The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to stave off what they say is an imminent department budget deficit.
LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet anticipated the department to run a deficit by next year because they haven’t raised recreational license fees in 20 years. On top of stagnant fees, the department is hemorrhaging cash from other sources due to recent natural disasters and oil prices.
“Revenue on oil leases and production on our properties went from 70 plus million dollars a year to 12 million dollars a year last year,” said Montoucet.
Montoucet said the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs, along with consolidating the 117 current privileges that you can buy down to about 30. The cost for a Senior Lifetime License would also increase from 50 to 100 dollars under the proposal. Those who already have licenses would be grandfathered in.
Montoucet said along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side. He said commercial licenses haven’t seen an increase in 35 years.
LDWF plans to have the legislation pushing these proposals filed sometime this week. Montoucet made the comments on Talk Louisiana Monday.
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