Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : April 7, 2006

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Fees Increase

  Effective April 11, 2006 , the fees for lifetime West Virginia hunting, trapping and fishing licenses will increase, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. As passed by the state legislature, the fees were established at 23 times the fee for the equivalent annual license or stamp.

  The new lifetime combination hunting, trapping and fishing license (ABL) will increase from $570 to $760. The new lifetime hunting and trapping license ( AL ) will increase from $425 to $760. The new lifetime fishing license (BL) will increase from $325 to $530. The new lifetime trout fishing license (OL) will increase from $150 to $230.

  “Increases in the base resident annual licenses were approved last year for the first time since 1989, so the lifetime license fees were raised accordingly,” said Jezioro. “The costs of everything from fish food to gasoline to equipment have gone up during that time. Both the lifetime and annual license fee increases were made to keep up with increased costs of the high quality wildlife management and law enforcement that West Virginia outdoor sportsmen demand. ”

  Funds from the lifetime licenses, which were created in 1987, are placed into the Wildlife Endowment Fund. By law, only the interest earned annually from the Fund's principal can be spent.

  Infant lifetime licenses, which are set at half the price of the adult lifetime license, must be purchased before the recipient's second birthday.

**DNR**