Don't get greedy, ODFW

Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife is past due for a boost in the fees it charges hunters and anglers.

But we urge department officials to ask for only as much money as they need to preserve current programs when the new fees take effect in 2009. ODFW also should consider ways to persuade more Oregonians to become hunters and anglers.

If ODFW gets greedy, the agency might well drive away the recreationists who pay the fees that make up about one third of ODFW's budget, which totals $262 million for the current two-year cycle.

The state's last across-the-board fee increase was in January 2004. Four years is a long time to forego even a modest fee hike to cover employees' pay raises and general inflation.

But the proposal that agency officials will unveil during a series of a dozen public meetings across the state this month includes fees that significantly exceed the modest level.

ODFW's proposal includes three ranges of increases: low, medium and high. Officials say the low level — the smallest jump in fees — should allow the agency to maintain the status quo.

Given the state of the economy, status quo is good enough.

With gas perhaps reaching $4 a gallon (diesel's already surpassed that threshold), an extra 20 or 30 bucks in license and tag fees could convince some anglers and hunters to stay home.

A decline in the number of either would hurt not only ODFW, but also places such as Baker County, where hunters and anglers' dollars help many businesses survive.

On the other hand, ODFW could encourage people to take up hunting and fishing by promoting, perhaps with a price cut, the Sport Pac, which includes a combination hunting/fishing license as well as tags for several hunting seasons. Better still, ODFW could create a youth sport pac that's even less expensive. If younger generations shun fishing and hunting, ODFW's budget will shrink no matter how much it charges.

Also, some states offer a lifetime license that's available — for a considerable price — to hunters and anglers of any age. In Oregon, you can get a free "pioneer" license, but only if you're at least 65 and have lived in Oregon for at least 50 years.

The bottom line is that ODFW might not need to increase fees as often for all hunters and anglers if the agency can entice more people to take up the sports.

In other words, ODFW could get more by charging less.