As a result, with annual inflation sitting at four percent, the 2000 fee increase is barely covering the impacts of inflation on Game and Fish operations. In effect, the 2000 fee adjustment is sort of doing what it was intended to do. What will continue to happen is that every few years Game and Fish will be forced to ask the legislature to support another increase in hunting and fishing license fees. A few bucks here, a few bucks there. This scenario can change, and it will, if the citizens of Wyoming get behind some sort of realistic long-term funding proposal.
Funding is a serious problem facing fish and wildlife management in Wyoming.
It s important for all citizens to realize that hunters and anglers pay for the state s conservation programs. Game and Fish does not receive any funding from the legislature. User fees, not taxes, pay the way for wildlife in Wyoming. There are no mandatory contributions. Hunting and fishing license fees and federal excise taxes, through hunting and fishing equipment and motorboat fuel sales, pay the way, Wichers says.