Hunting, fishing licenses to cost more — or less

It might cost more or less to hunt and fish in Utah in the future, depending on which licenses you buy.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing fee changes for the 2007 season. Changes would allow the agency to continue managing wildlife effectively and provide hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers with some additional services.

The new fees would start July 1, 2007.

"Those who pay a $5 fee to apply in the big game draw each year, but then do not buy any other licenses or permits, would be the ones most affected by the changes," said Jim Karpowitz, director of the DWR. "Those who already buy Utah hunting and fishing licenses would not be affected as much. In fact, in some cases, they may actually pay less."

The price of the several licenses would be reduced.

A combination would go from $34 to $30, a resident deer from $40 to $35, a resident elk from $65 to $45 and a resident turkey from $40 to $35.

Increases would include a resident small game going from $27 to $26, non-resident small game going from $45 to $65 and drawing applications from $50 to $10.

The DWR is also recommending a major change in how people apply in Utah's draw permits.

Before applying for or buying any hunting permit, all hunters, including big game hunters, would be required to buy a small game or combination license.

In addition to allowing the holder to apply for or buy a permit, the license would allow the holder to hunt.

In addition to the big game changes, the DWR is also proposing:

• Those who don't have a hunting or fishing license would be required to pay a fee to visit the state's wildlife and waterfowl management areas. A Watchable Wildlife pass would be available for $10 and would allow the purchaser access to the state's WMAs for 365 days from the day the pass was purchased. The pass would also provide the holder access to all of the Watchable Wildlife events and festivals in Utah for which a fee is charged to attend.

• 12- and 13-year-old anglers would be required to buy a $5 fishing license. "For every license sold to these young anglers, the division would collect $12 in federal aid. That money would then be invested in fish hatcheries and other programs that would make fishing better in the state," Karpowitz said.

Other proposed changes include:

• Increase the trout limit at Scofield from 4 to 8 trout.