Non-resident hunting license fees could increase by double the previous cost to help state officials purchase land for hunting and fishing. The key word is “could,” because there is no mandate to automatically double in price. Resident fees remain the same.
“We’re reviewing the intended goals of the legislation and are evaluating each fee based on the relevant market values of neighboring states and the opportunities we offer,” DWR Director Riley Peck said. “This legislation is intended to increase revenue to allow us to purchase public land for the specific use of protecting wintering wildlife populations. The legislature also allocated $50M to the DWR, specifically for the purchase of large land parcels to secure hunting and fishing on these properties into the future.”
Hunting and fishing fees for nonresidents will be increased, as follows:
— Nonresident hunting, fishing and combination license fees will not double, but will see a moderate adjustment. Nonresident 365-day hunting licenses will increase from $34 to $44 for youth and from $120 to $144 for adults. Nonresident combination licenses will increase from $38 to $58 for youth and from $150 to $190 for adults. This change will be in effect July 1, 2025.
— Hunt drawing application fees for nonresident hunters will be $21 per application, a $5 increase, beginning Sept. 1, 2025. There are no changes to the fees for any applications, licenses and permits offered through the current 2025 big game application period.
— Nonresident hunting permit fees will be right-sized to value, based on the species and permit type. For example, limited-entry permit fees will be adjusted more than general-season permit fees. Once-in-a-lifetime species permit fees will generally see a higher increase, proportionally, than other permits. Nonresident buck deer permits for general-season hunts will increase from $418 to $599, and limited-entry permits will increase from $670 to $1,070. Nonresident bull elk permits for general-season hunts will increase from $613 to $849, and limited-entry permits will increase from $1,050 to $1,950.
