License fees /By Will Elliott
Do the math before renewing licenses
Seasons have opened for many fish popular with Western New York anglers and the coming weekend completes the statewide slate for open seasons.
At midnight Friday, muskellunge and bass become fair fish game across the state. But area anglers fishing Lake Erie or Lake Ontario waters must be careful not to keep smallmouth or largemouth bass taken in Province of Ontario waters this coming weekend. Ontario’s bass season will not open until June 27.
Many a non-hunting angler waits until the warm-up season each year to buy the state fishing license, which renews in New York State on Oct. 1.
License fees have not increased since 2002, but this past week a long list of license fee increases were approved in Albany. Those new fee rates become effective Oct. 1. Anglers—and other sporting-license purchasers— should consider doing some math-at-my- age studies of the new fees, especially those at or around age 65.
A lifetime license purchase might be a short-and long-term savings for many sportsmen and women who purchase licenses each year.
Almost all license categories will increase. Some will remain the same and a one-day resident fishing license will actually drop from $15 to $5 effective Oct. 1.
But the more important consideration is for sporting persons approaching age 65. Under the new fee system, senior status will be raised from the current age of 65 to age 70.
Many of the categories for anglers, hunters and trapping deserve some close study for the possibility of considerable cost savings. In particular, moving on the purchase of a lifetime license under the current fees could be good.
For example, if a 65-year-old angler does not buy a lifetime fishing license, that angler will pay $29 to legally fish during the next five years, for a total of $145 in fees paid. Acting now, under current lifetime fees, that angler can obtain a license for life at $50, which also voids a $10 annual charge under the new fee structure.
The Sportsman license, which combines fishing, small game and big game hunting, is the best bargain for those at age 65-69. Bought now, that resident Senior (age 65 and older) lifetime license is $50. After Oct. 1, that age group will pay $765 for a Lifetime Resident Sportsman License.
For those license buyers much younger than age 65, obtaining a lifetime license now, well before Oct. 1, might be a wise decision. Even if you have purchased a current fishing, hunting or trapping license, the costs jump considerably from this to next fee-period rates, especially for younger folk.
Now, a Lifetime Sportsman license for ages 0-4 is $300; after Oct. 1 it will be $380. For kids 5-11, it rises from $420 to $535. And for all adults, which now extends to age 69 under the new fee system, costs jump from $600 to $765.
Department of Environmental Conservation offices and license-issuing agents can begin new-fee sales Aug. 17 this year and all lifetime license rates remain available at 2008-09 prices until Sept. 30. All purchased licenses will be issued upon purchase; however, DEC officials suggest hunters make those buys early to ensure that any/all permit tags that are sent yearly for lifetime buyers arrive in time for the early seasons such as bow hunting.
Only New York State residents can apply for Lifetime Licenses, and applicants must be a resident of the state for at least one year before applying for any sporting license. Adult/parent/ caregivers purchasing lifetime licenses for youths must have the child’s birth certificate and proof of state residency.
Copies of the current and new fee schedule can be obtained at DEC offices statewide. To view the rates and terms of all Lifetime Sporting Licenses, go to the DEC Web site at dec. ny.gov/permits/6099.html.
Fishing fees fly
Despite the increased cost of fishing licenses in New York and other states, reports from American Sportfishing Association indicate marked increases in license sales and tackle purchases.
ASA CEO Mike Nussman cites an 11 percent overall increase in state fishing license sales for the first quarter of this year. Execs at Rapala have seen double-digit sales increases and Berkley/Pure Fishing officials report good product purchases, especially for youth and women tackle items.
Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation compiles stats on angling activity. RBFF notes nearly 40 million anglers will generate more than $45 billion in retail sales, employing more than 1 million workers involved in fishing.
Trivia quiz: The most targeted fish species? For freshwater, it’s the largemouth bass; for saltwater fishing, flounders are out front.
For all sportsmen and women seeking licenses for their forthcoming pursuits, look closely at upcoming costs to see if a lifetime license might be your better option when making those renewal purchases.
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