PROPOSED LICENSE FEE MEETINGS

[.270]

triton, i think it was just 2 years ago when the permit fees were last raised. everything went up a little. it had been awhile before that.

 

the only thing about raising the fees is that it may drive away some folks. we're a minority. we need all the allies we can get. if even a few folks quit hunting, at least big game, we're losing guys on our side. i know one way of looking at it is that it will make less competition for the tags for the rest of us. but it could also make less folks on our side. i like to see folks hunt. anyone. some guys need to have their licenses revoked and stuff, but those guys are few and far between. kids just starting hunting, folks on tight budgets, etc., we need em all to like to hunt and to have the opportunity to hunt. it's a good thing. it's good for people to get out and breathe some clean air and have some fun in the wild stuff. just hope the g&f doesn't ask for a huge increase right off. also, i think there is some rule that says nonresident permits can only be so many times as expensive as resident permits. that is probably part of the increase, so they can really jack up the nonresident permits. but i don't see this hurting taulman's business, but in fact may help him. he makes a fortune by using the capital given to him by the hunter pool. this will just give him more capital, because his clients are gonna hafta fork over more upfront money. only way to win is with legislation. i hate to see the feds get involved in state business, but maybe that's the only way here. Lark.

[TAM]

The last time the fees were increased was 1998, at least that's what it says on the AZ G&F website. Seven years is a long time for any business to go without an increase in prices. I have vendors that I work with that have raised prices three times so far this year! It also mentions that G&F is dealing with budget short falls as a result of a drop in hunting and fishing license sales over the last decade. (Perhaps Lark is right and they can't budget their money?) Sounds like they are also looking to use the additional money from fee increases to promote wildlife and improve habitat.

 

Allen is right, everyone should be sending emails to their Senators in support of Senate Bill 2978. Follow this link and go to the info page on the AZ G&F website where it provides details on the bill and additional email links to Senators McCain, and Kyle. If we all send them letters like we did the USO sponsors we might just get their attention! http://www.azgfd.com/artman/publish/article_212.shtml

 

Here is the quote from the AZ G&F website, followed by the link:

 

PHOENIX ? The Arizona Game and Fish Department will conduct a series of public meetings on a proposal for an increase to the statutory ceiling for license and tag fees.

 

?It?s important to remember that this proposal only sets the ceiling for fees. Any increase in fees for our customers would have to go through the rulemaking process, including another public comment period,? says Director Duane Shroufe. ?Sales of hunting and fishing licenses fell 16 percent from 1988 through 2003. Without an increase in statutory fee ceilings, the department will be forced to make service and program reductions.?

 

?It?s also important to remember that the last statutory fee increase in 1998 only provided for the maintenance of existing department programs. The current proposal, in addition to meeting budget shortfalls, would allow us to increase wildlife surveys, enhance law enforcement presence in the field, and improve our fish hatchery and fish stocking programs, in addition to improving other important services to our customers,? says Shroufe.

 

http://www.azgfd.com/artman/publish/article_209.shtml

[.270]

i don't know what "statutory" increase means. (have heard o' statutory rape and i'm thinkin' this is similar) but i'm pretty sure elk went from $60 to $76.50, pronghorn from $50 to $64.50, deer from $17.50 to $22.50 in just the past couple years. when they raised it it seems like that was the max that the current rule would allow. maybe 98 was the last time they raised the max. somebody enlighten us. i could be wrong and if i am i'll eventually admit it.......sorta. if i have to. i guess. Lark.

[mike ornoski]

I was at the wcc meeting last week at the game @ fish. the price increase is for over the next 10 years@ is not in stone yet.you all should take all this voice @ frustration to one of these meeting.were lucky to get 15 guys at one of these meeting. you can talk to most of the g@f guys directly becouse this is part of what the meeting is for.also you have the elk,deer,az.bow hunters,desert christian archers,antelope,sheep,houndsmens,walleye and other assosiation all their trying to keep tabs on the game and fish.The only way we as a group are going to turn this thing around is to flood these meeting @ let them know us az hunters are tired of the way thing are.I challenge everbody on this site to go out and make these meetings and let our voices be heard good or bad. mike

[25-06]

Way to go Mike!!! I agree we need to step up to the plate and hit this head on. Everybody needs to speak there opinion.