Here is just an idea of what Texas hunters pay for the use of public lands managed by the state, there is federal hunt fees depending on species. It is not a deal breaker for the US middle class. It is roughly $141.00 per person annually. This is not looking at private lands or club ownership, a totally different discussion .
TEXAS Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package
For residents who hunt and fish freshwater and/or salt water, the “Super Combo” package can save purchasers up to $18. It includes the following at a discount price:
•a Resident Hunting License,
•a Resident Fishing License
•and all 5 state endorsements (archery, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing with a red drum tag, upland game bird and migratory game bird).
•The Federal Duck Stamp is not included.
“Super Combo” License Package (Type 111):$68
Plus
Annual Public Hunting Permit — $48 Full privileges including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and other recreational uses.
The 2018-19 Federal Duck Stamp: The stamps, which cost $25, are valid from July 1 through June 30, 2018. Duck stamps are a required annual purchase for waterfowl hunters 16 and older, and a current duck stamp grants the bearer free entrance into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.
BUT there is hope on the way in the Recovering America Wildlife Act (RAWA). It is still in congress for vote.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 4647), introduced by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebraska) in late 2017, would provide $1.3 billion in dedicated annual funding to state fish and wildlife agencies. The funding would largely go toward conserving and monitoring state-identified at-risk species, known as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). The dedicated funds would come from revenue generated by energy and mineral extraction royalties currently collected by the federal government at about $5 billion to $12 billion annually.
Since 2000, state fish and wildlife agencies have pulled from a much smaller funding stream known as the State Wildlife Grants program. This program is vulnerable to the whims of Congressional appropriators each year, though, and it is typically only funded at about $50 million to $60 million annually. Such limited funding only provides state agencies with the ability to address a few of the SGCN-related projects deemed necessary within their conservation action blueprints, known as State Wildlife Action Plans. For example, in fiscal year 2017, wildlife professionals with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation had just $2.3 million to work with in order to conserve more than 350 at-risk species.
I really enjoy the vastly different outlooks on the fees for wildlife use ( hunting/ non-hunting) and different cultural perspective. Please support RAWA
