Why Don’t Licenses Run Annually From Date of Purchase?

April 2, 2015

Question: Why do fishing licenses run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 every year rather than from the date of purchase? For example, a person buys his/her license Dec. 1 only to find it expires the end of the month. Then by Jan. 1, they must purchase a new license for the full price. Why not let it go for one full year from the date of purchase? Hunting licenses too run from July 1 through June 30 of the next year. I think license sales would greatly improve if they were changed from date of purchase to the next year. Can someone give a rational answer, please? (Alan E., Los Angeles)

Answer: California has considered changing from a calendar-based sport fishing license to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase. But while this seems beneficial, when we looked at the issue thoroughly, we realized that changing to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase would significantly reduce funding for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

According to CDFW License Program Analyst Glenn Underwood, several other states have made the change to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase, and so we contacted these other states to learn from their experiences. We found states that changed from a calendar year license to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase experienced a reduction in license sales from 10 to 30 percent in the three years following implementation. Experts from these states explained license purchasing patterns changed when the license system changed to one year from the date of purchase licenses. Customers tended to wait until the last minute to purchase a license, as they knew it would be valid for one year from that date. Then when their licenses expired, customers again waited to renew until they fished again, creating a gap in licensure. After a few years the sum of the gaps was often greater than a year and a complete license sale was lost.

Changing to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase would also reduce federal grant funding. Each state in the country receives federal grant money from the Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFRA) which is funding generated from federal excise tax on sales of sport fishing tackle and motorboat fuels. This program funds critical fish habitat restoration projects throughout the state, providing increased fishing opportunities for California anglers. A tiered system is used to allocate grants to the states. In 2014, California received the maximum grant of $16,287,011, which is five percent of the total available to all the states. Federal SFRA grant amounts are based partially on the number of licenses issued in each state. If California license sales declined by as little as three percent, California’s grant would be reduced to a lower tier and the grant amount would be reduced by approximately $2.7 million to $4.5 million, further reducing CDFW’s ability to manage and protect California’s fisheries.

So, while we realize your license restructuring suggestion is popular, it would create a significant reduction in license revenue and sport fish grant funding for CDFW. The resulting reduction in revenue and grant funding would reduce the CDFW’s ability to manage and protect California’s fisheries; and it would reduce the number of fish CDFW could plant for California anglers.

Very short sighted of them.  I think a lot of people would buy a license if they knew that it was good for a full year.  For example; how many people even think about fishing until the weather warms up?  Or vacation comes along?  Maybe May or June.  Then they look into a license and see it's about $50 and only good for 8 or 9 months maybe even less.  Not worth it and they don't buy one. 

The state sells the parks pass based on the month it's purchased, so why are they thinking they don't loose money on that but would on fish licenses?

I'm curious if the free fishing days lure enough new fishermen into the sport to make any increase to licenses revenues.  Or do those of us who regularly by licenses end up subsidizing the free fishers?

So basically, they know its screwing us but that's worth the extra funding they get. Time for 51.

So basically, they know its screwing us but that's worth the extra funding they get. Time for 51.

thats what i got from thier statement.
its funny      in North Carolina its from date of purchase. and you dont need a license if you fish in the county you live in.

In north Carolina it's 15 bucks for a lifetime hunting and fishing license if you're 65
I am of course proud to the owner of the most expensive fishing license in the US. ......................

how many people even think about fishing until the weather warms up?  Or vacation comes along?  Maybe May or June.  Then they look into a license and see it's about $50 and only good for 8 or 9 months maybe even less.  Not worth it and they don't buy one. 

This makes no sense.  So you're saying you want to fish those three months next year? Who buys their fishing license in December? I buy my fishing license in January, my ab tags in March. Then in May I apply for my archery zone and then by August I have bought my deer, duck, upland game and bear tags. Your deer tag is only good for 3 weeks bow and 37 days rifle. Costs same as a fishing license. Ab tags are only good 9 months/year. I'm not sure I see a big issue here. If you want a fishing license and it's December, just wait a couple weeks and grab it January 2nd. If you don't buy your fishing license until April because you don't fish January-March then your license is essentially good for one year because you won't need to purchase another one until next April.

What am I missing?

how many people even think about fishing until the weather warms up?  Or vacation comes along?  Maybe May or June.  Then they look into a license and see it's about $50 and only good for 8 or 9 months maybe even less.  Not worth it and they don't buy one. 

