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| Donna and Dennis Miller with last crappie to finish all 48 states. |
National Senior Fishing License proposed
By Kim Fundingsland –Staff Writer – The Minot Daily News
A man who has fished
in 49 states and has his 50th, Hawaii, on his coming schedule, says
he’d like to see the implementation of a National Senior Fishing License.
Dennis Miller, a former North Dakotan who claims Livingston, Texas as his
residence, regularly tours the country in an RV with his wife Donna. Both are
avid fishermen.
An earlier proposal
for nationwide free fishing for seniors died for lack of supper at the federal
level. The idea has arisen again, this time at the state level with a push for
a National Senior Fishing License. The license would cost $50 and be good in
all participating states. Fishermen would have to have a resident license from
their home state to be eligible for the national license.
Miller has partnered
with Ray Fernandez, a Mississippi man who operates a national RV website called
Passport America. They currently are encouraging fisherman throughout the US to
sign an online petition at (fishingpetition.com).
“It’s a real simple
petition” said Miller. “I’m getting about 50-100 signatures a week. I’ve never
had a negative response in all my travels. We’re being faily patient with this,
probably try to schedule something in Texas and Florida this winter.”
Miller says he hopes
to take several thousand petition signatures with him when he meets with
various state agencies while pitching the idea of a National Senior Fishing
License. The hope is to get a few states to adopt the concept and then see if
others will follow.
“I would think five
to eight states, probably to start” said Miller. “I’m aiming pretty low, to be
honest. The path that I’m going to take is to present a letter of intent or
agreement. I have no idea whether or not it will succeed. Where this ends up, I
don’t know.”
Greg Power, North Dakota
Game and Fish Departement fisheries division chief, said he had not yet heard
about Miller’s effort when contacted by The Minot Daily News. However, said
Power, some obstacles to overcome would be that sates have varying ages for
senior fishing licenses and different start dates to fishing seasons.
“It’s news to me”
said Power. “It sounds like a logistical challenge.”
In North Dakota a
senior resident fishing license, age 65 or older, is $5. A non-resident season
fishing license is $45. Like many other states, North Dakota does not have a
non-resident senior fishing license.
“States have little
or no cost for senior fishing licenses, so they’ve really not getting any
revenue,” said Miller. “This is a way for them to get money for that. The home
state keeps the $50.”
Coastal states have
both freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses, another issue that would have
to be overcome if the National Senior Fishing License comes to fruition. Miller
says his current effort is aimed solely at freshwater fishing.
By Kim Fundingsland –Staff Writer – The Minot Daily News
Permission provided to include article on Passport America Blog.
Show your support and sign the petition online:
Join the conversation - Follow the Petition for National Senior Fishing License on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FishingPetition
https://www.facebook.com/FishingPetition
I like your article on Senior Fishing Licence, but what about those of us who travel full time who are not "Seniors" yet... 55+ that travel full time and love to fish what about just a National Fishing Licence and then add a Senior discount?
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I signed the pension last year. should we be signing it again? I sure hope this comes about before I am to old to fish....LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe there should be some consideration for Canadian Snowbirds for this idea. I would be willing to pay $100 for an all state licence.
ReplyDeleteA seniors licence for Canadian Snowbirds would be a good idea too
ReplyDelete