THIS Christmas season it looks as if Scrooge has taken up residence in Albany.
Hunters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts likely will take big hits if Gov. Paterson’s budget is passed.
Hunters already are upset over the closing of the Reynolds Game Farm, which raises birds to be released in the wild. A move that made no sense because hunters spend money in upstate communities and contribute to the state by paying taxes on ammunition, food, hotels and such.
The budget also includes establishing a new-marine fishing license at a cost of $19 for state residents, and $40 for out-of-state individuals. The marine fishing licensing also would serve as a registry of New York marine anglers and would fulfill requirements of the National Saltwater Angler Registry and State Exemption Program.
The budget will establish a new trout and salmon stamp at a cost of $10, and will require everyone fishing for trout and salmon to possess a stamp in addition to their standard fishing license.
Fees for various park activities, such as camping, cabin rentals, golf, and marina usage, as well as for Empire passports, passes and permits also will increase.
You also can bet that a porting license for fishing and hunting will be raised.
The saltwater license was inevitable, because the federal government requires coastal states to put a license in place by 2011, but if it’s a state license program, the money would have to go to help New Yorks marine access and habitat programs.
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Dozens of New Jersey’s most outstanding white-tailed deer from the 2007-08 hunting seasons will be on display at the Garden State Deer Classic to be held during the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show Jan. 8-11 at Raritan Center in Edison.
The Deer Classic is an annual event showcasing hunter entries in New Jersey’s Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program. It includes categories for typical and non-typical antlered deer taken with bow, shotgun, muzzle-loading rifle and crossbow (allowed with a special permit issued by the DFW for the physically challenged) in addition to the 200-pound buck and 135-pound doe field-dressed weight categories.