Conservation Groups Want To Raise Wisc Fees

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Fourteen conservation organizations joined in support of raising Wisconsin fishing and hunting license fees to help close a Department of Natural Resources budget shortfall.

On Thursday the groups presented a list of recommendations to Gov. Scott Walker and legislators that would bring $4.12 million in additional revenue to the agency.

In addition, they suggested legislators find another funding source for the approximately $750,000 needed annually to administer and regulate the Great Lakes commercial fishing industry. The funding now comes from sportsmens' dollars.

In a letter, the conservation groups said they "recognize that revenues necessary to properly manage fish and wildlife habitat and populations have not kept pace with the expenses of doing so" and they are "asking our state agency and state legislature to please consider the following proposed dedicated fee increases."

The organizations proposed six fee hikes:

» Archery and gun deer licenses would cost $27 (up $3), raising an estimated additional $1.75 million annually.

» The inland trout stamp would cost $15 (up $5), generating $718,000 more.

» The Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp would cost $15 (up $5), boosting revenue by $662,300.

» The bear tag application fee would cost $10 (up $5.60), adding $603,000.

» The state waterfowl stamp would cost $12 (up $5), raising $303,500 more.

» The otter application fee would cost $8 (up $5), generating an extra $80,800.

A DNR report in December detailed a $4 million annual funding deficit in its Fish and Wildlife Account, which derives about 90% of its revenue from fishing and hunting license sales, according to the agency. The shortfall has caused the DNR to cut some programs and activities.

Changes in hunting and fishing fees require approval by the Legislature. The recommendations could be included in the 2017-'19 state budget bill or a Legislator could introduce a specific bill with the changes.

Although Minnesota and Michigan have increased hunting and fishing license fees in recent years, the Wisconsin Legislature has taken a dim view of such moves. No increase has been enacted since 2005 in most licenses, and some have been held level since the 1990s.

It's not clear how the Legislature will react to the proposals.

Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), chairman of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage, said Friday he hadn't reviewed the proposals and didn't want to comment specifically on them.

"Overall, however, I think the answer to better revenue numbers is adding to our numbers of hunters and fishers, not increases in the costs to hunt and fish," Kleefisch said.

Individual license hike recommendations were sponsored by specific groups and supported by the coalition of 14 groups. The organizations represent "hundreds of thousands of dedicated outdoorsmen and women," according to the letter.

"The hunters, trappers and anglers of Wisconsin are once again stepping forward and asking you, our public representatives, to increase these fees in order to provide for the future of the sporting lifestyles we love," the groups wrote. "We respectfully urge you to take these actions."

The groups that signed the letter were: Ducks Unlimited; Federation of Great Lakes Sport Fishermen; National Wild Turkey Federation (Wisconsin State Chapter); Pheasants Forever; Quality Deer Management Association; Ruffed Grouse Society; Safari Club International (WI Chapter, NE Chapter, Badgerland Chapter and SE Bow Chapter); Trout Unlimited; Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association; Wisconsin Bowhunters Association; Wisconsin Conservation Congress; Wisconsin Trappers Association; Wisconsin Waterfowl Association; Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.