Cash-Strapped Calif County Goes After Duck Hunters

by
posted on April 27, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (9)

As hunters we already pay more than our fair share to preserve publicly owned properties. We spend millions of dollars on licenses and assorted conservation stamps to preserve public lands, while hikers, campers, birdwatchers and more get to enjoy our woods and wetlands free of charge.

And so it's doubly frustrating when local and state governments—cash-strapped by a brutal economy and by their own financial mismanagement—attempt to squeeze a few more bucks out of us.

Take Stanislaus County, Calif. Rather than cut county spending, it's found a way to bring in an extra $1 million during the next fiscal year. Get ready, duck hunters, you're footing the bill. By unanimous approval, county officials raised the annual duck-blind registration fee by one-third, from $300 to $400. It also imposed a $100 monthly mooring fee and $35 dry storage fee for boats at two reservoirs, which could no doubt affect a few sportsmen. A new $100 permit was also introduced to hunt deer or feral pigs.

Attempts by government to further impose fees on the American hunter must be closely monitored. The rising cost of hunting has been found to be a barrier to hunter retention, and if various levels of government think they're feeling the pinch now, just think if hunters quit buying licenses.

Latest

Henry Lever Action Supreme On White
Henry Lever Action Supreme On White

Hardware Review: Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle

Check out Frank Melloni's Hardware review of the Henry Lever Action Supreme.

NRA 2025 Subsidies for Hunters for the Hungry Programs

The National Rifle Association of America has announced its 2025 subsidy program for Hunters for the Hungry (HFH) organizations in the United States by making $100,000 available.

A Shotgun for All Seasons: Savage Renegauge in Argentina

If you want to test a shotgun’s reliability and recoil control, you take it on a high-volume hunt. If you want that trial to more resemble torture than test, you make that a high-volume Argentina dove hunt. Read on to find out how the Savage Renegauge performed.

NRA Names Kyle Lamb as Brand Ambassador for America’s Rifle Challenge

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) proudly announces Sergeant Major (Ret.) Kyle Lamb as a Brand Ambassador for the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC), an innovative training and competition program built around the safe and effective use of the AR-15 platform.

#SundayGunday: Banish 46-V2

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're talking about suppressors, specifically the Banish 46-V2, capable of taming nearly every gun in your safe, up to and including the big boys like .338 Lapua.

KelTec Named Official Stage Sponsor for 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is proud to announce KelTec as an official sponsor of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, returning to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.