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Originally Posted by lynnicken
Alot more people that don't hunt or fish benfit from the efforts and programs funded by the F & G Dept than you think. Hikers, paddlers, bird watchers, ATVers... anyone else who enjoys the out of doors but doesn't buy a license contributes little to nothing to habitat restoration or the maintenance of the game or nongame species of the state. And it's been that way for a long time. But in the past, there has been enough of us "sportsmen" funding the department so no one complained. Now, there fewer places open to hunting and fewer people staying with or new to the sport but more people getting into other outdoor activities. Folks have been enjoying nature on the hunter's dime for a long time.
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We've always bought licenses for the year in both MA and NH even if we end up fishing for just a few days. I don't know about NH but since 1983 in MA there is a checkoff on the tax form for anyone that files taxes to help the Natural Heritage and endangered species fund. The hunting and fishing licenses also include a $5.00 for a wildlands conservation stamp. They use a lot of this money to purchase lands deemed necessary habitat for wildlife.
This is a quote direct from the MA site of DFW Does NH have something similar that they promote to those that don't participate in hunting and fishing? >>>Hunting, Fishing & Trapping License Fees--Support fish & wildlife conservation in Massachusetts! MassWildlife's wildlife conservation, education and information projects are supported primarily through license fees, federal Sport Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act reimbursements (P-R & D-J) and donations to the Non-Game & Endangered Species Program. About 5% of MassWildlife's budget utilizes general tax funds are used for land acquisition and endangered species work.
Even if you don't fish, hunt or trap, contribute to the important programs which benefit all wildlife and people in the Commonwealth. <<<<
I don't mind paying a fee for a canoe or kayak if it is small enough, but the problem I have is we have no motorboat at all just 2 canoes and 4 kayaks. They are all muscle power and don't cause much of a wake. If they were to charge I'd rather see a household fee not a per boat fee.