The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is proposing a modest increase in hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees as part of an effort to stabilize long-term funding for wildlife management and outdoor recreation programs.
In a report submitted to the Natural Resource Commission and state lawmakers, the DNR recommended raising license fees by 5 percent — the maximum increase allowed under current state law. Agency officials say the adjustment would help offset rising operational costs and close a growing funding gap.
License revenue, along with federal excise taxes on sporting equipment, supports the State Fish and Game Protection Fund, also known as the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund. The fund is constitutionally protected and finances a wide range of activities, including wildlife conservation, population monitoring, habitat management, outdoor recreation programs, and law enforcement…