FWP Commission to look at raising hunting, fishing fees

The idea of raising the cost of hunting and fishing licenses was broached at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission's Jan. 19 meeting in Helena.

The additional money could be used to bolster revenues for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which have declined by about $2 million a year for the past two years.

The lost revenue is blamed on fewer licenses sold during the recession, high runoff last spring affecting fishing opportunities, high fuel costs deterring travelers, the perception of declining game numbers because of wolves, and a decrease in the number of nonresident license sales. FWP revenue is expected to continue to decline this year.

The last time Montana residents saw license fees increase was in 2005. Nonresident fees, which account for about two-thirds of FWP's $35 million in annual operating costs, were raised in 2001, except for hunters, who saw an increase last year.

While FWP has tried to rein in spending, its savings could be depleted by 2015, according to Sue Daly, the department's finance division administrator.

Raising fees would not affect FWP's budget until 2015, but eliminating discounts to senior citizens, youths, former Montana residents and veterans could have a more immediate effect, Daly said.