Now is best time to buy Lifetime License
by Richard Simms
posted March 9, 2004
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has signed the law transferring hunting & fishing license fee setting authority from the Legislature to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
According to the Governor's Press Secretary Lydia Lenker, the Governor signed the bill on Tuesday.
Some argued that is like giving the fox the keys to the henhouse.
Others argue it will save the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and our wildlife resources, from virtual ruin.
The measure will allow the appointed, 13-member Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission to set hunting and fishing license fees, rather than going before the entire legislature.
Bill Text
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission now has the authority to
promulgate rules and regulations to adjust fees for licenses and permits and to establish new licenses and permits as deemed appropriate along with necessary fees. Adjusting or establishing fees shall be in such amounts as may be necessary to administer the provisions of the wildlife laws; provided, that the percentage increase in total revenue from a license package containing one (1) or more license and/or permit, shall not exceed the percent of increase in the average consumer price index (all items-city average) as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, on the first day of March, 1990; provided, however that individual fee adjustment amounts may be rounded up to the next dollar amount. All such fees, and any adjustments thereto, shall be deposited in the wildlife resources fund and shall be expended solely for the administration and operation of the agency’s programs and responsibilities authorized pursuant to this chapter.
Further, the commission shall report to the senate environment, conservation and tourism committee and to the house conservation and environment committee actions taken on permits, licenses, and fees to be assessed following the promulgation of the proposed rules and regulations.
Opponents, such as Rep. John Tidwell (D - New Johnsonville) argued that hunters and fishermen would be subject to license fees set by representatives they can't vote for. Tidwell's argument didn't carry enough weight as the bill passed the House by a vote of 71-to-22.
Wildlife Commissioner Gary Kimsey from Sweetwater said, "I feel good about it. I feel a heightened sense of responsibility."
The law restricts license increases to no more than the increase in the Consumer Price Index. It's been nearly ten years since the last increase in fees. Tennessee hunters and fishermen can look forward to a 30 percent increase in hunting and fishing license fees, effective March 1, 2005.
Kimsey says, "(TWRA) wouldn't have been able to continue without it. We were living on borrowed time."
No doubt there will be substantial moaning and groaning by sportsmen when the increase hits them in the wallet. I was doing my own moaning and groaning to Dale Day, a TWRA Law Enforcement Supervisor recently when he told me, "you know there's one good way that you can get around the inflation and the politics?"
"How's that," I asked.
"Just buy a Lifetime License," he said. "Then it doesn't matter how much licenses go up, or who votes for them. You'll already have yours."
"That's a really good point," said Kimsey. "Anybody that's on the bubble, now is the time to do it."
Lifetime Licenses are just that - buy one and you'll never again have to buy a state license to hunt or fish in Tennessee. They are on a graduated fee scale. You can buy a Lifetime License for a baby for $200, 3 to 6 years of age - $400, 7 to 12 - $600, 13 to 50 - $1,200, 51 to 65 - $700.
TWRA Asst. Director Allen Gebhardt says Lifetime Licenses can be expected to increase the same percentage as other licenses, "except another bill currently in the Legislature would lock in the Lifetime License for the youngest buyers at $200."
Gebhardt says TWRA has sold 21,556 Lifetime Licenses since the program went into effect. All the money collected, $8.7 million so far, is held in a special account and TWRA can only use the interest. Last year that added $110,000 to the wildlife coffers.
Jim Boles, an educator for Hamilton County schools is about to buy a Lifetime License for his four-year-old son, Brett.
"I wish I'd done it when he was born… whether he uses it or not, it's for a good cause," said Boles.
He figures his son has 60 years of hunting and fishing ahead of him. $400 divided by 60 mean's Brett's license will cost $6.66 a year.
"That' a pretty good bargain," exclaimed Boles.
Boles buys an all-inclusive, $100 Sportsman License every year. He hadn't really considering buying a Lifetime License of his own however until he reviewed the pending increases in fees.
He says it's 33 years until he's 65 when a Senior License would kick in. Take next year's anticipated Sportsman's License price of $130, multiply it by 33 years, and it equals $4290. A $1,200 Lifetime License would save a minimum of $3,000, probably much more since the Sportsman's License won't stay at $130 for long.
"That does make me stop and think," said Boles.
James Morrison, a CPA for Decosimo, obviously knows a lot about finances. Morrison says that was a factor when he bought Lifetime Licenses for he and his son. He says he also thought a lot about the convenience.
"You don't ever have to worry about rushing down to Wal-Mart at midnight," said Morrison.
Mark Wilson from Cleveland hasn't bought one of his own. Like many he says it's hard to pay that much money all at once for a hunting and fishing license, "or convince your wife that it's the thing to do."
He and his family did however, chip in to buy Lifetime Licenses for a baby niece and nephew.
"We just felt like it was a gift that really would last a lifetime," said Wilson.
Larry Marcum, the Chief of Wildlife Management for TWRA said, "many of the personal messages that go on the certificates reflect that the decision to buy a lifetime license is rarely based on financial issues when it comes to the youth."
For convenience, for a gift, for an investment, or because you just hit the lottery, now is the best time you'll ever have to buy Lifetime License in Tennessee.
I did.
Lifetime License Application
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |