This is tied directly with the proposed changes to the seasons they put forward. Rifle hunters are the largest group so they figure they can make the most money from them. You watch, the fee for permit apps alone will double after they approve the seasons in the next two days.
I wouldn't have a problem paying higher license fees if the agency was a non-appropriated agency, but every dime we spend on licenses and tags goes to the general fund. This state, at the direction of the queen and those before her has never managed for the resource, only the dollars.