snag
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 11:15 AM PST
BOISE (AP) — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game could face tough going with lawmakers on a proposed fee increase for hunters and anglers.
The agency, which has not had a fee increase since 2005, has proposed various increases to raise an additional $6.9 million in hunting and fishing fees.
Lawmakers will consider the proposals in the legislative session that starts Monday.
‘‘I don’t think there’s any question it’s going to be tough, due to the economy,’’ said Fish and Game Commission Chairman Cameron Wheeler of Ririe, a former state representative. ‘‘A lot of this was put together before the economy collapsed. I was committed that, once we formed a strategy, we would stick with it.’’
Fish and Game, which manages the state’s wildlife, has a $76 million annual budget and about 528 full-time employees. The department operates with money from hunting and fishing tag fees, and federal and private grants.
If lawmakers approve the fee increases, 80 percent of the additional money would go toward maintaining existing programs. The remaining 20 percent would go toward improvements, such as expanding fish hatcheries and designating more fishing areas for families in urban areas.
Fish and Game officials decided to seek the highest fee increases only for specific types of fish, elk and deer to keep most tag fees within the reach of lower-income residents.
Under the proposal, tags for salmon and steelhead would increase 64 percent, from $11 to $18, for Idaho residents. Controlled hunt deer tags would increase 36 percent, from $18 to $24.50, and the elk tags would go up 26 percent, from $29 to $36.50, for Idaho residents.
The fees that non-Idaho residents under the age of 17 pay to hunt elk would see some of the largest increases, up 158 percent, from $14.75 to $38.
A basic resident hunting, fishing or combination license would increase between 10 percent and 15 percent, an increase of $1.75 to $3.75, depending upon which license is purchased.
If the proposed fee increases fail, Fish and Game officials said it would be at least the summer of 2010 before the agency could get additional revenue, and it would have to cut programs.
Mark Bell is president of the Idaho Sportsman’s Caucus Advisory Council, which represents 28 groups ranging from fly fishers to trappers.
‘‘We had a majority vote of support,’’ Bell said. ‘‘We don’t want to see a continuing deterioration of (the agency’s) programs. We don’t see the logic in that.’’
