Hunting, Fishing License Fees to Increase Sept. 1

Starting Sept. 1, the base cost of most Washington hunting and fishing licenses will increase.

In a news release, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said that this is the first general recreational license fee increase in more than a decade.

Without the license fee increase, WDFW said it would have been
forced to make major cuts in hunting and fishing seasons and opportunities.

"Fishing and hunting contribute more than $1.4 billion a year to the state’s economy, benefitting local communities, small business
owners and the people they employ," WDFW Director Phil Anderson said. "Maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity is vital to Washington’s economy and quality of life."

The department announced the new fees, which will replace a
temporary license surcharge that expired in June, are expected to generate about $8 million annually for activities that support hunting and recreational fishing.

Recreational license and permit revenue is used to manage fisheries and hunting seasons, produce trout and steelhead for recreational
fisheries, enforce regulations, monitor fish and game populations and help maintain wildlife lands.

The 2011 Legislature approved the new fees to help meet rising
costs and a shortfall in revenue for managing hunting, fishing and the fish and wildlife populations that are the focus of those activities.

Not all license fees will increase, and some will decline, including those for youths, seniors and people with disabilities. New license fee prices are available on the WDFW website.

"The new fees are critically important in maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity and make it possible for the department to
fulfill its dual mission of conserving species while providing sustainable
fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation across the state," Anderson said. "The fees reflect the cost of managing specific fisheries and hunts, and are competitive with fees charged in neighboring states. At the same time, we made an effort to encourage broad participation through youth and senior discounts."