Poaching penalties among wildlife changes

Monday, June 2, 2003 | 10:03 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Fishing and hunting fees in the state will go up, along with penalties for poaching, under action taken by the Legislature on Sunday.

Starting next March, the state Wildlife Commission will be allowed to boost resident fishing licenses from $20 to $25; hunting permits from $23 to $29; and a combination license from $38 to $50, under Senate Bill 420, on the way to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his signature.

Nonresident fishing permits will go from $50 to $65; hunting permits from $110 to $138; and a combination license will cost $195. There has not previously been a combination license for non-residents.

In addition, there will be a $3 fee charged for habitat conservation; the trout stamp will rise from $5 to $10; and motorboat ownership certificates will go up by $10 to $25 depending on the length of the boat.

A resident deer tag rises from $15 to $30 and a non-resident tag jumps from $60 to $240. Resident tags for antelope increase from $50 to $60 and elk and bighorn sheep tags from $100 to $120.

The money is needed to continue the operation of the Wildlife Department without support from the state's general fund, lawmakers said.

The bill also increases the penalty for killing deer, bighorn sheep, elk, antelope and other wildlife without a license from a gross misdemeanor to a felony.

Outdoors advocates had urged that the penalty be increased because some poachers kill wildlife and then leave the state.