A new proposal from the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission would see license fees raise between 12% and 28% in 2025, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new proposal from the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission would see license fees raise between 12% and 28% in 2025, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
The TWRA said the proposed fee increases were discussed at the September commission meeting, along with a proposal to simplify the fee structure.
During the commission meeting, the following fee increases were proposed:
Boating registration fee: 22% increase
Majority of hunting, fishing licenses: 28% increase
Sportsmen and Lifetime license fees: 12% increase
State law permits the commission to increase license fees in line with the consumer price index inflation, which has risen 31.6% since the last fee increase, according to the TWRA.
“The Commission is giving this challenge our full force. Hunters and anglers who fund conservation with their purchases are our most important constituents,” said Commission Chairman Jimmy Granbery. “However, we must take strong action to continue protecting and preserving wildlife and providing the services sportsmen want from the agency.
Additionally, the commission proposed a simplification of license structure regulations. The proposal would replace weapon-type supplemental licenses (such as those for gun, archery, or muzzleloader) with species-type supplemental licenses (such as deer, elk, bear, turkey, and waterfowl).
The trout supplemental license would also be rolled into the base hunting and fishing combination license, so no additional license would be needed. Multiple Wildlife Management Area permits would be combined into one single permit, per TWRA.
Public comment will be gathered on the proposed license fee changes. The public comment period will run from October through November at the public notice section of the TWRA website. The commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes at its December meeting. If passed, the fee changes would not take effect until July 1, 2025.