This makes no sense.  So you're saying you want to fish those three months next year? Who buys their fishing license in December? I buy my fishing license in January, my ab tags in March. Then in May I apply for my archery zone and then by August I have bought my deer, duck, upland game and bear tags. Your deer tag is only good for 3 weeks bow and 37 days rifle. Costs same as a fishing license. Ab tags are only good 9 months/year. I'm not sure I see a big issue here. If you want a fishing license and it's December, just wait a couple weeks and grab it January 2nd. If you don't buy your fishing license until April because you don't fish January-March then your license is essentially good for one year because you won't need to purchase another one until next April.

What am I missing?

Nothing.  The guys above defeat their own argument.

I have quite a few friends who enjoy fishing, but what holds them back from buying a license is often the time of year and knowing they will have to purchase another one in a couple months.

Us who fish a lot probably get one for the next year before we even need it or a week or two into the new year, but I know that DFG is losing out on potential revenue from those who would like to fish a handful of times during the year but just can't justify spending half a Benny mid summer. Heck, I think it would be cool if they would divide the license so you could get just a reservoir/lake/pond license, stream/river license, saltwater license and it be priced accordingly. It would help a lot of folks put food on the table. But I'm sure despite it helping the people of California, it would maybe bring less revenue to DFG and they can't have that.

+1 on the 51

What are you missing?  Actual real life experiences of other states?

According to CDFW License Program Analyst Glenn Underwood, several other states have made the change to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase, and so we contacted these other states to learn from their experiences. We found states that changed from a calendar year license to a license that is valid for one year from the date of purchase experienced a reduction in license sales from 10 to 30 percent in the three years following implementation. Experts from these states explained license purchasing patterns changed when the license system changed to one year from the date of purchase licenses. Customers tended to wait until the last minute to purchase a license, as they knew it would be valid for one year from that date. Then when their licenses expired, customers again waited to renew until they fished again, creating a gap in licensure. After a few years the sum of the gaps was often greater than a year and a complete license sale was lost.

In real actual reality situations, people saved money by purchasing licenses when they wanted to fish. In real, actual People's Republic of California, "revenue loss" is unacceptable. Even when "revenue loss" is better thought of as the state exacting money from the fishing public.

Of course that might actually be the best way of doing things, and it might not. It's the disingenuous, disconnected attitude of the state that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, whether or not the system is the best.

Heck, I think it would be cool if they would divide the license so you could get just a reservoir/lake/pond license, stream/river license, saltwater license and it be priced accordingly.

Lemme get this straight... You want to make DFG license and regulations MORE COMPLICATED??!!

Like there would really be any revenue loss.  You know they'd just raise the rates to adjust for that.

-Allen

how many people even think about fishing until the weather warms up?  Or vacation comes along?  Maybe May or June.  Then they look into a license and see it's about $50 and only good for 8 or 9 months maybe even less.  Not worth it and they don't buy one. 

This makes no sense.  So you're saying you want to fish those three months next year? Who buys their fishing license in December? I buy my fishing license in January, my ab tags in March. Then in May I apply for my archery zone and then by August I have bought my deer, duck, upland game and bear tags. Your deer tag is only good for 3 weeks bow and 37 days rifle. Costs same as a fishing license. Ab tags are only good 9 months/year. I'm not sure I see a big issue here. If you want a fishing license and it's December, just wait a couple weeks and grab it January 2nd. If you don't buy your fishing license until April because you don't fish January-March then your license is essentially good for one year because you won't need to purchase another one until next April.

What am I missing?

What your missing is that the California Fishing License is being promoted as good for a year.  It is not.  It is PRICED for a year, 365 days, but depending on when you buy it, it may not be good for a year. 

In your scenario; If I want to fish in December, wait until January, well now THAT doesn't make sense! 

Having the option to fish legally, even though I don't plan to fish certain times of the year, makes it imperative to get your license early in the year.  Just because I don't plan to fish the early months doesn't mean an opportunity might not come up. 

Having the option to fish legally, even though I don't plan to fish certain times of the year, makes it imperative to get your license early in the year.  Just because I don't plan to fish the early months doesn't mean an opportunity might not come up.

Well, they do have 1 and 2 day licenses.

-Allen

Having the option to fish legally, even though I don't plan to fish certain times of the year, makes it imperative to get your license early in the year.  Just because I don't plan to fish the early months doesn't mean an opportunity might not come up.

Well, they do have 1 and 2 day licenses.

-Allen

Excellent point and could make sense when taking someone out at the end of the year.  One thing the state could do to promote would be to have an 'upgrade' option.  For anyone buying the day-use license, they could turn in the license and have it credited for that year's full license.  This is sorta the 'test drive' option to see if you got the bug or not. 
I know there are free fish days, but those aren't always practical for an individual's schedule.