After several years as a self-sustaining agency the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is having financial issues. The estimated budget of about 19.8 million dollars, annually, is predicted to be insufficient.
Cole Garett, Executive Counsel for the LDWF, says they are attempting to discard their 117 different licenses by proposing a bill in the regular legislative session.
There would be an increase in the basic fishing and hunting license for Louisiana residents to $13.50 and $20.00 respectively. However, there is a reduction in the price of the Sportsman Paradise license from $100.00 to $90.00.
Garett states that the prices did not go beyond a 30% increase as they are trying to stay below the inflation line to insure that residents do not bear the full burden of the fee increase.