Relating to the limits adopted for nonresident deer hunting licenses, and including effective date provisions

Description

House File 2517 allows the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) to issue 6,000 to 8,000 nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses each year. The Bill further specifies that only 35.0% of the licenses can be issued for bow hunting season. The Commission will base its decision with deer herd information received from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Bill also requires the DNR to adopt emergency rules for the change to be effective for the next hunting season.

Background

Each year, the 6,000 nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses available per hunting season are sold out.

Assumptions

• The total cost for a nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting license is $644 (plus taxes and fees). This includes the purchase of an antlerless deer license ($498), a hunting license ($131), and the payment of the wildlife habitat fee ($15).
• It is unknown how many nonresident deer licenses will be issued each year but the minimum number is 6,000 and the maximum number is 8,000.
• The DNR will incur some additional expense; however, it is expected to be minimal.

Fiscal Impact

House File 2517 will increase the revenue to the Fish and Game Trust Fund; however, the exact amount is unknown. The table below compares the fee revenue collected with the sale of 6,000 nonresident antlered or any sex deer hunting licenses to the sale of 8,000 such licenses.License Type Fee 6,000 8,000 Difference Antlerless Deer License 498.00$ 2,988,000$ 3,984,000$ 996,000$ Hunting License 131.00 786,000 1,048,000 262,000 Habitat Stamp 15.00 90,000 120,000 30,000 Total Revenue to Fish and Game Trust Fund 644.00$ 3,864,000$ 5,152,000$ 1,288,000$

Nonresident Licenses

House File 2517 Nonresident Deer Licenses

Sources

• Department of Natural Resources
• LSA Calculations