Pa. Game Commission proposes higher fee for hunting license

 The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking approval for what would be the first increase in hunting license fees in 16 years.

The plan unveiled Tuesday would boost the cost of an adult resident hunting license by $20 over five years.

The current $19 fee would initially increase by $10 in the first year and then by $5 in years three and five under the plan, which requires legislative approval. The price of a non-resident adult license would double over the same period to $200.

Junior and senior license fees for residents wouldn’t change.

Commission officials say they rely on fee revenue for nearly 40 percent of their agency’s operating budget. They say personnel costs, including salaries, health care and pensions, have more than doubled since the last fee increase.