Hunting, fishing fee proposal dies

BOISE – A proposed 14 percent increase in hunting and fishing license fees appears to be dead, although some increase may still come this year after a House committee on Tuesday decided to permanently hold the current legislation.

There was little discussion after Rep. Mike Moyle asked members to wait for new legislation to come to the committee later this year.

Moyle said after the meeting that while many organized sportsmen’s groups indicated support for the bill, individual hunters and anglers have been contacting lawmakers asking for a lesser increase.

“If I had to make a guess, I’d say it could be under 10 percent,” Moyle said.

However, Moyle, assistant majority floor leader, said he has not talked with Fish and Game Director Steve Huffaker about any possible changes.

During the most recent hearing, sportsmen and outfitters gave the 14 percent increase mixed reviews. It would have raised the department’s revenue by about $3 million.

Fees would have gone up less than $5 for a hunting and fishing combination license. The increase would also apply to animal tags and permits. Nonresident fees would have gone up a similar percentage.