A heads-up on increases in fish, game licenses

Last week, I wrote about the drawing permit hunt application requirements during this open application period. I ran out of space before I could say much about the hunts themselves, but I did mention I was applying for moose, caribou, and bison hunts for the 2017 fall season.

One of the requirements to apply for these permit hunts is having a current big game hunting license in your possession when you apply. I think if you are in the process of applying for the 2017 license, that counts as well. Here’s a heads up on the increasing cost of that big game license.

According to a news release posted on the Alaska Fish and Game website, “Fees for Alaska sport fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and tags will increase beginning January 1, 2017. The Alaska State Legislature raised the fees last session through the passage of House Bill 137, which received broad support from user groups. The new rates mark the first time in 24 years that hunting license and tag fees have increased, while sport fishing licenses last increased about 10 years ago.”

Further, “Changes under the new law are not limited to fee increases. Alaska residents under the age of 18 will not be required to purchase hunting or fishing licenses or state waterfowl or king salmon stamps. The requirements for nonresident anglers over the age of 16 remain unchanged, and those individuals must purchase fishing licenses and stamps. Nonresident hunters and trappers of all ages must purchase appropriate licenses, tags, and stamps.”

Continuing, “Licenses for 2017 are available online, at 2016 rates, through the end of the year at www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=license.main. Revenue from license, stamp, and tag fees for sport fishing, hunting, and trapping are used to directly fund state fish and wildlife management and conservation. The fee increases will enable the state to leverage tens of millions of Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson federal aid dollars, which provide core management and conservation funding. The license fee increase was supported by conservation and sportsmen’s groups as well as the guiding industry….”

The fee increases will hit the nonresident much harder than residents. A nonresident sport fishing and hunting license will jump from the current $230 to $305. A current resident hunting and sport fishing license costs $48. After Jan. 1, 2017, that same license will cost $69. Another change is that a Chitna dipnet permit, which is currently free, will cost $15 after the new year.

For both resident and nonresident purchasers, the waterfowl stamp will increase from $5 to $10. For residents, there will be no increase for king salmon, brown/grizzly bear, or muskox stamps or tags.

The major fee increases appear in the big game tags. Residents do not buy these tags, so the increases do not affect us, but non-residents are required to have the appropriate tag for the species they are pursuing. All the non-resident tag fees are doubled in price after Jan. 1, 2017. For example, moose will increase from $400 to $800. Sheep go from $425 to $850 while brown/grizzly tags jump from $500 to $1,000. Non-resident muskox bull tags go from $1,100 to $2,200.

If you have family or friends planning to come hunt in Alaska for the 2017 season, you might want to suggest they go online and purchase their 2017 nonresident hunting license and all their required tags prior to Jan. 1 at the web address listed above.

The 2016-2017 trapping season opened this past Nov. 10. For those who like to walk their pets along popular trails, be aware that various styles of leg-hold and body-grip traps, along with snares, could be set in the areas you frequent. You might want to consider carrying a set of heavy-duty wire cutters, perhaps a couple of “C” clamps, and an eight to ten-foot length of ¼- inch or heavier line to release your pet if it gets caught in a trap or snare. Fish and Game has a booklet showing how to remove the trap using these tools.

Ethical trappers will not make trap sets anywhere near commonly used public trails or areas frequented by recreational hikers, bikers, or pet walkers. Most of the problems with traps harming pets originate with new and unskilled trappers, usually kids, who can’t or won’t make the effort to get off the “beaten path” to set a few traps.

The conflicts can be minimized or even eliminated if trappers avoid frequented public trails and pet owners walk their animals on leashes, as borough ordinances require.