Colorado Fees for Hunting, Fishing & State parks to rise.

[Colorado Cowboy]

House Bill 1321 was passed out of committee to the full House which would raise fees for hunting, fishing and state parks entrance. The license for fishing could be raised from $25 to $37.50, small game hunting to $30, deer to $45 & elk to $67.50. The bill would also eliminate free senior fishing licenses. These fees are for residents only, non residents stay the same. The fees are also caps, which means the licenses would probably gradually raised to this rate over time. The press release said the last raise for residents was in 2005.

I really don't have a problem with raising the fees because the Parks & Wildlife is an enterprise as defined by the Legislature and is self funded. Also fines for various fishing & hunting violations would also be increased.

 

[JimP]

The thing that gets me is why do away with the free senior fishing license? Do they think that us old goats are going to deplete all the fish in the waters?

I also still gripe about the park fees for seniors, they should offer a free park pass or one at a greatly reduced price instead of just $10 off of the regular yearly one. Every time that I ask about this they do a song and dance about how the seniors would abuse the privilege by camping and using all of the park facilities, which doesn't hold water. All this along with not being able to transfer a park pass from one vehicle to another really gripes me and I have never heard of one valid reason of why they do this to seniors.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The thing that gets me is why do away with the free senior fishing license? Do they think that us old goats are going to deplete all the fish in the waters?

I also still gripe about the park fees for seniors, they should offer a free park pass or one at a greatly reduced price instead of just $10 off of the regular yearly one. Every time that I ask about this they do a song and dance about how the seniors would abuse the privilege by camping and using all of the park facilities, which doesn't hold water. All this along with not being able to transfer a park pass from one vehicle to another really gripes me and I have never heard of one valid reason of why they do this to seniors.

A few years back, they still offered a lifetime Aspen Leaf Pass for seniors. It cost me around $200 (if I remember right) and I get free entrance to any state park, anytime for my lifetime. Has been a great bargain for me. They quit selling them a few years back.

Yes kinda ticks me off about losing the free senior fishing license!!!

 

[JimP]

I am working on a email for my state senator and piece of junk state congress woman on how I feel about this.

I agree that fees should go up and that the price of everything is also going up but to stick it a little bit more to seniors is a piece of bull.

I'm surprised that they didn't require those of us over 65 to start purchasing habitat stamps again.

 

[Winchester]

I have a Lifetime Small Game license for being a Disabled Vet. I wonder if these changes will affect that?

 

[gypsumreaper]

You gentleman are some of the first guys, that are like me and have supported this raise in licenses. The senior part bugs me and should be different for sure. But so many residents are whinin about the raised fees. They say raise non resident fees not ours, residents are the life blood of the hunting and fishing in Colorado. When in all truth the non residents are what bring in the billions of dollars. We can't keep raising non resident fees, cause the resident fees aren't going to feed the CPW.

 

[Winchester]

I agree. Paying a few more dollars for a resident deer or elk license is fine by me. Parks & wildlife can sure use the additional funds, and these licenses will still be a bargain when you consider how much fun you can have for just a few bucks (no pun intended).

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have a Lifetime Small Game license for being a Disabled Vet. I wonder if these changes will affect that?

I too am a disabled vet, but only 50% (not enough to qualify for the lifetime free permit). I hope it does not effect you.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Curious why you guy's think seniors should get for free what everyone else has to pay for?

 

[Winchester]

I too am a disabled vet, but only 50% (not enough to qualify for the lifetime free permit). I hope it does not effect you.

Thanks CC.

 

[JimP]

Curious why you guy's think seniors should get for free what everyone else has to pay for?

Most seniors are on a fixed income along with paying into the "system" for years, don't you think that they deserve a break? Most counties give them a break for property taxes, what if they decided to charge seniors full price? Is having a senior citizen purchase a license going to make much of a difference in the financial situation that the State Parks ad Wildlife is in? That along with how many seniors actually go out and fish after they are 65, 70, or 80? Most that I know sit at home and watch TV.

As for hunting I can understand the price increases, but even there I could see giving those over 65 a break. How many hunters that are over 65 actually go out and shoot a elk or deer? Not to mention going out after rabbits or other upland game.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Most seniors are on a fixed income along with paying into the "system" for years, don't you think that they deserve a break? Most counties give them a break for property taxes, what if they decided to charge seniors full price? Is having a senior citizen purchase a license going to make much of a difference in the financial situation that the State Parks ad Wildlife is in? That along with how many seniors actually go out and fish after they are 65, 70, or 80? Most that I know sit at home and watch TV.

As for hunting I can understand the price increases, but even there I could see giving those over 65 a break. How many hunters that are over 65 actually go out and shoot a elk or deer? Not to mention going out after rabbits or other upland game.

Thanks for the reply. I don't agree with everything you said but definitely see where you're coming from. Here's the other side I guess... most seniors have had a lifetime of earning, own there own home, vehicles, and other toys. And aren't paying for kids anymore. Maybe the free license should go to guys in there 20's & 30's who are trying to make a living while supporting a young family and haven't been working long enough to really have made any advancements towards financial secureness??? Idk? Lots of generalities & presumptions in that analogy. Not everyone fits in those two scenarios. Just my way of thinking about it in my little world. I don't really have a strong opinion on it so I'm good either way.

