What's next, fees going up! SB5583

[Humptulips]

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5583&Year=2025&Initiative=false

Commission/Director gets to surcharge licenses to balance the budget. Eliminates the need for WDFW to beg for money from the Legislature.

[fishngamereaper]

Are we having fun yet ..

From the text of the bill..

[baldopepper]

Kinda like the proposed senior fees.

[KNOPHISH]

Sent another note, wonder if they are sick of my emails yet?

[Humptulips]

This is the more concerning part to me:

 NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18.  A new section is added to chapter 77.12 6
 RCW to read as follows: 7
 (1) The commission may establish by rule a surcharge on all fees 8
 authorized under chapters 77.32, 77.65, and 77.70 RCW by November 1st 9
 of each odd-numbered year if the commission determines that the 10
 surcharge is necessary to fund inflationary and other increased costs 11
 approved by the legislature in the biennial budget.

[duckmen1]

Ouch second deer license listed $82.80. There are some massive increases in prices. And yet we have more and more opportunities taken away, miss management practices, land given away from our state, and piece by piece our state trying to take away our hunting and fishing rights. Not surprising but where does this end with this state.

[trophyhunt]

It doesn’t end if people keep voting for demoRats.

[Bob33]

It sounds like they are doing away with "Buck" and "Bull" hunts and all male deer and elk permits will be "Quality"?

(4) Persons may apply for special hunting "quality" permits as provided by rule of the commission. The commission designates as "quality" hunts those that allow the harvest of buck deer, bull elk,
or allow the harvest of male big game species that are only available for hunting by a special hunting permit. The commission may authorize a special hunting permit for goat, sheep, moose, or other big game species not specified.

[trophyhunt]

It sounds like they are doing away with "Buck" and "Bull" hunts and all male deer and elk permits will be "Quality"?

(4) Persons may apply for special hunting "quality" permits as provided by rule of the commission. The commission designates as "quality" hunts those that allow the harvest of buck deer, bull elk,
or allow the harvest of male big game species that are only available for hunting by a special hunting permit. The commission may authorize a special hunting permit for goat, sheep, moose, or other big game species not specified.

I don’t see that happening, the wording is kinda confusing, but too much money involved in all the catagories to give any up.  In my opinion

[JimmyHoffa]

I guess since they figure everyone has that extra $25k for gun insurance, might get their cut too.  Except the bowhunters.

[Bob33]

Ouch second deer license listed $82.80. There are some massive increases in prices. And yet we have more and more opportunities taken away, miss management practices, land given away from our state, and piece by piece our state trying to take away our hunting and fishing rights. Not surprising but where does this end with this state.

The only possible bright spot for this massive increase in cost to hunters could be improved draw odds for those who choose to remain in the game. I suspect the number of special hunt permit applicants and hunters in total will decline.

[docsven]

It's all licenses. My WA business license renewal gsurprised me. It is easily 4X what it was even a few years ago.....
but it's nice to see all of those newer State-owned buildings sitting mostly empty down in Olympia

[Griiz]

Ouch second deer license listed $82.80. There are some massive increases in prices. And yet we have more and more opportunities taken away, miss management practices, land given away from our state, and piece by piece our state trying to take away our hunting and fishing rights. Not surprising but where does this end with this state.

The only possible bright spot for this massive increase in cost to hunters could be improved draw odds for those who choose to remain in the game. I suspect the number of special hunt permit applicants and hunters in total will decline.

It wouldn't surprise me to see sportsman and gun owners begin to turn their back on licenses, rules and laws as this state continues to increase costs and pass unconstitutional laws. Whether that be against the state or the federal constitution. At some point it will become, enough is enough and law abiding people will harvest what they want, when they want and will no longer be in the law abiding catagory.

[fishngamereaper]

Keep an eye on the removal of the $10 non reporting fee
Watch it got into the hundreds or even go criminal at some point..

[HUNTIN4SIX]

Keep an eye on the removal of the $10 non reporting fee
Watch it got into the hundreds or even go criminal at some point..

Always disliked that one, and never report and just pay it.  WDFW managed great populations in the past without it.  Its just a lazy tool for revenue and management.  With the rise of the communist in this state, most likely hundreds isnt far off.