Hunting License Increase Won’t Cure Agency’s Ills Fish And Game Likely Will Ask For More Money Next Year

Even though hunters probably will pay more for licenses in 1999, the agency that manages Idaho’s fish and wildlife still will face serious financial problems in the new century.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, with 500 employees and a $54 million budget, is funded solely by hunters and anglers. Nationally, the number of hunters is dropping. And when that trend catches up to Idaho, it could send the department seeking funding from the general public.

The Fish and Game Commission last week approved a $1.75 million fee hike for hunting licenses and elk and deer tags. But that increase, which must be approved by the Legislature, would finance only programs to boost elk and deer populations and to enforce hunting rules. Spending increases for programs such as nature centers, school wildlife programs and non-game species will be deferred until next year.

Even then, the $5 million proposed just to keep the agency providing current services will mean another increase in hunting and fishing license fees - this one by as much as 50 percent.

“We’re running the risk of getting a little increase this year and having to go back next year and ask for $4 million or $5 million and have this wave of opposition meet us,” said Commissioner Jeff Siddoway of Terreton, who was the lone opponent in last week’s vote for a smaller fee increase.

Most outdoor groups in the state support the smaller increase, but many remain skeptical of the agency and its growing mission to protect wildlife that cannot be shot or caught.

“We want to make sure the future of the department rests on the huntable species,” said Ed Lindahl, a hunter from Moscow.

Some states have separate taxes dedicated to funding fish and wildlife programs. Others simply allocate general tax dollars for fish and game departments.

“I’m very much in favor of having most of our management funding come from hunting and fishing licenses,” Gov. Phil Batt said.

“It may be time for the general fund to fund other outdoor activities.”

Fish and Game Department officials will put together another funding proposal. However, Commissioner Nancy Hadley Hanson of Sandpoint said, “I think there’s a need for some real education that hunters’ dollars pay for the department.”

Hunting groups worry that if others fund the department, groups such as animal rights activists will gain more influence in attempts to restrict their sport.

But unless hunters fund wildlife programs popular with non-hunters, the department will have even more trouble finding funding sources.

Even among many hunters, support is growing to expand funding sources beyond licenses.

“Particularly for non-game wildlife,” Batt said. “It’s a sad fact of life that there are fewer people hunting.”