My Rant

[Fly Rod Rob]

I have always had a couple of questions regarding the Tennessee Annual Fishing License.

First, why am I unable to purchase JUST a fishing license? Why am I charged for a hunting/fishing combination (type 001) license? Supposing the fees are equal, then I am paying for $14.00 worth of license that I will never use. I have no problem with the Annual Trout (type 022) or the special permits like the Tellico Daily Permit (type 098) or Agency Lakes (type 191) as I am being “permitted” to use this resource. I just don’t like being charged for the hunting portion if I don’t hunt. I fish outside my county of residence, so I would be in violation of the law if I purchased a type 020 (county of residence).

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-hunting. I just don’t hunt. I would rather fish. Yes, I occasionally keep fish to eat. I think that if you want to hunt, you should be able to; I just don’t participate in that sport. I rely on my friends who do hunt to provide me with fly tying materials such as feathers and fur and deer hair. I just have a problem being charged for something that I don’t use.

I know quite a few of the other anglers on this forum carry multiple state licenses for the waters that they fish in the area. I carry my TN license, and have non-resident licenses for at least 4 other states. I could put the $14.00 I would save on the TN license to the cost of a non-resident license in another state.

I know that the State of Tennessee receives money for wildlife and stream restoration and improvement based on the number of hunters and anglers in the state, but isn’t that “fuzzy math” when they count people who don’t participate in one sport or the other? I know most people hunt AND fish so it is probably more cost effective for them. I know all the money goes towards helping the great outdoors whether it is on land or water, so I just need to shut up and accept the situation.

My other issue is that the expiration date, in my opinion, needs to be date of purchase rather than the last day of February. Suppose you move to Tennessee in August, then you will be eligible to purchase a resident license at the end of December. You will pay full price for the license, which will only be good until February, when you get to purchase another license at full price. If the State of Tennessee went with a policy of date of purchase expiration, I think this would be better as more people would purchase licenses. But this is entirely speculation.

I miss the “old” trout stamp. I remember when artist used to compete to have their artwork used as that year’s stamp, similar to the Federal Migratory Bird Stamp. I liked having an actual stamp on your license.

I am not knocking TWRA, as the wildlife officers do an outstanding job. All of the TWRA representatives whether, they are wildlife officers or biologist I have met have been extremely nice, very knowledgeable and exceptionallyprofessional. I am just questioning some of the TWRA policies for licensing made by the commission.

Every year I write a letter to the TWRA commissioner and my representative asking these same questions and have yet to get a response except for the cordial “...thank you for writing…” Every year I still go by my license. I don't have a problem with the purchasing the fishing license, it is just the basic principal of the matter.

Has anyone else come to this conclusion, or thought about this, or am I just jousting at windmills? emoConfused

Sorry about the long diatribe. I just needed to vent. emoBang I am going to go get my new license this weekend.

-Rob

 

[digitalcb]

A search through the forums will reveal that these are recurring topics here with many agreeing with you.

I think statistically a much greater portion of license buyers only fish so a separation of licenses would really hurt the revenue and possibly force an increase in fees for fishing licenses.

I don't hunt either and I really don't want to support hunting but I don't want to hurt it either.

What I really don't want is this idea of charging to watch wildlife. There is a Catch-22 there. Some want wildlife watchers to contribute to wildlife management which means we would be supporting the killing of the objects of our affection as a price for caring about them.

 

[Luketrician]

Well, I guess you could look at it this way. Sure, you are only using half of what you are paying for, but that money still goes into TWRA. I would think that would be a good thing. They are the 'care takers of the Tennessee Valley" aren't they?


Just my .02 cents worth anyhowemoSmile

 

[rsimms]

You are correct in your assessment of "fuzzy math." However it is allowable fuzzy math according to the Feds and it does result in more federal dollars for Tennessee wildlife and fisheries management.

And as a former game warden, I guarantee that if licenses were good for a year from date-of-purchase, this forum would be absolutely PACKED with people complaining because they "forgot their license expired" and got a ticket. Yep, it might cost some extra for first-time Tennesseans or non-residents, but I assure you that it is a MUCH better system for the majority who are here for the ride.

You could always do what I did... break down and buy a Lifetime License and you'll never have to worry about any of that stuff, or license increases, again.emoBigsmile

 

[digitalcb]

"You could always do what I did... break down and buy a Lifetime License"

That's going to be my 65th birthday present to myself....in just a little more than 4 years from now

I bet they would sell a lot more if they pro-rated them more. They cost the same at age 51 as they do at 64 ($945). At age 65 they drop to $270. emoThumbsup

 

[Fly Rod Rob]

Digitalcb, Luketrician and Richard:

Thank you for the very good points of view. I like the suggestion of a sportsman's license, which I honestly never considered. I am not sure if the sportsman's license is the right choice right now, but if gives me something to think about.

Thanks for the input and to the forum for letting me vent some frustrations with licenseure.

-Rob

 

[rsimms]

Fly Rod Rob - 2/21/2008 5:06 PM

Digitalcb, Luketrician and Richard:

Thank you for the very good points of view. I like the suggestion of a sportsman's license, which I honestly never considered. I am not sure if the sportsman's license is the right choice right now, but if gives me something to think about.

Thanks for the input and to the forum for letting me vent some frustrations with licenseure.

