Governor Rell: Credit System in Place for Hunters, Anglers Who Paid Doubled License Fees for 2010 Season

Press Release

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that hunters and anglers who bought 2010 licenses after fees had been doubled can apply for a credit toward purchasing lower cost 2011 licenses beginning December 1.

"This is an issue of fairness and of promises kept for our sportsmen. The legislation I signed last year rolled back fees that had been doubled because of our budget crisis and promised a credit for those sportsmen who paid the higher 2010 fees," Governor Rell said. "The state does have a system in place now to fully credit those individuals who paid twice as much for their licenses.

"Our outdoor sportsmen provide tremendous support for Connecticut's conservation programs. It was not right to penalize sportsmen who made 2010 license purchases while higher fees were in effect," the Governor said.

Full details about the license credit -- including eligibility, the amount of a credit and the process for obtaining it -- are available at www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmenscredit

The Credit System

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will provide hunters and anglers with the option of purchasing their 2011 licenses and obtaining their credit at a DEP office or by mail. Hunting and fishing licenses, permits and tags for the 2011 season will go on sale starting Dec. 1.

Those wishing to apply a credit for 2010 purchases against purchases for 2011 must purchase their licenses for the new season at a DEP office or by mail. Information on the DEP locations and the necessary forms can also be found at www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmenscredit. Sportsmen will NOT be able to obtain a credit if they purchase 2011 licenses, permits or tags through the on-line sportsmen's licensing system, at a town clerk's office or at a retail vendor.

Who Is Eligible

In April, legislation was signed into law by the Governor reducing many of the fees for sportsmen's licenses, permits and tags that had been doubled effective Oct. 1, 2009. This was followed in June by legislation authorizing a credit to be applied against the fee for any 2011 sportsmen's license, permit or tag when purchase of these items for 2010 had been made while the doubled prices were in effect.

Anyone who purchased a fishing or hunting license, permit or tag while higher prices were in effect from October 1, 2009 through April 14, 2010 is eligible for a credit against the cost of purchasing these items for the 2011 season.

The credit will be the difference between the higher amount paid for a license, permit or tag between October 1, 2009 through April 14, 2010 and the amount set by the new fee structure established effective April 14, 2010.

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