PA hunting license fee going up

[scruff]

State Game Commission proposes increasing hunting license fees
August 25, 2015 2:50 PM
Associated Press
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/o...s/201508250157

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking approval for what would be the first increase in hunting license fees in 16 years.

The plan unveiled today would boost the cost of an adult resident hunting license by $20 over five years.

The current $19 fee would initially increase by $10 in the first year and then by $5 in years three and five under the plan, which requires legislative approval. The price of a non-resident adult license would double over the same period to $200.

Junior and senior license fees for residents wouldn’t change.

Commission officials say they rely on fee revenue for nearly 40 percent of their agency’s operating budget. They say personnel costs, including salaries, health care and pensions, have more than doubled since the last fee increase.

[theunrulychef]

While I'm not opposed to raising the fee to make sure PGC staff are paid & have healthcare, doubling it within 5 years does seem quite extreme. When was the last time the fee increased, and how much of a percentage was it?

[P89]

You would think with all the logging and gas drilling on game lands the need for extra funding wouldn't exist.
I'll call it for what it is...greed.

[Bang]

Just a thought..... it's the economy _ _ _ _ _ _.

[bogey1]

Anything to get money from the people.

[ar15jules]

For the amount of time afield that I spend every year, it is still much cheaper than going to a concert or pro sporting event. Well worth it to me.

[Boondox]

Years ago I read it cost the game com about 35 bucks for every ring neck that made it to a hunters bag.
I vote , drop that program or sell the ring neck guys a stamp.
At least stop turning the birds loose in a heavily coyote infested area ........ that's a lot of $$$ just to feed the coyotes.
Coyotes will take care of themselves.
I'm just about done buying licenses anyhow.

[Sandcut]

I'd say that not having a price increase in 16 years despite other costs rising dramatically seems pretty fair. When my wife and I got married 19 years ago, we could fill a shopping cart for $125. Now, the same cart full would be over $300.

$40 for a license is a bargain. Hell, a box of 30.06 shells will cost you that much. I expect to hear a bunch of whining and griping about it from guys that will spend more money than that on beer and stogies the first weekend at deer camp. Even with the price increase, you can buy a tag for every season that can be hunted, including the Federal duck stamp, for under $200. Considering that you can hunt or trap some form of game animal every day of the year, the license only costs about 54¢/day.

It's the best deal in town as far as I'm concerned.

[Hokkmike]

I'm smiling as I have my Senior License now....

[STBear]

Still a bargain for the amount of things you can hunt and the time you can spend in the field. It's cheap compared to other states. What hasn't gone up in 16 years?