Prescott AZ (May 24, 2013) – The Arizona Game and Fish Department office in Kingman will host a meeting in Prescott, Arizona, to seek public input in developing a new hunting and fishing license structure and fees, as authorized by the recent passage of Senate Bill 1223.

A meeting will be held May 30, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. in Prescott at the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors room at 1015 Fair Street.

SB 1223 allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to set future hunting and fishing license structure and fees directly through a streamlined, customer-focused process. It gives the Game and Fish Department the ability to operate more like a business and react to changing market conditions and customer needs in a timely manner.

The bill was signed by Governor Jan Brewer on May 7 and is supported by 24 sportsman’s organizations.

At the meetings, department personnel will present a conceptual license structure and fees and encourage discussion and input on a variety of concepts.

For example, what do you think an elk tag should cost? Would you prefer your hunting or fishing license to be valid for one year from the date of purchase, as opposed to just the current calendar year? Would you be willing to pay more for a fishing license if it included more privileges at a discount over purchasing those privileges separately? How do you feel about the concept of offering some premium deer hunts at a higher fee? Should there be a significantly discounted price for a youth license?

“It’s important to keep in mind that the license structure and fee concepts that will be shown at the meetings will only be that – concepts,” said Game and Fish Deputy Director Ty Gray. “They are not recommendations at this point, but are meant to serve as a starting point for discussion. We want to know what constituents think and what input they might have.”

Those unable to attend one of the meetings, comment can also be submitted via e-mail at LicenseSimplification@azgfd.gov or via U.S. mail to Arizona Game and Fish Department, License Simplification Comment, Attn: Ben Alteneder, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will review the comments and take them into consideration in creating a draft license structure and fees in June. The draft structure fees will then be presented to the public for a second round of comment in June-July. The commission will review and take into consideration that second round of comments before approving a final license structure and fees, anticipated in August. The goal is to have a new structure and fees implemented by January 1, 2014.

For more information, including a PDF copy of the PowerPoint presentation that will be given at the meetings as well as a link to more information on Senate Bill 1223, visit www.azgfd.gov/LicenseSimplification.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes they have been discriminated against in any Game and Fish program or activity, including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimination directly with the Game and Fish Director’s Office, 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086, (602) 942-3000 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 North Fairfax Drive, Ste. 130, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

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