(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - Fees for Alaska sport fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and tags will increase beginning January 1, 2017. The Alaska State Legislature raised the fees last session through the passage of House Bill 137, which received broad support from user groups. The new rates mark the first time in 24 years that hunting license and tag fees have increased, while sport fishing licenses last increased about 10 years ago.

"Alaska's new prices are in line with other states," said Commissioner Sam Cotten, and in fact, "are significantly less expensive for resident hunters because Alaskans don't pay resident hunting tag fees."

Changes under the new law are not limited to fee increases. Alaska residents under the age of 18 will not be required to purchase hunting or fishing licenses or state waterfowl or king salmon stamps. The requirements for nonresident anglers over the age of 16 remain unchanged, and those individuals must purchase fishing licenses and stamps. Nonresident hunters and trappers of all ages must purchase appropriate licenses, tags, and stamps.

Revenue from license, stamp, and tag fees for sport fishing, hunting, and trapping are used to directly fund state fish and wildlife management and conservation. The fee increases will enable the state to leverage tens of millions of Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson federal aid dollars, which provide core management and conservation funding.

The license fee increase was supported by conservation and sportsmen's groups as well as the guiding industry, including the Territorial Sportsmen, Safari Club International, Kenai River Sportfishing Association, Alaska Professional Hunters Association and the Alaska Outdoor Council.

Licenses for 2017 are available online, at 2016 rates, through the end of the year at www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=license.main.

On the Web:

Full list of prices beginning January 1, 2017
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/pdfs/
2016_2017_alaska_license_fees.pdf

Reporting & Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Fish and Game
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov

 

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