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Last updated 5:52 pm CT November 20, 2009.
IL Hunting And Fishing Fees May Increase
Most hunters say they're not that happy about the hunting hike. The fee increase is in legislation awaiting Governor Quinn's signature. The idea, to raise revenue, but most hunters say, there has to be another way...
Bows, arrows, scent... Its deer season in Southern Illinois.
"Oh, this is always great! We always come the first week of November and this is my son's second hunt. He is yet to take one with his bow but tonight could be the night."
David Gunter and his son Zane drove all the way from Sulpher, Louisiana to hit the stands and get the perfect doe.
"We come to fill our freezer. We come to deplete the herd. We kill does," Gunter chuckles.
Ronny Tochtrop, from Christopher, has been wandering Southern Illinois woods since he was 15...
"Just did it with family, uncles, I like to get in the outdoors. It's stress free."
But, it may not be so stress free. Governor Pat Quinn may soon sign a sweeping hunting and fishing fee increase. The State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp would go from $10 to $15. The resident deer hunting permit would jump from $15 to $25. And all hunting and fishing licenses would shoot up by $7.
Most deer hunters will tell you, they're willing to spend the big bucks to get the big buck. An arrow, for example, is more than $7. A tree stand can run up to a couple hundred. But, they say, when it comes to a hike in fees, that's something they just don't like.
"One time a year we will probably invest the $10 extra, whatever it is, just like everyone else will," Gunter explains.
"I don't like it and I'm sure most other hunters don't either," says Tochtrop.
"They come and get it from the little people and we continue to do it, have continued to do it, we're gonna have to stop someday," explains Rural King Sporting Goods Assistant Manager Clifton Lunsford.
Many people are skeptical as to where this money will actually go. Some fear it may be put into the general fund. But, officials with IDNR say, if the Governor does sign the proposed bill, all the money will go back into the department. Specifically the fish and wildlife funds.
By: Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com
Now: 1258765617
