Bills to Increase Hunting and Fishing Fees Debated - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Two bills remain afloat to increase hunting and fishing fees in North Dakota.

Director Terry Steinwand says the departments fund balance has been on the decline because of the amount of money put into the PLOTS program and a loss in revenue in deer licenses.

Steinwand says the game and fish is an user paid organization.

He says they receive their money from hunting and fishing licenses and taxes on hunting and fishing equipment.

He says both the house and senate versions are good bills.

"Actually the senate version is a little higher increase. We looked at it there was no set percentage it was all over the board. It was really what do surrounding states and the region charge at the current time for those same fees and our attitude is we would still like to be below what that regional average is, but it would be an increase," says Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand.

As one example, House Bill 1130 and Senate Bill 2231 both call for an increase in a resident fishing licenses from ten dollars to sixteen dollars.

Increases are also proposed for non-residents.

The bills cover everything from deer licenses to watercraft fees.