By MIKE DONAHUE
Moapa Valley Progress
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) this year changed the fee structure for hunting and fishing licenses in an effort to make it easier for anglers and hunters in the Silver State.
In addition to making the process easier it is also less expensive for outdoor enthusiasts.
“The fee changes are part of a license simplification process,” according to Doug Nielsen, NDOW conservation education supervisor in Las Vegas. “In the past, a hunter or angler required certain state special use stamps in addition to their license. Now those stamps are included in the price of the license.”
Prior to this year, anglers who wanted to fish from a boat in Lake Mead, or fish for trout, or use a second pole had to purchase a special use stamp that was affixed to their fishing license, explained Martin Olson, NDOW conservation educator. Now those special use stamps are already included in the price of the license.
Additionally, the new fishing license is good for one year from the date of purchase, Olson explained.
“The fishing license used to run from March 1 to the end of February of the next year,” he said. “If you bought a fishing license in December, it would still only be good until the end of February.
“Now, however, when you buy a license it is good for a complete year no matter when you buy it,” he said.
A regular fishing license for a person 18 years or older at the time they purchase the license is now $40 and a combination fishing and hunting license is $75 for adults. For residents at least 12 years old but less than 18 at the time of purchase, the combination license is $15. Senior specialty combination licenses for those 65 and older with five years of residency is $15.
Nielsen said the combination is a real savings for outdoor enthusiasts.
“I always buy a combination hunting and fishing license,” Nielsen said. “In the past, with stamps, I paid $84. The same combination license this year is less than $80.
“The only specialty stamp a hunter may need is the federal duck stamp. In addition, the number and types of licenses have been reduced.”
Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to check NDOW.com for a complete listing of all license fees. Additionally, 2018 fishing and hunting proclamations have all required fees.
