SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5303

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 18, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying the western Washington upland game bird permit.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen and Hargrove

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates: February 19, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature approved dividing the upland bird permit into two permits, one for eastern Washington and one for western Washington, in 1982.  This was done primarily to allow those hunters in western Washington who benefit from the game farm production to support those facilities.  The fee was $12.50 and 12,224 punchcards were sold in the year the bill became effective (1983).  Total income at that time was $152,800. 

In 1985, the cost of the western Washington upland bird permit was increased to $15 and the punchcard became a permit.  In 1986, 11,683 permits were sold for a total income of $175,245.  The western Washington permit sales slowly decreased over the next five years and in 1990, 9,796 permits were sold for a total income of $146,940.

In 1991, the Department of Wildlife upland game bird pheasant fee was increased to $35 and the sales in 1991 were 5,468 permits for a total income of $156,000.  The income that year was less than could have been received because the price change did not take effect until July, 1991. 

In 1992, several permit options were offered.  These include an annual $35 fee which includes hunting from October 3 to November 30, an early season option which costs $25 and runs from October 3 to October 25, a late option permits which runs from October 25 to November 30.  Also a juvenile permit for $20 and a two-day permit for $20 is offered.  Currently, the revenue from the pheasant farm release program covers about 44 percent of the operating program.

There will be several changes for the 1993 season based on 1992 legislation.  The early and late options will be removed and a punchcard system will be reinstated.  However, at this time the punchcard will allow a ten-bird harvest per card.  Hunters may purchase more than one card if they harvest more than ten birds.  If the participant numbers remain approximately the same, at 5,100 participants, then probably 5,800 punchcards will be sold since there will be some people that hunt more often and will purchase two punchcards.  Therefore, the projected revenue by the Department of Wildlife for 1992 will be $202,275. 

SUMMARY:

The fee for the western Washington upland game bird permit which allows for ten birds is reduced from $35 to $20 for the full season option, and $10 for the juvenile or two-day option (the language allowing for early and late seasons and permits was eliminated in 1992).

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested