The Georgia Department of Natural Resources wants to know what people think about its proposed cost increases for hunting and fishing licenses.

A series of public forums includes one Wednesday at Richmond Hill City Center in J.F. Gregory Park. The meeting will be open from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

People can drop by anytime during either two-hour window to make comments. DNR representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

The Georgia DNR has proposed raising the cost of a hunting license from $10 to $15, a fishing license from $9 to $15 and a combined hunting/fishing license from $17 to $25.

“We do want to see what the public thinks about it before it’s finalized,” said Doug Haymans of the DNR’s Coastal Resources Division. “We will take public comment and see where it goes from there.”

The fees for Georgia hunting and fishing licenses have not increased in 23 years. The Georgia DNR puts the funds toward efforts such as managing public hunting and fishing locations, conducting research, planting food plots and raising and stocking fish.

Raising the fees would help meet an increasing demand for services, according to the DNR. While license revenues have remained stagnant, the DNR reports rising numbers of requests from the public for hunting and fishing opportunities and recreational experiences.
Georgia’s two most recent fee increases, in 1992 and 1987, were used to acquire land for sporting purposes. The last hunting and fishing license fee hike in support of DNR operations was in 1981.

Public comment is being taken through July 6. Anyone unable to attend the public forum can comment online at www.georgiawild
life.com/aimforsuccess. Or written comments may be sent to: License Restructure, Wildlife Resources Division, 2070 U.S. Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.