Why It Matters: Widely known as the most successful conservation framework in the world, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation has flourished, in part, due to the “user pays – public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). Sportsmen and women play a pivotal role in this system through the purchase of sporting licenses. Thus, hunters make up the bulk of the funding for most state fish and wildlife agencies.
Highlights:
- In December 2024, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) voted to increase most hunting and fishing licenses by approximately 28%, among other changes.
- In 2025, that same license fee increase that was approved by the Commission was withdrawn from consideration before it could receive final approval from the Joint Government Operations Committee.
- As previously reported, throughout the 2026 legislative session, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), alongside numerous other sporting conservation partners, advocated for a dedicated conservation funding mechanism in Tennessee, which ultimately did not come to fruition this year although the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) did receive a $10 million appropriation.
- Now, once again, there is a proposed license fee increase to address the funding gap facing the TWRA.
On the heels of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly, there is both welcome news and work to do. On the upside, the TWRA received a much-needed $10 million investment from Governor Lee’s fiscal budget. On the other hand, an all-hands-on-deck effort to secure a sustainable, dedicated conservation funding mechanism in the Volunteer State fell short.
With no dedicated funding source in place following this year’s legislative session, the TWRA is once again looking at a license fee increase similar to the December 2024 proposal to bridge the funding gap that the agency is experiencing. Overall, Tennessee’s hunters and anglers could see an increase of approximately 27%, among other license restructuring changes. The Commission is set to discuss the proposal at its upcoming meeting on August 21 in Nashville. If passed by the Commission, the proposed change will still need final approval from the Joint Government Operations Committee before becoming effective next year.
It has been over 10 years since the last license fee increase in Tennessee. Since then, the cost of doing business has consistently increased while funding for the Agency has not kept up. Even with the budget shortfalls, the TWRA has been expected to deliver the same on the ground conservation work, maintain an effective law enforcement presence, and manage the state’s game and non-game species for all of Tennessee. While a license fee increase in accordance with the Consumer Price Index would be welcome news for the TWRA, a long-term, more sustainable funding model should still be top priority for hunters, anglers, and game managers alike.
CSF remains committed to working with in-state and national partners, the TWRA, and members of the Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to move forward an impactful and much-needed dedicated conservation funding mechanism as we lead up to the 2027 legislative session. There are several examples of dedicated funding mechanisms that are successful in other states, like a dedicated tax on outdoor gear or dedicating lottery funds to conservation, for example.