T P & W Is Reaching Out For Help

[Bilbo]

If they raise the cost of NR lic from where they already (some of the highest in the country) they would lose even more money.

$315 to shoot 5 deer is NOT that much money. What would it cost for a Texan to shoot ONE deer and ONE elk in NM, CO, or AZ?

[Sparkles]

$315 to shoot 5 deer is NOT that much money. What would it cost for a Texan to shoot ONE deer and ONE elk in NM, CO, or AZ?

It actually is when states with better genetics charge a little over 1/2 what Tx does. Not sure bout Colorado and NM but I can tell you about a few other states all of them less. Also typically when an out stater comes it is for one deer only anyway it's not like the vast majority are here on a lease hunting all season long. Plus the implementing of a lottery system wouldn't help either, than you are saying we want your money just not from all of you. The reason there isn't a draw is the deer numbers the same there is a draw in other states.

[BoneDigger]

What is an NR license?

Todd

[Sparkles]

non resident.

[Bilbo]

NR = Non Resident = $315

Dale, you have a good point, but I doubt raising it a little would cause less hunters to come. Ours is higher than I thought it was already.

[Sparkles]

No system is perfect. I just know a handful of people from western states that hunt whitetail and don't consider TX because of cost, not just lic but day lease and everything else when they stand the chance at smacking a bigger deer on public land in other states. You are right though I doubt a few $$ would deter the ones that already do come to Tx.

[blacksunshine]

maybe they should run a reprieve on the lifetime hunting/fishing license price jack....for a limited time to entice people to get in on the action while the getting is good....

[41Chevy]

The Parks system operating budget is always on the brink and being cut and cut some more - yet here they are buying up more HIGH $ land in Palo Pinto Cnty to let it sit until they have the money to develop it into a new state park years down the road.

That was paid for by selling land on Eagle Mountain lake.

[Archery1st]

My $.02 TPWD is a huge money pit that bleeds $$ like there is no tomorrow and the TPWD fund is used as a slush fund for every special interest project that comes along.

The only ones I feel for is the poor guy that is busting his hump working long hours in an underpaid job that may likely get laid off - when his salary is but a drop in the bucket.

Sorry - but TPWD is big business. They should try running it like one.

[M-2]

First, I nominate BoneDigger as Chief TP&W Budget Director. He seems to know where the waste is.
It looks like the Commissioners ALLOCATE the budget they are given by the State.
Here's a list of all of them - click here

Here's a statement about the fact that they cut the 2012 budget by 21.5%

Texas Parks and Wildlife Manages 21.5 Percent Cut in 2012 Budget

Agency Relying On License, Park Revenue To Avoid Further Impacts
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission today approved a 2012 budget that reflects a 21.5 percent cut in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department funding over the next two years. The agency is trying to limit impacts on the public involving state parks, fisheries and wildlife, and leaders say there are ways people can help.
The 2012 operating and capital budget approved Aug. 25 by the commission totals $332.31 million, down from $423.2 million in 2011 and $468.8 million in 2010. TPWD had requested $700 million for the 2012-2013 biennium in its Legislative Appropriations Request and received $550 million, a reduction of $150 million or 21.5 percent.
The state budget bill also reduced TPWD’s employee count by 231.5 FTE (full time equivalent) positions. However, the legislature passed a rider that says if the agency can generate enough revenue from park fees and other sources, it can save about 60 state park FTEs, making the actual FTE cut 169.2 positions. After accounting for vacancies, 111 people were laid off across the agency, which employs about 3,100 people statewide.

So, if the State of Texas hasn't got the money to fund TPWD, then, sure they either have to raise fees or beg for donations.

I believe the Texas state budget deficit ($27 billion) is almost the same as California's ($28 billion).

[Wudstix]

Got my annual permit this year.

[Codie]

That was paid for by selling land on Eagle Mountain lake.

i know where it came from. Where it came from doesn't make a hoot. If they are in a hurt financially they could use that money to help out instead of asking us to dig them out

[Codie]

My $.02 TPWD is a huge money pit that bleeds $$ like there is no tomorrow and the TPWD fund is used as a slush fund for every special interest project that comes along.

The only ones I feel for is the poor guy that is busting his hump working long hours in an underpaid job that may likely get laid off - when his salary is but a drop in the bucket.

Sorry - but TPWD is big business. They should try running it like one.

exactly right

[scissorhands]

Maybe they should put lifetime licenses on sale. That would generate some revenue!

[rubydog]

I may get flamed for this but I say that the state should charge an appropriate fee for the services that the "state employed" biologist perform on MLD land. I will gladly throw a few extra dollars toward the state parks just to keep them around.