I hope I did that poll thing right!
Anyway, as a scout leader and a fisherman one of the things I like to do with my troop is to introduce the younger generation to the sport I love. For many of the boys in my troop this is there first fishing trip. The problem I have is with the DWR lowering the "age to pay" to 12. Scouting activities can be expensive enough with food and gas. Tack on a fishing license and its time to find something else to do. I know that it is only 5 bucks for a 12-13 year old to get a license, but as a scout master it really dose make it harder.
Now, the way I figure it, the DWR is getting a little money now, and losing a lot in the end. Every kid that gets hooked on fishing will spend the rest of there lives purchasing licenses. At 26 bucks for say 50 years thats $1300 in fees. Equal to 260 youth license fees. I know the math is flawed, but you get the point.
Please tell the DWR to make it easier for US who love fishing to pass it on to the next generation!
[signature]
It all comes down to money. I'd like to see the extra revenue put into youth based programs instead of a general fund but that's just silly [mad]. A fishing license is not a bad thing, in a small way it teaches responsibility. If a 12 year old can tote a high powered rifle around the mountains during the rifle hunt than certainly he's old enough to have a fishing license.
I think the dwr did make it easier for those who love to fish. You can bet your tenderfoot there were those who wanted to charge the full price for a fishing license.
[signature]
12 year olds paying isn't new. I know I paid for a license when I turned 12 in 1984. Shortly after that they changed the rules and no license needed. I agree that the new requirements should be changed back. I too was a scout leader and it does make it hard to take them fishing when they require a license. I would suggest to let the parents know well in advance and get them to go purchase them ASAP.
[signature]
I just had scouts tonight, and told my group about a local pond that I fished growing up that was just stocked. The kind of info I lived for as a kid. The reaction from 5 of the 6 was "I don't have a license". I think 12-13 is just getting old enough to develop a passion for fishing that will last forever. And its not just the 5 bucks. Its also the hassle of getting licenses for everyone in a troop. Honestly, most of the boys now don't even want to go fishing. Add getting a license and its another excuse to sit home and play the Wii. We need to get them out of the house and into the hills. All it takes is that first fish to make a lifetime fisherman. And yes, they DID make it harder when they added the cost and hassle of a license. I may be wrong, but I do think in the long run it will do more harm than good.
[signature]
Having sat through several of the meetings where the DWR talked about this the first thing lost is that the State receives $7.50 from the feds for that license the scout bought. We all pay taxes on fishing equipment. That money goes to the feds and then back to the states at least partially through the sale of licenses. No money from the scouts no money into the system.
[signature]
The reason the DWR dropped the age to 12 was for the federal money. All of the fishing gear we buy has a 10% excise tax on it. The distribution of this revenue is determined by license sales from each state. I'm not sure how much the state gets, however, it's about $7.50 per license. This makes a $5 license worth $12.50 to the DWR. I know in the past the DWR has planted fish near the boy scout camps. In addition, the community fisheries are all supplied with planted fish. Young anglers have access to these ponds as well.
Try giving a 13 year old only $5.00 to go out to the movie with friends for just one night. In the school where my wife teaches at least 1/3 of the sixth grade students have cell phones. I don't think $5.00 a year is too much.
[signature]
You could always consider taking them out on free fishing day(June 6th). If you are only taking them out once in a year that is the way to go, or just to see if they like it. If they like it, then it might be worth it to buy the year license, just a thought. WH2
[signature]
I think 12 years old is a fine age to teach boys about buying a fishing licence. Heck there is nothing wrong with a boy that age starting to earn money for the things that bring him joy. it is a good example for your scouts as to why we as parents/ scout leaders/ sportsman pay into the system to improve and maintain the fisheries. [
]
<;((((((((>< jmho
[signature]
I think that the licensing of the youth is a good thing. It does teach responsibility in learning the regs as well as fiscal responsibility. Take the boys out on free fishing day then show them how they can get a license. They will like it in the long run. Most parents are willing to help their scout out with $5 here and there from my experience.
[signature]
We have had scouts come by and offer to paint our house number on the curb for $5 in the past. It is a good fund raiser and most folks are willing to help them out for a $5 donation. WH2
[signature]
The number one thing, in my book, for scouts to learn is responsibility. There are no free tickets in this world. At some point, kids must learn the value of a dollar. What better way to teach them this than a fishing license?
Personally, I think purchasing a license and understanding where that license money goes to should be part of the requirements of the fishing merit badge. Part of being a Scout is learning about conservation. Without conservation, fishing wouldn't be available to any of us. Without fishing license sales, there would be no conservation.
It's a shame that Scout leaders would consider making changes so that Scouts could have a free ride when it comes to fishing licenses. What is that teaching the Scouts?
[signature]
Well said +1[sly]
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]I got an email from a DWR employee who noticed this thread and wanted to remind folks that there is an exemption possible for youngsters who are taking part in a special youth program...like scouting.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Attached is a PDF file of the application form and it can also be found on the DWR board at[/#0000ff]
[url "http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/pdf/youth_org_exemption.pdf"]http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/pdf/youth_org_exemption.pdf[/url]
[signature]
This makes it nice. When I was the 11 year old leader I would take them fishing several times a year. We would work on the fishing merit badge at the same time. We would start every spring in March and be done with the badge by May. (includes all the fishing ot be done with one month classroom work).[cool]
[signature]
Age should be 14 plain and simple. In the long run they would make more money.
[signature]
Hey Pat thank the DWR guy for the information. I looked for it last night but couldn't find it in this years Guidebook. I know half my kids in the Youth fishing club were exempt while fishing with the group.
[signature]
I am also a scout leader and I can certainly see both sides of this. I think Tube Dudes solution is a great one; however, I see what so many of those kids bring on campouts and I don't know if I buy the "I don't have $5 to buy a license" argument. Maybe have them NOT buy a couple of their Sobe teas or energy drinks and that should about cover the $5 license. Obviously, I am generalizing here, but I do think most kids could get one. If not, I think that that could be a valid cost that could be counted against your budget. Speak with your scout commissioner and see if something can be done. I do feel for you, really, but I think that if your kids want to fish and you want to take them, there are certainly some solutions available.
[#ff0000]Sorry links to blogs are not allowed.[/#ff0000]
I agree with the idea of 5 dollars is nothing compared to what has been spent on the assortment of electronics kids take with them every where they go. I teach school and I think kids need to earn their own way. When I was 12 not only did I buy my own licese but I also earned the money for my first shotgun. If they don't have enough interest to come up with five dollars then I don't think they are very serious about it. Where there is a will there is a way. There was when I was 12. gshorthair
[signature]
They need to know that "If you play you need to pay" Yes they should buy a license at 12 so they can catch a full limit...
[signature]
[quote bassrods]
Yes they should buy a license at 12 so they can catch a full limit...
[/quote]
Clifford, a few years they changed the law so that the limits are the same for those with or without a license. No longer is the child limit 1/2 of the adult limit.
[signature]