WA Fish and Wildlife Commission Reverses Course, Approves 15% Hunter, Angler Fee Hike

August 29, 2018

Hunters and anglers will see a 15 percent increase to hunting fees, if approved by the legislature.

Excerpt: In a conference call Monday, the commission approved a 15 percent increase to hunter and angler license fees. The fee increase will be presented to the Gov. Jay Inslee as part of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife’s 2019-21 budget proposal in mid-September. The Legislature ultimately approves any budget change.

In addition to the fee increase, the commission asked for a cap to be placed on license packages to help reduce the financial burden on higher-spending customers. That cap would bundle certain fishing and hunting license options. For fishing bundles, the increase would not exceed $7 and for hunting bundles, the increase would not exceed $15, said Nate Pamplin, the department’s policy director.

Read the full story from The Spokesman-Review.