People...this is a news release from the DWR from clear back in 2006...it was out there for all of us to look at and give input and opions....guess a few of you didnt take the time to go to the RAC's and make a difference...guess ya really dont have alot to gripe about huh? :wink:
Fee change ideas
The DWR is considering some fee change ideas that would provide the agency with some much-needed funding. These ideas are being presented at the upcoming meetings as informational items only and will not be acted on. After receiving input from the public, the DWR will bring the recommendations back to the public for action at meetings in September.
One of the changes the DWR is currently considering would affect how the state's big game drawing is conducted. This idea would likely result in fewer people applying for a Utah limited entry or once-in-a-lifetime big game permit. Reducing the number of applicants would provide the remaining applicants with a better chance at drawing a permit.
"Right now, it costs $5 to apply for a big game permit in Utah," says Greg Sheehan, Administrative Services Section chief for the DWR. "That's among the lowest fees in the western states, and we believe it's one of the main reasons the number of people applying for big game permits in Utah has been climbing for years."
While the number of applicants continues to climb, the number of permits for which to apply hasn't changed much. For example, in 1998, more than 50,000 people applied for about 4,000 permits. In 2006, more than 144,000 people applied for about 4,400 permits.
In 1998, an average of about 13 applications were submitted for every permit that was available. By 2006, that number had climbed to an average of 32 applications per permit.
Jim Karpowitz, director of the DWR, says limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime permits have become very difficult to draw in Utah and that the agency would like to make the few permits that it does have available to people who are willing to partner with the agency to manage the state's wildlife.
"All of our new ideas provide a reasonable and equitable way to distribute the costs of wildlife management to all hunters, as well as to those who participate in the drawing but don't hunt the rest of the year," Karpowitz said.
The DWR is considering three ideas. The agency is asking members of the public to help it choose ONE of them or to provide the agency with some ideas of their own (each idea would generate about $3.7 million in new revenue):
Option 1 (DWR's preferred option):
Before applying in any draw or buying any hunting permit, all hunters, including big game hunters, would be required to buy a hunting license. In addition to allowing the holder to apply for a permit or buy a permit, a hunting license would also allow the holder to hunt small game.
The license would cost $17. Instead of buying a hunting license, hunters could choose to buy a $34 combination license that would also allow them to fish.
This option has two advantages:
A portion of the $3.7 million raised by this option would come to Utah from the federal government as new funds allocated to the state because of increased license sales.
Hunters who already buy small game and combination licenses would not be affected by this change.
Option 2:
In addition to paying the $5 application fee, big game applicants who wanted a bonus point or a preference point would be required to purchase one for $24. Unsuccessful applicants would no longer receive bonus points and preference points for free. Hunters would not have to pay for points that they had accrued in past years.
Option 3:
Hunters could apply in all five of the once-in-a-lifetime draws, and purchase one bonus point for each of the once-in-a-lifetime draws and one bonus point for the limited entry draw. The cost for each bonus point would be $12 per bonus point. Hunters would not have to pay for points that they had accrued in past years. The application fee would remain at $5 per species.
In addition to the ideas about big game fee changes, the DWR is seeking input about some additional fee changes. One of those changes would require that those who don't have a hunting or fishing license pay a fee to visit the state's wildlife and waterfowl management areas (WMAs).
A Watchable Wildlife pass would be available for $10 and would allow the purchaser access to the state's WMAs for 365 days from the day the pass was purchased. The pass would also provide the holder access to all of the Watchable Wildlife events and festivals in Utah for which a fee is charged to attend.
The DWR is also suggesting that a new $5 fishing license be required for 12- and 13-year-old anglers. "For every license sold to these young anglers, the division would collect $14 in federal aid. That money would then be invested in fish hatcheries and other programs that would make fishing better in the state," Karpowitz said.
"To continue managing Utah's wildlife effectively, we have to raise more revenue," Karpowitz said. "If we don't, Utah's wildlife will suffer and so will everyone who enjoys wildlife in the state."