On May 9, the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a policy briefing on Senate Bills 30 and 192, legislation that would provide the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) the authority to establish license and permit fees.
Members of the Caucus were joined by representatives from Hunters Sharing the Harvest; Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs; Pheasants Forever; Trout Unlimited; Directors and staff from the PGC and PFBC; and Governor Wolf’s Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation Advisor Robb Miller.
The ability to price hunting and fishing licenses at an appropriate amount and to properly adjust for changing economic conditions is critical to the conservation of fish and wildlife resources and their habitat. In recent years, political roadblocks have, unfortunately, hindered the ability of hunting and fishing license fees to keep pace with inflation – hunting licenses fees have remained the same price since 1999, and fishing licenses since 2005. Beyond ensuring that license fees keep pace with changing economic conditions, providing the state agencies the regulatory authority to adjust fees will allow them to more nimbly implement hunter and angler recruitment and retention programs, which, in the long-term, ensures funding for state-level conservation.
Supporters of this event included Pheasants Forever and Trout Unlimited.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
