Wisconsin lawmakers vote to hike fishing, hunting fees
April 27th, 2005 by Fishing admin
Wisconsin lawmakers vote to hike fishing, hunting fees
JR Ross, Associated Press
April 27, 2005 WIFEES0427
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsinites would pay more to fish and hunt deer, small game and turkey under a proposal the Legislature’s budget committee approved Tuesday.
But the Joint Finance Committee’s plan, approved 12-4, scaled back some of those fees compared to what Gov. Jim Doyle had originally proposed in his budget. Altogether, resident and non-resident sportsmen would pay an additional $13 million over the next two years to hunt and fish, compared to an additional $15.75 million under the governor’s proposal.
The plan includes increasing the resident deer hunting license to $24 — an increase of $4 over the current fee but $8 less than what the governor proposed.
Rep. Dan Meyer, R-Eagle River, said the package was a compromise between what the governor asked for and what was fair for sportsmen.
“They’re telling me and other people at this table that they don’t want the big fee increase. I think their voice counts,” said Meyer, who helped craft the proposals.