-Rob

FYI... I bought my Lifetime when they were $1,200 (for my age bracket). I always buy the Annual Sportsman License anyway... I calculated that with the known, and anticipated, license price increases, it would pay for itself in about 8 or 9 years. At least that's what I told my wife who said, "If you die before then do I get the money back?" emoLaugh

 

[Nickajack Angler]

I hunt and fish, but hunt way less that I fish. And since there is very little upland bird hunting, I'm really going to fish more than I will hunt for sure. I can see where you are coming from, but I would feel much better that I am participating in helping nurture the wildlife that we have by a $14/yr, than letting it to others that are paying for it, more if they were left with the burden of the budget dollars utilized to manage the hunting in TN, carry the burden. I also love the outdoors as you do, and maybe try to focus on the positive and consider the $14 you spend each year toward the next generation of fishermen that may hunt as well!!!! I appreciate your rant and definitely can empathize with your point of view.

 

[tennfisher]

I went through a 20 year dry spell in which I neither hunted or fished, but bought the license anyhow. That way I accomplished the following:
1. If I decided to go or was asked by someone to go at the last minute, licensing wasn't an issue.
2. I recognized that the license fees are the major source of revenue used to purchase habitat and provide protection for both game and non-game species, and that as Richard Simms pointed out state license revenues translate into Federal funds.
3.Since even though I gave up the hunting years ago, I still get a kick out of knowing that in my small way I'm doing my part to help to provide for the continuation of the resources and their protection.

Just my 2 cents.

Tennfisher
(did I mention I have lots of old hunting yarns?emoGeezer )

 

[Troutbum]

Geeez, Robert. I think you need to go fishing soon.

Seriously, you make some good points. I moved to GA a couple of years ago and so now have to pay the nonresident fee for my TN license. Kind of painful.

Still, I think it's a bargain given the great fishing we have in Tennessee. Plus I can tell my wife it's necessary for me to fish more so that I can truly get my money's worth. You can probably guess how far I get with that argument. Anyway, my .02.

By the way, I heard you're going to be doing a program at the SE FFF conclave at Callaway this year. Will you and your wife be at the fly tying tables again as well? Look forward to seeing you guys down there again.

Ty

 

[Fly Rod Rob]

Hey Troutbum:

I will be at SE FFF, doing a presentation on "Sunfish" and would like to attend a few of the other presentations by other speakers. It looks to be a very good conclave with speakers from all over the southeast.

The wife and I are scheduled to tie both days. I will probably tie flies for bream to keep with the theme of my presentation.

You are right, I need to get out and fish soon. emoFish

-Rob

 

[MadBomber]

2008 licenses went on sale Feb 18th.  Mine cost me $11 and is good for the rest of my life. 

 

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[Fat Albert]

MadBomber - 2/22/2008 8:01 AM

2008 licenses went on sale Feb 18th.  Mine cost me $11 and is good for the rest of my life. 

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<font color="#ff0033">THAT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE AN OLE FART NOW........

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[john faulkner]

Talking about being an old FART, I have my Lifetime License for 12 years now! But up to that time I bought an annual License every year TN ,Ala,and Fla. Sometimes the wife did't like it but I had to scratch that Itch. To let people know how you feel is not a bad thing. Your RANT was good and Timely.
JohnemoEnforce

 

[digitalcb]

" From : 3391 To : digitalcb Date : 3/6/2008 9:22 PM
Subject : wildlife management

Read your post with great interest. If you happen to watch wildlife on a wildlife management area I totally disagree with you because sportsmans (sic) dollars bought and paid for the land and the management. If your (sic) talking about private land I totally agree with you."


Great Question!!

What ARE we talking about?? Nobody says; just vague references to "stepping up".

What do they want?

1. Access fees to Prentice Cooper? (bought and paid for by private bequest!)

2. Hawkwatch fees for standing on Racoon Mountain? (bought and paid for by TVA ratepayers)

3. Fees for Bear and Boar sightings in the Cherokee National Forest (est 1936 for "outdoor recreation, wildlife and fish habitat, wilderness, water quality, minerals and wood products) (Bought and paid for by federal tax dollars.)

4. Extra (bogus) fees for holders of combo Hunting/Fishing licenses who want to take their kids for ride?

What? What? What?

THIS is a GREAT opportunity for someone to "Step Up" and actually tell the truth about what they want!

 

[mallardecho]

I want fries with my burger, no ketchup on the burger....

 

[bullet]

it all boils down to MONEY! alabama now has a 12 month period which now will cause me to buy 2 this year due to the deadline date, before it was 1 yr from the purchase date! so now they will get $46 from me twice this year along with everyone else in my club so it really adds up even though you buy one every year the first year everyone will have to buy 2 to be able to fish early spring and late fall. what i really hate is the hunters seem to get the most benefit from all our money! don't get me wrong i used to hunt a lot, but now i only fish, but i see twra spending more on game than i see spent on fish. another thing i would like to see is twra stopping and getting these guys who keep and fillet bass that are any size, the only people i ever see them stop and check is the tx fishermen, which if i was guessing, spend more on liscenses and supplies than most others combined, but they always have to stop us first. i'm not saying everyone don't deserve to be equal but that's what i mean we're not treated equal sometimes. just my rant, and i agree with you on your post! maybe one day they will listen to us fishermen-- not!!!

 

[finbully]

How much is a national, lifetime fishing license? I want one of those!!!