IDFG combined fee proposal introduced in Idaho House

idfg

An Idaho legislative committee on Wednesday voted to introduce a bill combining the Department of Fish and Game’s Price Lock fee increase with a proposal to create more money to manage wildlife depredation and increase access for hunting and fishing.

Combined, the measure would raise an estimated 5 million dollars in annual revenue.  If approved, the proposal before the House Resources and Conservation Committee calls for a 20 percent increase in resident license and tag fees when Fish and Game’s 2018 licenses go on sale in December.  However, under Price Lock, resident hunters, anglers, and trappers can exempt themselves from the fee increase and “lock in” at current prices by simply purchasing and maintaining an annual license starting in 2017, and for at least the next five years.

The proposal also includes an annual 5 dollar charge for adult resident hunters, anglers, and trappers, and a 10 dollar charge for nonresidents to purchase annual licenses.

The fee would be paid when a first annual license of the year is purchased – it would not apply to any additional annual license bought later that year.  The House committee holds a public hearing on the proposal on Friday.  (IDFG)