I'm ok with the increases too but I know some (most?) guys will throw a fit if elk licenses get up around $70. These are the same guys who have a $500+ truck payment & throw away $50 at the bar every weekend! Lol! Most of what I consider weekend warrior type hunter's won't like any increase. They think it should be free. On one hand I think good riddance to those types. The woods will be a little quieter without them. On the other hand we need all the support we can get for hunting without alienating anyone. No easy answer I guess...

 

[gypsumreaper]

Cohighcountry, I see where you are coming from, and I see where Jim is coming from. Now here's a whole nother look, just another standpoint from someone who's in his late 20's.
I believe licenses should be discounted for both youth and seniors. It's the youth that we need to keep going and imo I hope I can still hunt with my dad when he becomes a senior. Will he be able to hunt as hard as me nope but for most seniors that do hunt it's about the chase and just being outdoors not the harvest.
Most guys in their 20's and 30's are all about the harvest and the size, it's an ego trip to get the biggest animal (most times). Most seniors I know will walk 300 yards from the truck and sit in a spot all week til something walks by.
Now guys in their 20's and 30's that are supporting a family and buying vehicles and all that is their own choice, why do they need a handout for a free license because they're the head of the workforce. I for one paid for my own licenses since I was 14, and have every single year. I am now 27 and I own my own outfitting business I worked my butt off for 13 years to get to where I am now, and there were years I couldn't hunt because I didn't have the money, so I went and got a second job and paid for my license. If anyone gets free licenses should be youth and seniors, the ones that really can't go out and pay for their own license mostly. Youths being to young to work for the most part and seniors being on a fixed income is about like and allowance for a youth. Also some seniors have bought licenses for 50+ years, ask them how many licenses they donated in that time for being unsuccessful and add that up, I alone have spent probably $1500+ on tags I either didn't get to use or was unsuccessful, that's only 15 years of hunting, and usually only bull and cow tags. Plus I'm a resident could you imagine a senior non resident with 50 years of non resident tags they could have bought a 4wheeler.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I know some seniors who don't have a lot of $$$$, don't have a boat and don't travel over a few miles to fish. Some fish in the city park that's stocked. They bring a folding chair and sit at the edge of a lake and fish, enjoy the scenery, sun and being out of doors. They should definitely get a free fishing license. I would gladly pay for my license, but when I renew it every year, I have no option, it automatically gives me mine for $1.00 (.25 for search & rescue; .75 for Wildlife Ed Fund Surcharge...whatever the hell that is!) and $5.00 for a 2nd rod stamp if I want it. Kids don't need one. I don't know the numbers, but I am sure in relation to the whole P & W budget, free fishing licenses don't amount to much.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[Winchester]

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said so far. Although I do get a free small game license for being a disabled vet ... I'm not quite old enough to be a senior yet. I don't mind paying a little more for deer and elk licenses and also, I do think the seniors deserve a break ... as you guys have said. When my Dad was still alive he'd try and get out every year and do some hunting but he was on a fixed income and that little break really helped him. After paying full price for licenses his whole life, that seemed fine to me.

 

[CoHiCntry]

When it comes to vets, especially disabled vets I'm all in! I think they deserve all the benefits they can get and more for the service they've given to all of us in this country.

As mentioned, there are seniors that are well off and others who are not. Just like all age groups of people. That's why it's hard for me to wrap my mind around giving one group something for free based solely on age. I'm all for free or discounted fees for those in need though.

Youth definitely get my vote for cheaper or even free licenses. Like gypsumreaper pointed out, most of them don't have jobs yet and their parents may not be willing to pay the fees if they aren't that interested in hunting in the first place. I've experienced this first hand with a kid I've taken hunting the last couple years. If youth tags weren't so cheap I don't think his dad would pay for them. I'll gladly pay a little more to help out a youth, a senior on a fixed income who's in need, or really anyone with less resources if that's preventing them from going hunting.

 

[JimP]

One thing with kids is that if they really want to go hunting or fishing they will find a job to earn the money to purchase the license, ammo, firearm/fishing gear, and clothing that goes along with it. I know that I had to earn the money 50 years ago when I wanted to go hunting or fishing. Then they only need to find someone to take with them.

One problem that I have seen with modern day kids is that they would rather play on their smart phones than to go out into the hills and get cold. I have seen this in primary hunting families, the kids just don't want to go.

 

[hoshour]

If you're 62, you can get a Senior Pass to get into all National Parks for free for your remaining lifetime. The cost is $10. Seriously. You also get a 50% discount on many amenity fees like camping, fishing and guided tours.

See https://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html for info and buy them at https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html

To see about other passes like Volunteer Passes and Access Passes for the disabled, see the same site.

 

[JimP]

If you're 62, you can get a Senior Pass to get into all National Parks for free for your remaining lifetime. The cost is $10. Seriously. You also get a 50% discount on many amenity fees like camping, fishing and guided tours.

See https://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html for info and buy them at https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html

To see about other passes like Volunteer Passes and Access Passes for the disabled, see the same site.

If you qualify for a senior National Parks Pass you had better get it now, they are talking about raising the fee up to $80 sometime this year. And if you are married I would get one for the wife also. That way you can get two vehicles into the parks and monuments.

http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tips/articles/info-2016/national-parks-lifetime-pass-cost-increase.html

 

[hoshour]

I had also heard that. Thanks for mentioning it.