Members of the Iowa Natural Resource Commission are expressing frustration about the declining level of state spending on wildlife programs, habitat restoration and acquisition of property for hunting and other outdoor activities. The money for those programs comes from the fees for state hunting, fishing and trapping licenses, fees that haven’t been raised since 2019. Uriah Hansen of Huxley is vice chair of the Natural Resource Commission.
Hansen says since 2019, inflation has skyrocketed.
Hanson points to state records which indicate the number of employees in the Department of Natural Resources has dropped at least 4.5% since 2019. He says the commission had hoped to spearhead a push to raise the fees, but DNR staff have told them they need to show evidence of public support — like a survey of outdoor groups — by mid-December. Hansen says given his role on the state commission, he’s been getting plenty of unsolicited input from Iowans.
Terry Thompson, president of Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club, spoke at the commission’s meeting his month. He says the state desperately needs to increase the Department of Natural Resources budget, and a 5% increase in hunting and fishing license fees would help.
Nebraska’s Game and Parks Commission has proposed raising their state’s hunting and fishing fees by an average of 14% next year. Missouri officials have raised hunting and fishing license rates this year, with significant increases for people who do not live in Missouri. Last year, South Dakota lawmakers approved fee increases for outdoor recreation, including a 66% increase in state park entrance licenses for out of staters.
