Hunting, fishing fees in Georgia targeted for increase
ATLANTA -- A bill moving through the state Legislature would raise fees for most hunting and fishing licenses, but it also would raise millions of dollars for conservation and wildlife programs.
Fees for dozens of kinds of hunting and fishing licenses would increase, the first hike in 24 years for Georgia residents, said state Rep. Chad Nimmer, R-Blackshear, who authored House Bill 872.
The bill aims to set new license fees near the middle range of what nearby states charge and "dedicate those funds to the (Department of Natural Resources) and wildlife resources."
The price of most licenses would rise fairly modestly for Georgia residents. A basic annual hunting and fishing license for residents would increase from $17 to $30, for example.
Fees for out-of-state anglers and hunters are set higher and would generally jump as well. An annual hunting and fishing license for a non-resident that now costs $100 would be set at $150. The bill also adds a few new licence charges in order to draw down federal funds that are tied to the number of a state's hunters and fishermen.
The changes would raise roughly $10 million per year, according to the DNR. Right now, their revenue for hunting and fishing licenses as well as boat registrations comes to about $23 million annually.
The money could be spent on a range of things, such as opening public fishing areas on more days, hiring rangers, improving wildlife management areas and stocking fish, DNR Commissioner Mark Williams said.
At the first hearing on the bill, several organizations for hunters and anglers sent people to testify. Most said something similar to Dutch Earle from Trout Unlimited.
"Bottom line, we're in favor of raising the hunting and fishing license fees and think it's a good idea with the understanding ... that the funding, the additional funding, goes to continuing our efforts in conservation, wildlife habitat and also our hatcheries," Earle told the state House Game, Fish and Parks Committee last week.
Williams isn't worried that lawmakers could be tempted to spend the $10 million elsewhere.
"Historically we have been funded fully on our license fees," said Williams, who said he expects that funding to continue.
Also, to maximize federal matching funds, the state must spend its own money on conservation projects.
The bill is scheduled to be heard by a subcommittee this week and may be amended in the process.
There are about 515,000 licensed Georgia hunters, according to the Department of Natural Resources, and there are about 785,000 anglers. Those numbers include people who have both a hunting and a fishing license.
To contact writer Maggie Lee, e-mail mlee@macon.com.
Proposed license fee increases:
Resident hunting, annual: $10 $15
Resident hunting, two-year: $18 $30
Resident big game, annual*: $9 $25
Resident big game, two-year*: $16 $50
* This is an add-on fee to regular hunting license for deer, wild turkey or bear.
Resident fishing, annual: $9 $15
Resident fishing, two-year: $16 $30
Resident trout, annual*: $5 $10
Resident trout, two-year*: $10 $20
* This is an add-on fee to regular fishing license
Resident hunting/fishing, annual: $17 $30
Resident hunting/fishing, two-year: $31 $60
Resident sportsman's license, annual: $55 $65
Resident sportsman's license, two-year: $105 $130
Resident sportsman's license, lifetime, infants under the age of two: $200 $500
Resident sportsman's license, lifetime, youth aged two to 15: $350 $600
Resident sportsman's license, lifetime, adult aged 16 to 49: $500 $750
To view the bill in its entirety:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20152016/155918.pdf
This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Hunting, fishing fees in Georgia targeted for increase ."