FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: January 21, 2026
Time Requested: 04:47 PM |
| Agency: |
Natural Resources, WV Division of |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 1130 |
Introduced |
HB4686 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Natural Resources |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
3200,8707
Sources of Revenue:
Special Fund
Legislation creates:
Decreases Existing Revenue
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of this bill is to exempt all individuals who exclusively hunt on private property from the fees associated with hunting licenses. This would result in an expected loss of $13,378,721 each year. Rates of Public Land vs Private Land hunting were extrapolated from Deer Hunter Surveys conducted yearly from 2020-2024.
Resident annual sales: Out of the average 106,068 resident annual hunting license sales, we estimate 76,843 (72.45%) hunt exclusively on private land. The average amount spent from 2021-2024 on resident hunting licenses and stamps per hunter was $51.88, equating to an annual loss of $3,986,243. Additionally, approximately $1,306,335 ($17/hunter) of Federal Aid reimbursement will be lost annually due to the reduction in hunting licenses sold.
Non-resident annual sales: Out of the average 32,777 non-resident annual hunting license sales, we estimate 23,357 (71.26%) hunt exclusively on private land. The average amount spent from 2021-2024 on non-resident hunting licenses and stamps per hunter was $183.70, equating to an annual loss of $4,290,637. Additionally, approximately $397,076 ($17/hunter) of Federal Aid reimbursement will be lost annually due to the reduction in hunting license sales.
Resident lifetime license sales: Out of the average 8,791 resident lifetime hunting license sales, we estimate 6,369 (72.45%) hunt exclusively on private land. The average amount spent from 2021-2024 on resident lifetime hunting licenses per hunter was $515.78, equating to an annual loss of $3,286,914. Additionally, approximately $108,270 ($17/hunter) of Federal Aid reimbursement will be lost annually due to the reduction in hunting license sales.
Non-resident lifetime license sales: Out of the 17 non-resident lifetime hunting license sales, we estimate 12 (71.26%) hunt exclusively on private land. The amount spent in 2024 on non-resident lifetime hunting licenses and stamps per hunter was $416.02, equating to an annual loss of $5,040. Additionally, approximately $206 ($17/hunter) of Federal Aid reimbursement will be lost annually due to the reduction in hunting license sales.
This anticipated reduction in revenue would severely impair the Agency's ability to fulfill its responsibility to conserve and protect wildlife resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations of West Virginians.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2027
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
-13,378,721 |
-13,378,721 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
Given Source
Resident:
Average {2021-2024) resident hunters 106,608 2021-2024 Consolidated (A+AH+AHJ+X+XJ) Sales Stats
Percent who hunt on public land 27.55% Where do you hunt question Deer
Hunter Survey 2020-2024
together
Percent who only hunt on private 72.45%
land {100 - 27.55%)
Estimate number of hunters who only 76,843
hunt on private land
Average amount spent on resident $51.88 2021-2024 Consolidated Sales
hunting licenses and stamps {2021- Stats
2024)
Estimated license revenue loss $3,986,243
Federal Aid received per hunter $17.00
Estimated loss of Federal Funds $1,306,335
Non-resident:
Average (2021-2024) non-resident 32,777 2021-2024 Consolidated Sales
hunters (E+EE+AAH+AAHJ+XXJ) Stats
Percent who hunt on public land 28.74% Where do you hunt question
Deer Hunter Survey 2020-2024
together
Percent who only hunt on private 71.26%
land (100 - 28.74%)
Estimate number of hunters who only 23,357
hunt on private land
Average amount spent on non- resident $183.70 2021-2024 Consolidated
hunting licenses and stamps Sales Stats
(2021-2024)
Estimated license revenue loss $4,290,637
Federal Aid received per hunter $17.00
Estimated loss of Federal Funds $397,076
Resident lifetime:
Average (2021-2024) resident hunters 8,791 2021-2024 Consolidated Sales
(A+AH+AHJ+X+XJ) Stats
Percent who hunt on public land 27.55% Where do you hunt question
Deer Hunter Survey 2020-
2024 together
Percent who only hunt on private 72.45%
land (100 - 27.55%)
Estimate number of hunters who only 6,369
hunt on private land
Average amount spent on resident $515.78 2021-2024 Consolidated Sales
lifetime hunting licenses (2021-2024) Stats
Estimated license revenue loss $3,284,914
Federal Aid received per hunter $17.00
Estimated loss of Federal Funds $108,270
Non-resident lifetime:
Number of non-resident hunters 2024 17 2024 Consolidated Sales Stats
(E-L+EE-L)
Percent who hunt on public land 28.74% Where do you hunt question
Deer Hunter Survey 2020-
2024 together
Percent who only hunt on private 71.26%
land (100 - 28.74%)
Estimate number of hunters who only 12
hunt on private land
Amount spent on non-resident hunting $416.02 2024 Consolidated Sales Stats
licenses and stamps (2024)
Estimated license revenue loss $5,040
Federal Aid received per hunter $17.00
Estimated loss of Federal Funds $206
Estimated total loss of revenue $13,378,721
Memorandum
For additional information concerning this fiscal note, please contact:
Wendy Greene, Deputy Director
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
112 California Avenue
Charleston, West Virginia 25305
304-558-2754
Wendy.L.Greene@wv.gov
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Benjamin P King
Email Address: benjamin.p.king@wv.gov