"We did a study and found salaries within the division are significantly lower than in other states. It also showed that we have fewer wildlife employees per capita than any of the wildlife agencies in the West.

"People think we're a big, fat government agency. Actually, we're a very lean, very efficient and relatively small wildlife agency, and we need more money at this point to keep going. We have a tremendous resource to take care of. We produce a million pounds of fish a year. We have one of the highest quality big game programs in the West, yet we are a very small wildlife agency by comparison."

The new license program will also help bring in more federal revenue.

"Because a basic license will now be required, we will be able to get federal aid for every new license. For a combination, because it's hunting and fishing, we'll get $22 in federal aid. That's money sportsman won't have to come up with.

"In the case of the fishing license for 12-year-olds, for every $5 license we sell we can collect $12 in federal aid. We need this money to support our growing urban fishing program. We now have 44 urban fisheries."

Eventually, the DWR will be introducing a watchable wildlife fee for those persons going onto some of the wildlife management areas. The fee, or a hunting or fishing license, will allow people to enjoy the benefits of the management areas. Currently, there are more bird-watchers visiting Farmington Bay than waterfowl hunters.

"We're not sure how we're going to implement this program. We've had a lot of nonhunts, nonfishermen ask about such a fee. Colorado introduced a program a few years ago, and it has been very successful," he noted.

The bottom line is that those with a small-game or combination license will save money by buying hunt permits after Sunday. Those without those licenses will save money by buying after Sunday.

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E-mail: grass@desnews.com