Warning: Non-Resident License Rant in Progress

[rsimms]

<img src=http://www.tndeer.com/forums/download/file.php?id=19524>

I have been on a rant with Tennessee wildlife officials after they eliminated 1-day fishing permits for non-residents, selling only 3-day permits. I made a brief little speech before the TFWC (governing body which sets license fees) last week in Crossville, TN. Then followed up with an e-mail after getting some facts and figures from TWRA. The elimination of the 1-day NR fishing permit has, of course, resulted in more (much needed) money for TWRA. However the number of non-resident fishing licenses sold last year dropped by about 15,000 (12 percent).

I argued that we are discouraging more people from fishing rather than encouraging. The only Commissioner to respond directly said, "Tennessee has some of the best fishing in the US. I see where you are coming from, but the cost of a temp license is well worth it. If they can afford your [guide] fee, they can afford our license!"

I replied, "The 3-day permit is equivalent to me telling clients, 'I know you only want to fish a Half Day, but you have to pay me for a Full Day anyway."

In the end however, my feeble voice-in-the-wilderness is falling on deaf ears. Non-residents should not expect any changes in available licenses (or costs) anytime in the near future.

Your Comments, pro or con, are welcome.

 

[FlippinManiac]

Very interesting. Of the 12% year-over-year NR permit decrease, how much was due to 3-day versus all year? I am curious to know if the elimination of 1-day NR permits increasd the number of 3-day permits sold (guessing that was the motive to eliminate the 1-day)?

 

[rsimms]

FlippinManiac - 8/24/2016 9:35 AM

Very interesting. Of the 12% year-over-year NR permit decrease, how much was due to 3-day versus all year? I am curious to know if the elimination of 1-day NR permits increasd the number of 3-day permits sold (guessing that was the motive to eliminate the 1-day)?

I didn't receive data on Annual non-resident fishing licenses. My guess would be that change was negligible... that non-residents inclined to buy an annual license wouldn't change that much. As for permits, in 2015 the combined total sales of 1-day & 3-day sales (not including trout) was 89,231. In 2016, when 1-day permits went away, there were 74,763 3-day permits sold.

 

[DaytonBoatDock]

Or how many people said if we can't buy a one day we just won't buy one at all.

 

[dhpro]

sir not to disagree or make a argument but have you considerd the fee's other states charge us?I buy tags in 4 states KY,IL(25 years),TN and AL.All the D N R 's are ripping us new ones .twra includeed .Where im heading is if you want to play in that state you got to pay there outrageous fee 's.What guides need to help is think its called a captains lic like when i go fishing in al(deep sea) its coverd by the captain of the boat ???just my thoughts don't hate me!

 

[jonboatin]

Alabama doesn't have a one, two, or 3 day non resident, its 7 days....for $30-$40 dollars ( don't have exact cost on hand).

 

[richg99]

Well, I am on two sides of this. I spend half year here and half year in TX. My TN license (including trout) is $80.00 a year for my six month's use. I, of course, would like to pay less...but...I pay it because I must. That license has NOTHING to do with your discussion topic.

I agree that stopping the availability of a one day license for non-residents discourages people from going on a charter. It also ENCOURAGES a lot of people to just throw a line in the water for their over-night stay in the state and not buy any license. Not good for anybody in TN.

I suspect that the "powers to be" said that it costs $$XXX to process a license and one day fees were not covering the basic cost.
Allowing licensed captains to sell one day licenses makes a whole lot of sense. Probably, the State will not allow it, because it makes sense , but they lose CONTROL. Just my opinion. richg99

 

[fishinvol]

DaytonBoatDock - 8/24/2016 10:40 AMOr how many people said if we can't buy a one day we just won't buy one at all.

I know on more than one occasion where that has been the case with my clients. I told them, it's totally up to them but the fine would be much more than the license.

 

[jdw2920]

the whole system is a bunch of crap. the government should step in and say if you live in a bordering county then you can get a special license that grants you resident license. another option would be two not charge the full rate make it a prorated rate. when you live close to each state its a shame to pay what you do. i live 10 mins from the tn line i hunt and fish primarily in tn but i have to pay near 300 to fish and hunt small game its a ripoff. if they would create a buffer zone law license sales would rocket for each state involved

 

[swamp]

My friends from texas come to visit every year and I take them to the hiwasee river for a sightseeing tour and a picnic by the river . They love it and we use to fish for a couple of hours and if we caught any trout,they were always released. When the lic fee went to forty bucks each for my friend,his wife and his 16 year old grandson,
for the privilege of fishing two hours,he would no longer pay it. No more tenn lic for this texan.
I aways bought the tenn all species lic but when the price increased to 100.00 bucks ,they lost me.
I still buy the fifty dollar non res lic but i do all of my trout fishing in north carolina.
I had the same thing happen at fall creek falls. My friends from another state refused to pay the 3 day
Lic fee,just to fish for an hour or two.
I will hush now but not because i'm out of ammo.
Also, I think that smart ass remark about you guide fees shows how arrogant those people ,that are
making a living off your tax money are.
(Yes i consider license fees tax money.)

 

[Creekrunner6]

That seems very drastic and I guarantee the state will lose money because as many people wont buy licenses.

 

[saltyduck]

I think there needs to be a guide license, the state sells for guides that have their captain's license. One guy mentioned its covered when he goes on a charter in Alabama. That's because the captain has a guide license for the state, and that would resolve your issue Richard.

 

[churly]

I was under the impression that there is a guide license in TN.

 

[fishinvol]

There is a guide license , but it only covers the guide. Doesn't cover clients.

 

[rsimms]

churly - 8/25/2016 6:34 PM

I was under the impression that there is a guide license in TN.

Churly... as fishinvol said, there is a required Guide License. But it's not a "fishing license," it's simply a license (actually a tax) allowing us to do business as a guide. We are still required to have a fishing license, as are clients.

As others have mentioned, I would LOVE it if, as some states, there were a guide license type which covers the fishing license for clients.

 

[tritonfisher]

I don't really see an issue with the elimination of the one day pass. Compared to Alabama Tennessee is cheap. If people are paying for a guided trip most of those individuals are not going to have an issue spending the extra money for a 3 day pass.

 

[Davo]

I agree, I think that the captain's license should actually cover a 1 day permit for non resident's. If they decide to stay multiple days, they can get the 3 day.

 

[Footman1824]

I had to buy a 7 day non resident license in Alabama to fish a single day club tournament. It cost me almost $30. But hey, if you're going to play, you're going to have to pay.

 

[BassERT]

Party boats and charters in FL have that kind of inclusive license for all the folks fishing on it .
Whether it is 5 or 50 you do not need to buy a license individually since on the boat fishing, you are covered.


emoCool

 

[richg99]

It seems that the States that have a lot of tourist fishermen, (mostly saltwater) are better at making fishing a fun and productive PART of the over-all visiting experience.

Florida and Louisiana know how much of their money comes from tourists, so they seem to focus on letting people fish and spend their money on restaurants; lodging and guides...and not on just sending money directly to the State ...just because they want to fish for one day.

That is the problem (also in Texas) when ONE entity decides that THEY need the cash, without looking at the over-all tourist picture.
Just MHO....richg99