SB 1223 PASSED and SIGNED

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Game and Fish to seek public input on license structure and fee concepts

 

PHOENIX -- Gov. Jan Brewer yesterday (May 7) signed into law Senate Bill 1223, a bill that allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to set future hunting and fishing license structure and fees directly through a streamlined, customer-focused process.

 

The bill, which is supported by 24 sportsmen's organizations, gives the Game and Fish Department the ability to operate more like a business and react to changing market conditions and customer needs in a timely manner. It previously passed the Arizona House, 43-10, on April 15 and the Arizona Senate, 26-2, on March 6.

 

The department now will present its proposed public outreach process to the Game and Fish Commission at the commission's meeting this Saturday, May 11, at the Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale St., in Kingman, Ariz. The public is invited to attend the meeting in person or view it over the web at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. The commission may provide input or further direction.

 

Following that meeting, the department will engage in a public outreach effort, including statewide public meetings, to solicit input on a conceptual license structure and fees.

 

"It's important to keep in mind that the license structure and fee concepts that will be shown at the public meetings will only be that -- concepts," said Deputy Director Ty Gray. "They are not recommendations at this point, but are meant to serve as a starting point for discussion. We want to know what constituents think and what input they might have."

 

The public meetings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 16, Pinetop, Pinetop Fire Department, Station #2, 5976 Buck Springs Road
• Monday, May 20, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway (Note: This meeting will also be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/webcast)
• Monday, May 20, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive
• Tuesday, May 21, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road
• Wednesday, May 22, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Wednesday, May 22, Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road
• Thursday, May 23, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road

It is anticipated that additional public meetings will be held in each region. Those meeting locations and dates will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/LicenseSimplification as soon as they become available. Interested individuals are encouraged to monitor that webpage.

 

For those who can't attend the public meetings, input/comments will be accepted at LicenseSimplification@azgfd.gov.

 

For more information about SB 1223, visit www.azgfd.gov/LicenseSimplification.

 

[Couzer]

Glad I purchased a lifetime license a while back. This sounds like it could get expensive.

[dzell]

No kidding

[DCMHunter]

So much for the low income people the money grubbing commissioners will be filling their pockets

 

DCM

[AZ8]

It will be great to buy a 365 day license. For example, a person can purchase a license on May 1st, 2013 and apply for all three big game drawings, June(2013), October(for Spring draw 2014) and February(2014) with the same license.

 

Having to buy next years license in October before applying for the following year's Spring draw is kinda wacky!

 

This will be much better!

[PRDATR]

But if you buy one every October what's the difference? You're still only laying out the cost once a year?

[twigsnapper]

But if you buy one every October what's the difference? You're still only laying out the cost once a year?

If you buy a license in October come Jan 1 you no longer have a license. Take the license draws out of the picture. If you are buying a fishing license later in the year you are only getting benefit out of the license for a few months but you pay the same price. They are trying to make it more user friendly for people and more cost effective. Some people may not even buy the license in Sep-Oct-Nov because they only get 3-4 months of benefit compared to 12 months with the new proposed system.

 

The cost of some licenses might go up but the AZGFD is trying to make the system more user friendly and less confusing and now they don't have to go to the state legislature to make simple changes. Much better in my opinion.

[AZ8]

But if you buy one every October what's the difference? You're still only laying out the cost once a year?

If you buy a license in October come Jan 1 you no longer have a license. Take the license draws out of the picture. If you are buying a fishing license later in the year you are only getting benefit out of the license for a few months but you pay the same price. They are trying to make it more user friendly for people and more cost effective. Some people may not even buy the license in Sep-Oct-Nov because they only get 3-4 months of benefit compared to 12 months with the new proposed system.

 

The cost of some licenses might go up but the AZGFD is trying to make the system more user friendly and less confusing and now they don't have to go to the state legislature to make simple changes. Much better in my opinion.

 

Exactly. More streamlined and easier for the new angler or hunter to understand.

 

It's second nature to us, but to a new outdoorsman, it can be overwhelming. I recently helped a coworker get introduced into hunting. He was frustrated reading the regs, becoming overwhelmed at the different license choices and different fees. I helped him along, walked him through the regs and got him headed in the right direction.

 

To recruit and retain a new hunter in a more streamlined process is a plus in my book!

 

 

[AZ8]

But if you buy one every October what's the difference? You're still only laying out the cost once a year?

True, but at times, you'll have to carry 2 licenses just to be legal. Dove hunting is a perfect example. The HIP(migratory bird stamp) will be attached to your previous license, but the second season actually carries over into the first week on the following year.

 

If you use my example above, purchase your license May 1, then purchase the HIP stamp. Now it will be valid on that license into the following year, thus eliminating the need to carry both licenses.

[bonecollector]

How many people will forget to buy a new license in the middle of the yr? At least in Jan I know I need to have a new license and I could forget if it was in the middle of the yr.

[AZ8]

How many people will forget to buy a new license in the middle of the yr? At least in Jan I know I need to have a new license and I could forget if it was in the middle of the yr.

 

My May 1 example was simply just that, an example.

 

 

[bonecollector]

It could be sept, oct, nov. I just think people would forget to get a new license and could get cited for not having a valid license.

[AZ8]

Along with the migratory bird stamp, the Federal Duck Stamp and the Arizona waterfowl stamp run from July 1 thru June 30. Being able to align your hunting license with those dates would eliminate having to carry 2 licenses.

 

Theres more to Arizona besides elk, deer and turkey hunting. Anyways....just food for thought. If you feel you will forget, just continue buying it on January 1.

[THE RIFLEMAN]

How about 4 year license's or add a lifetime license to your drivers license making road hunting legal or how about a hunting chip imbedded in the palm of your hand or the back of your head and a G&F tracking device to boot!

This is a trojan horse and will be used to introduce things in the name of "public streamlining", sounds a lot like another catch phrase "sequestering"!!!!!

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

I am optimistic on this deal, I think there will be some good things from it. Being able to react to market issues and offer packages will be helpful to many. I hope they do some kind of discount for multiple tag buyers. I buy almost every OTC tag offered and could use come help there. I think we will see some cool packages pop up when turn out is lower on some hunts. Like leftover deals. We will see.