Hunting and fishing licenses in TN may become more expensive

Tennessee hunters and anglers may be paying more for licenses after wildlife commissioners approved a new fee structure that includes increases of roughly 27% to 29% for many licenses. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s proposed license changes during its August meeting. The changes for the Resident Annual Hunt/Fish Combo would increase from $33 to $42 with the Sportsmans License increasing from $165 to $189. The changes aren’t final yet as the new license structure will go before the Joint Government Operations Committee for approval later this year. TWRA says that higher fees are needed to keep up with the rising costs of managing Tennessee’s wildlife, fisheries and outdoor resources. The agency is also trying to simplify what it says is a complicated system of licenses and permits.