LDWF seeking license fee increases; proposal could mean $10 million annually

Hunting and fishing license fees could increase for Louisiana residents if a proposed restructuring of license fees is approved by legislators during the legislative session set to begin on March 12, 2018.
Louisiana Sportsman reported that this is the first time in 18 years that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries makes such a proposal, and that if approved, “could generate $10.4 million in annual revenue for the agency.”
According to the website, “The Department, which does not receive any state general fund money but is heavily dependent on oil and gas mineral revenues and user fees to operate, has seen its expenses exceed revenues for about the last three years — and that pattern is projected to continue through at least 2020.”
During a presentation of the plan to Louisiana Sportsman Friday, LDWF’s Executive Counsel Cole Garrett said, “Since 2015-16, expenditures have evened up with revenues, and since then you’re looking at deficit spending, which is not a sustainable way for you to operate your checkbook — or for us to operate this agency. We don’t want to be in the position our Legislature finds itself in — which is trying to plug a hole — and we definitely don’t want to be reliant as a state general fund agency.”
Garrett went then said, “We are heavily dependent on mineral revenue, so when you see that sharp decline in the last couple of years — even though it’s kind of leveled out as of late, it’s not what you want to rely on for day-to-day programatic operations.”
Along with the potential increase in fees, LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said steps are also being taken to cut costs internally.
According to Louisiana Sportsman, some of those steps include “reviewing contracts and leases statewide and not filling all open positions,” and that “more than $5 million dollars in expenses already had been scrubbed from the 2019 budget.”
If approved by the legislature, fee increases would go into effect for recreational anglers and hunters on July 1, 2019 and then on January 1, 2020 for commercial fishermen.
Below are the details on the potential license fee increases as reported by Louisiana Sportsman.
Fishing: The fee for hook and line (cane pole) fishing would move from $2.50 to $5. The basic fishing license would move from $9.50 to $13.50, and include a host of other gear licenses that are currently sold separately. The saltwater fishing license fee would remain at $13, and also include shrimp trawl and oyster tong privileges. Of that fee, $9.50 would continue to go to the LA Creel program. A new standalone crab license would be required for $5 and would cover those using traps or fishing on the side of the road.
Hunting: The basic hunting license would move from $15 to $20. A $20 deer hunting license (including archery and primitive weapons) would replace the current resident big game license that currently sells for $14. A waterfowl license would go from $5.50 to $10, with $7.50 of that fee going to the state’s waterfowl program. A turkey license would sell for $20 and would be required in addition to the basic hunting license, with $7.50 of the new license fee going to the turkey program. The price of the all-inclusive Sportsman’s Paradise license actually dropped from $100 to $90.
Youth hunting fee: One major change is a $5 youth hunting license, which has no minimum age and would be required only for deer and turkey. This is one area where the department hopes to certify more hunters to obtain those federal matching funds.
Senior fees: Another aspect of the new plan is that it would raise the senior discount age from 60 to 65. Currently, senior residents age 60 and up get a combo fish/hunt license for just $5.
Under the new proposal, seniors 65 and up would get a 50 percent discount and pay $6.75 for a basic fishing license, $6.50 for a saltwater license and $2.50 for a crabbing license. Additionally, 65-plus seniors would pay half price for hunting privileges, meaning $10 for basic hunting, $10 for deer, $5 for waterfowl and $10 for turkey.
Non-resident fees: Fees for non-resident hunters and anglers were raised to be more in line with other Gulf states. A basic fishing license would cost a non-resident $54, $52 for a non-resident saltwater license and $20 for a non-resident crabbing license. The non-resident basic hunting license would be $200, and non-resident licenses for waterfowl, deer and turkey would be $100 each. Five-day non-resident packages are also available.
According to Louisiana Sportsman, the bill “has not officially been filed yet,” and will be handled in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jerome Zeringue (R).
With the state facing a fiscal cliff, Louisiana Sportsman also reported that Garrett “acknowledged it may not be the best time to ask to increase hunting and fishing license fees.”
“We understand it’s not the year. It’s not the right time,” Garrett said. “We understand they’re working on a billion dollar budget hole down there, and it may not be popular for us to come and say, ‘Hey, three or four years from now we might be in trouble.’ But we think it’s the responsible thing to do.”