USA: Some outdoors fun no more free for Seniors

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA (Associated Press), June 2, 2005:

Senior outdoorsman will soon have to pay $9 for an expanded lifetime license that state wildlife officials had previously given away for free.

The state Natural Resources Department says South Carolina residents 64 or older must purchase a Senior Lifetime License for $9. The license expands lifetime privileges for hunting, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, big game, wildlife management area permit and the state duck stamp.

Previously, wildlife management area permit, state duck stamp and saltwater fishing privileges came with the gratis 65-year-old resident hunting and fishing license, the agency said.

State law will require all resident hunters and fisherman who turn 65 after July 1 to purchase the new license. Those who turn 65 before that date can still get the free lifetime license.

Billy McTeer, who coordinates license sales for the Natural Resources Department, said the new license will increase funds to manage resources in South Carolina.

McTeer said most money that goes to managing fish and wildlife are federal funds given states based on how many licenses are paid for. "These funds are generated by taxes on hunting and fishing equipment," McTeer said.

McTeer said gratis licenses don't count toward South Carolina's total and cause the "state to miss out on federal dollars earmarked for fish and wildlife conservation."