Legislature finds fix for wildlife division funding
The issue of funding for Ohio Division of Wildlife operations might seem in flux, but the latest legislative effort to keep the agency liquid seems to have gained broad approval.
Hatched in the General Assembly under the bipartisan sponsorship of Sen. Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township) and Sen. Sean O’Brien (D-Bazetta), Senate Bill 257 will allow, among other things, the purchase of long-term hunting and fishing licenses at a discount.
The bill unanimously passed the House last month and was expected to be signed by Gov. John Kasich. The law’s provisions will go into effect 90 days after signing.
While acknowledging guesswork is involved, Ohio Department of Natural Resources spokesman Matt Eiselstein said an immediate benefit will be a A full moon rises as fishermen come in to dock for the evening on Wednesday at Separation Lake Lodge in Kenora, Ontario, Canada.
boost in license sales.
“We expect to generate an additional $1.5 million increase in
revenue over a threeyear period,” he said.
A year ago, the funding issue created
turmoil when wildlife division administrators, including several exchiefs, joined numerous hunting, fishing and conservation groups in support of an increase in resident license fees. Their aim was to shore up what they described as an agency in need of a revenue boost.
The wildlife division’s funding is generated almost exclusively by the sale of licenses and permits to hunters, fishermen and trappers. A decline in participation has hit revenues of self-funded wildlife agencies across the country.
ODNR director James Zehringer not only opposed a license-fee increase, but in the aftermath of the public dust-up fired or reassigned top wildlife officials. The shake-up came after the legislature rejected an increase in resident fees in June 2017.
The Columbus-based Sportsmen’s Alliance, among advocacy groups seeking a fee increase, helped shape this year’s legislation and expressed satisfaction with the results.
Long-term licenses, it’s hoped, “will help increase revenue for the Division of Wildlife, while also stimulating
new participation,” said Luke Houghton, the alliance’s associate director of state services.
Among groups involved in the bill-shaping process were Ducks Unlimited, League of Ohio Sportsmen, Ohio Conservation Federation, Ohio State Trappers Association, two Safari Club International chapters, Buckeye Firearms Association and several county conservation clubs.
The legislation as introduced called for a 10 percent discount on the purchase of longterm licenses. However, the coalition of conservation groups pushed for and got a 5 percent discount to minimize revenue loss.
Other provisions include:
• Establishment of a $10 walleye permit for non-residents. The permit, required on Lake Erie between Jan. 1 and April 30 of each year, must be purchased in addition to a nonresident fishing license.
• Permitting the use of ATVs/UTVs for the disabled while hunting public and private land.
• Elimination of the three-year cap on purchasing apprentice Multiyear discounts Adult hunting or fishing Senior hunting or fishing (age 65 and older) Youth hunting (age 17 and younger) Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources hunting licenses.
• Creation of an apprentice fur-taker permit.
• Addition of a 4 percent writing fee on licenses.
• Permitting the use of turkey permits for an entire license year.
• Making fishing licenses valid for one year from the date of purchase.
• Returning the cost of non-resident youth fishing licenses to $9.
Supporters of the bill believe the availability of long-term licenses won’t likely impact the federal funding that provides a hefty share of wildlife division revenue. That funding is based in large part on license sales.
Money collected on the sale of long-term licenses will be held in a separate fund and disbursed to the wildlife division annually on a prorated basis.
Parting shots
Turtle season opens Sunday. Only snappers and softshells of prescribed size are legal. … Lottery applications for special deer and waterfowl hunts can be submitted through July 31. Visit wildohio.gov for details.