The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission announced last week it is raising hunting and fishing licenses, and boat registration. Most fees will increase about 5 percent.

Gene McCarty, TPWD deputy director of administration, said the increase was long overdue.

“Frankly, these licenses have been undervalued and could represent significant lost revenue over time if not adjusted,” McCarty said.

TPWD spokesman Steve Lightfoot said the increase would annually harvest about $4 million more in revenue. The money would be used on administration.

“It’s not going to create any new programs or services. It’s primarily to cover recruitment and retention. There’s going to be some salary increases for some professionals, and to just cover operating expenses,” Lightfoot said.

For capital improvements, the department is looking for other revenue sources, Lightfoot said

Rick Smith, marine consultant with Marine Outlet in Temple, said any tax increase is a concern, but a small spike in boat registration fees is understandable. He’d like to see the extra revenue spent on boat safety, park improvements and repairs.

“I’m certainly not opposed, as long as the money is not wasted,” Smith said. “We all know the state parks department is kind of strapped. A lot of parks were damaged in the hurricanes.”

Standing behind the gun counter at Academy Sports & Outdoors in Temple, Verley Hunter said he hasn’t heard any grousing about the increase.

“I suspect to dove hunters and hunters in general, it doesn’t make too much difference,” Hunter said. “They may complain, but I think they’ll buy them (licenses). It hasn’t been a big issue here, by any stretch of the imagination. And I’m behind the gun counter at least five days a week.”