Link to letter from KDFWR

[Chubminnow]

http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/gassettletter.asp

I don't know if I'm supposed to throw links up on a thread or not...I believe I've read something or another from the moderators of this great website about copy write laws, etc...at any rate, if the link doesn't work I just wanted to let everyone know there is an interesting letter from the Commissioner of Ky Fish and Wildlife regarding an increase in license fee's, etc...The letter contained a few tidbits of information that I was not aware of...One of which Kentucky is one of the few states who's wildlife resources are paid for strictly by the revenue it brings in from the sell of licenses, tag's, etc, while other states recieve wildlife funding as part of the general state tax...I may be wrong but that's how read it anyway.

For what it's worth, and even though it's more money out of mine and your pockets, I support the encrease.

[MrSplitshot]

I support the increase 100%.

I know that if my company was still charging the same prices for our products in 2006 that we were in 2000, I couldn't even begin to offer the same level of service. (Honestly, I doubt we'd even be in business.) Increased fuel costs, insurance costs, huge raw material price increases from suppliers...

Prices rise, that's just the way it is. Unfortunately, many of our salaries do not increase enough to keep up.

Even still, I support the increase. Honestly, when some of us spend $20 on one Lucky Craft crankbait, are you going to let a little bit higher license keep you from fishing at all? Nope.

Shoot, double the price of the license if it makes a noticeable difference in the program and the angler sees positive results.

[Danny]

I took a completely different take from it than has been mentioned... it being the open letter... thanks for the link.

While it is true the mention of the license increase began and closed the letter, the body of the letter clearly discussed the disadvantages they (KDFW) face vs. other states that get funding from the general fund, or the general public.

As it says, the wildlife belongs to all the public, including birdwatchers who I don't believe contribute to the fund.

I think we should all petition our state legislators to restructure the way the KDFW is funded, and give them an equal footing as those states that surround KY.

Just my take on it.


Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[fishincreek]

Let's hope NOT. Don't need a bunch of clueless politician sticking their nose in the Dept. any more than they do now. Get public monies and you have to deal with what the PUBLIC wants(or doesn't want) Potential disatser.
Let us pay our own way so we can have our own SAY.

[Chubminnow]

I would have to re-read the letter, but if I remember it correctly they (KDFWR) wrote that Kentucky is one of the most desirable places in this region to hunt and fish. I look around and notice how much new construction we have going on and even though I earn my living directly through the construction industry, I can't help but get disgusted/depressed at the though of ruining good land so some development guru can get fat off of it, I also wonder just how much all of the new development is effecting fish and wildlife. Common sense tells us that "yes of course development is hurting our natural resources"...but I think it happens at a somewhat slow pace, I think you might not see the effect within five years but you would certainly see the effects in ten years or longer...even still, and regardless of the KDFWR mentiong that Ky is a hot spot for out-of-state sportsmen, the fact that KDFWR is able to maintain the level of quality for our fisheries and and lands strictly from the sell of licenses says a lot to me...If what the KDFWR writes is true, then it says to me the system they have in place at the present time for funding is working as it is, yes they need a rate encrease and that's ok by me, they're doing a good job. When I first read the letter I to thought the same thing, let's do like the other states and collect more money. But the one poster here who said that might not be such a good idea, having a general political system having the ultimate say so about the funds brought me back to my senses. I like the guys at KDFWR to have the say and be the one's to keep tabs on everything. Of course this is just my own personal opinion and I don't know much about politics, etc.

Born in Kentucky, lived in Kentucky all of my 45 years and mighty proud of it!

[kybaitcaster211]

KDFWR is having "Town Meetings" in each district , Check their website for info. We definately don't want general fund dollars in the dept. Texas does that and the Dept of parks and Wildlife is about bankrupt because of politicians moving money away from wildlife projects to pork to make themselves look good. KDFWR does an awesome job and relies heavily on volunteers. If you really want to help, contact them for opportunities in your area. I have done it for aquatic education and hunter education for several years. As far as pay goes, no cash but much better returns.
Thanks

[Viking]

Even though KDFWR receives no monies from the general fund, the politicians can and have taken monies from KDFWR fund for the general fund. This has happened twice that I know of.