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State deficit means fees will go up
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 14, 2003
California hunters and fishermen already pay more than most in other states for hunting and fishing licenses. Now they're going to pay even more.
Gov. Gray Davis' plan to pay down the state's $35 billion deficit includes increasing hunting and fishing fees in the state.
Resident sport fishing licenses will go up $2 to $31.25, and resident hunting licenses are to go up $1.75 to $31.25.
All of the increases are expected to raise $4 million to help drive down the budget deficit.
Other fees such as deer tags, nonresident hunting and fishing licenses and commercial fishing licenses also will go up.
Department of Fish and Game director Robert Hight told The Associated Press that the department will cut costs at wildlife areas and ecological reserves, but the director doesn't anticipate closing the areas or imposing fees.
But Hight said $1.2 million will be lopped from the department's urban fishing program.
"(The Urban Fishing Program) will continue, but it will not be as clearly visible and it certainly won't be as large as it is today," Hight said.
Hight is hoping to absorb a proposed $1.5 million cut to the $20.5 million fish hatcheries budget.
"We're looking for anyone who wants to adopt a hatchery," Hight said.
Also, the DFG is considering trying to get more of a share of the general tax funds or fees instead of relying mostly on hunting and fishing license fees for its revenue. Other states send part of their sales or vehicle taxes to wildlife programs, something that would be a giant boost for California's fish and game department.
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 14, 2003
California hunters and fishermen already pay more than most in other states for hunting and fishing licenses. Now they're going to pay even more.
Gov. Gray Davis' plan to pay down the state's $35 billion deficit includes increasing hunting and fishing fees in the state.
Resident sport fishing licenses will go up $2 to $31.25, and resident hunting licenses are to go up $1.75 to $31.25.
All of the increases are expected to raise $4 million to help drive down the budget deficit.
Other fees such as deer tags, nonresident hunting and fishing licenses and commercial fishing licenses also will go up.
Department of Fish and Game director Robert Hight told The Associated Press that the department will cut costs at wildlife areas and ecological reserves, but the director doesn't anticipate closing the areas or imposing fees.
But Hight said $1.2 million will be lopped from the department's urban fishing program.
"(The Urban Fishing Program) will continue, but it will not be as clearly visible and it certainly won't be as large as it is today," Hight said.
Hight is hoping to absorb a proposed $1.5 million cut to the $20.5 million fish hatcheries budget.
"We're looking for anyone who wants to adopt a hatchery," Hight said.
Also, the DFG is considering trying to get more of a share of the general tax funds or fees instead of relying mostly on hunting and fishing license fees for its revenue. Other states send part of their sales or vehicle taxes to wildlife programs, something that would be a giant boost for California's fish and game department.
