Tennessee Officials Pull Back on Hunting and Fishing License Fee Increase 💸

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further adieu, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Rescinded - Tennessee takes back license rate hikes for this year 💸

• PA licenses on sale - Today is the day to get your guaranteed tag 🏷️

• The popularity of bears - Wisconsin is seeing a resurgence in bear hunting interest 🐻

• Tennessee’s turks - Vol state hunters saw a decline in turkey harvest 🦃

• Just another American packing lunch - Watch as this eagle braves traffic with his lunch in-hand 🦅

YOU DON’T SEE THIS OFTEN
TENNESSEE OFFICIALS PULL BACK ON HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE FEE INCREASE

In a world where we are used to hearing government agencies and officials flip-flop their way through new policy, the reversal of a proposed increase in fees for consumers can be a breath of fresh air. Despite most hunters and anglers supporting a fee increase (we never mind pitching in) that was announced back in December, Tennessee’s Wildlife and Resource Agency suddenly announced that they would be rescinding the new fee hikes.

The decision, announced on June 18th, comes as a relief to hunters and anglers but still leaves the agency grappling with an $8 million budget deficit.

The TWRA, which operates primarily on revenue from license sales and federal excise taxes rather than state general funds, proposed the fee increase to address rising operational costs and a 31.6% rise in the Consumer Price Index since the last fee adjustment in 2015. The plan, initially approved by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission in December, would have raised most hunting and fishing license fees by 28% and boating registration fees by 22%, effective July 1, 2025…

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DEC proposes new rules to streamline deer hunting in New York: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday said the new rules would streamline the use and reporting of hunting tags while creating additional opportunities for youth hunters and landowners. Read the full story.

Pa. Game Commission: Hunting licenses for 2025-26 seasons go on sale Monday: This year, as long as Pennsylvania residents go before Monday, July 14 at 8 a.m., they are guaranteed to get an antlerless license from their Wildlife Management Unit.  Read the full story.

Wisconsin’s bears, bear hunting grow more popular: Bear hunting has grown increasingly popular in Wisconsin since the mid-1980s. In fact, a record 146,021 hunters applied in December for one of the 13,110 bear tags the DNR issued for this fall’s hunting season. That’s over 16 times more applicants than Wisconsin averaged in the late 1980s, and 50% more than the 97,467 applicants for 2010’s bear tags. Read the full story.

GOP tax bill would ease regulations on gun silencers and some rifles and shotguns: The massive tax and spending cuts package that President Donald Trump wants on his desk by July 4 would loosen regulations on gun silencers and certain types of rifles and shotguns, advancing a longtime priority of the gun industry as Republican leaders in the House and Senate try to win enough votes to pass the bill.  Read the full story.

Tennessee’s 2025 spring wild turkey hunting season reports 8% decrease from 2024: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's (TWRA) 2025 spring wild turkey hunting season reported nearly 30,000 harvests, a significant decrease from previous years.  Read the full story.

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🦅 You’re driving to work and suddenly you spot another fellow American on the road carrying his lunch. Watch this awesome footage of a bald eagle just trying to get on with his day amid the morning traffic.

I wonder if he’s going to wait for lunch break…

Circling a new work week.

📸 : @taylor.nature.photography

Oh, and one more thing…