08-18-2019, 07:08 PM
After reading all of this thread, I have to chime in. I buy a annual fishing license every year. I buy an annual State Park day pass every year. I have done both for better than 15 years. I have on many years also purchased annual fishing licenses for several of my kids when they were unemployed or under-employed. I did that when it took a license and a second pole permit.
Now you can use 2 poles with just the fishing license, at about $5.00 less than the old cost of license and second pole permit. That's a positive change that Utah made after several years of anglers suggesting it on the annual DNR Fishing rules survey. I believe that change even resulted in a net increase in fishing license purchases.
Now that I'm of the state determined "senior" age, I can get a state park annual pass for less than half of what it was costing me. That is a positive for Utah DNR.
I only really have 3, not really complaints, but observations that I feel Utah needs to address .
1) I think veterans should get a break on their fishing licenses (some states give veterans fishing licenses for nothing.)
2) I have been on the water enough times at numerous places in Utah that make me firmly believe ALL boat operators should be licensed. And to get that license they would be required to pass at least a written test, renewed every 4 or 5 years just like a drivers license. That could generate more revenue to the DNR, and provide a method of punishment for bad behavior on the water by suspending or revoking that boaters license. Way too many ignorant and dangerous boat operators on the waters in this state. When I bought my first boat here in 2004, I was surprised that it required no license. I made the effort to at least take a boaters safety course on-line. I'm licensed to drive a car, was licensed to drive a big rig (CDL), am licensed to carry a concealed firearm, have been licensed at various times in my military career to operate everything from a standard 6 pax truck to a 15K articulated fork lift. Was even certified at one time to taxi a C130 (only did once or twice and only for a few hundred yards) Why should a boat here in Utah be any less important to have a trained operator behind the wheel or at the tiller?
3) This observation is much more complicated, but I don't think an impossible task. Utah really needs to hire, and train more DNR officers to provide a better presence on our waters. A substantial increase in their pay sure wouldn't hurt either. The Rangers I have met have all been polite and professional. One or two have been just a bit "under" qualified when they had to be shown in the proclamation that what they were telling me that I had to have on my boat wasn't required due to the size of the boat (under 15 feet does NOT require a boat horn). But once they saw that I had the correct equipment and was compliant with the state requirements, they thanked me and the next time they saw me, just waved and went on about their activities.
Just some personal opinions based on comparisons with other states I have lived and fished in.
[fishon]
[signature]
Now you can use 2 poles with just the fishing license, at about $5.00 less than the old cost of license and second pole permit. That's a positive change that Utah made after several years of anglers suggesting it on the annual DNR Fishing rules survey. I believe that change even resulted in a net increase in fishing license purchases.
Now that I'm of the state determined "senior" age, I can get a state park annual pass for less than half of what it was costing me. That is a positive for Utah DNR.
I only really have 3, not really complaints, but observations that I feel Utah needs to address .
1) I think veterans should get a break on their fishing licenses (some states give veterans fishing licenses for nothing.)
2) I have been on the water enough times at numerous places in Utah that make me firmly believe ALL boat operators should be licensed. And to get that license they would be required to pass at least a written test, renewed every 4 or 5 years just like a drivers license. That could generate more revenue to the DNR, and provide a method of punishment for bad behavior on the water by suspending or revoking that boaters license. Way too many ignorant and dangerous boat operators on the waters in this state. When I bought my first boat here in 2004, I was surprised that it required no license. I made the effort to at least take a boaters safety course on-line. I'm licensed to drive a car, was licensed to drive a big rig (CDL), am licensed to carry a concealed firearm, have been licensed at various times in my military career to operate everything from a standard 6 pax truck to a 15K articulated fork lift. Was even certified at one time to taxi a C130 (only did once or twice and only for a few hundred yards) Why should a boat here in Utah be any less important to have a trained operator behind the wheel or at the tiller?
3) This observation is much more complicated, but I don't think an impossible task. Utah really needs to hire, and train more DNR officers to provide a better presence on our waters. A substantial increase in their pay sure wouldn't hurt either. The Rangers I have met have all been polite and professional. One or two have been just a bit "under" qualified when they had to be shown in the proclamation that what they were telling me that I had to have on my boat wasn't required due to the size of the boat (under 15 feet does NOT require a boat horn). But once they saw that I had the correct equipment and was compliant with the state requirements, they thanked me and the next time they saw me, just waved and went on about their activities.
Just some personal opinions based on comparisons with other states I have lived and fished in.
[fishon]
[signature]
"OCD = Obsessive Catfish Disorder "
Or so it says on my license plate holder
Or so it says on my license plate holder