Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 25, 1993                   TAG: 9307250046
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: E2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OUTDOOR GROUPS AIM TO RAISE MONEY FOR A FRIEND

Several outdoor groups, ranging from bear hunters to trout anglers, have lined up to help the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries through some tough times. They have promised to support the agency in its effort to wrench additional money from the 1994 General Assembly.

The department, beset with declining revenues and burdened by expanding responsibilities, has decided to go after funding on five fronts:

Increase certain hunting and fishing license fees.

Reroute the 2-percent boat titling tax from the General Fund to the boating program, where it belongs.

Obtain a portion of the sales tax for wildlife work.

Establish a use fee, such as a habitat stamp required of people using department facilities.

Obtain a reimbursement in General Fund money for certain services that the department provides all citizens of the state.

Here's what the outdoor groups are saying:

\ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE FEDERATION: The people who enjoy wildlife, but don't buy a hunting or fishing license, need to start paying their fair share for wildlife programs. One way would be for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to charge everyone who uses its 170,000 acres of wildlife habitat and 27 impoundments. Hunting and fishing license fees also should be boosted.

\ VIRGINIA B.A.S.S. FEDERATION: Fishing licenses and boat registration fees should be substantially increased. The owners of motorless boats should contribute to the cost of the boating program.

\ VIRGINIA CHAPTER WILD TURKEY FEDERATION: The basic hunting license fee should be boosted by at least 50 percent. Turkey hunting should be on a separate license from deer and bear hunting, with each demanding a fee that is equal to a basic hunting license.

\ VIRGINIA COUNCIL TROUT UNLIMITED: A new license should be established for fishing on special-regulation streams. The price of current fishing and trout licenses should be boosted substantially. A short-term nonresident trout-and-basic-fishing licenses should be established to encourage tourism.

Special fee-fishing areas where trophy trout are stocked (the fish would be retired brood stock) should be established similar to the popular commercial operation on Cripple Creek. The trophy fishing should be operated for maximum income from anglers who otherwise would spend their money on private areas.

Children's fishing areas, where adults pay a modest fee to coach youngsters, should be developed.

A trout stamp should be established so people can make voluntary contributions to trout research projects.

\ VIRGINIA DEER HUNTERS ASSOCIATION: The basic hunting license fee should be increased substantially; however, hunters should get a price break when purchasing a package of licenses. In other words, the more kinds they buy - big game, bowhunting, muzzle-loading, etc. - the better the price.

\ VIRGINIA HOUNDSMEN AND SPORTING DOGS ASSOCIATION: There should be a bear hunting-chase season license that is separate from the deer and turkey licenses. The state's basic hunting license should be increased by at least 50 percent.

\ VIRGINIA FIREARMS DEALERS ASSOCIATION: The contributions to fish and wildlife management made by the game and fish department should be recognized, and support should be given to the department's efforts to increase its funding.