TWRA set to increase cost of licenses and permits in 2025 [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is operating at a deficit of $8 million.

Unlike nearly all government agencies, the TWRA does not get its funding from the state budget, but instead gets it from the licenses and permits the agency is looking to increase prices for.

The increase would be the first across the board increase since 2015.

TWRA cited the reason being inflation, saying the consumer price index shows TWRA cost has increased by 31.6%.

“Because of this deficit, we’ve already made some cuts. We’re currently holding 20 vacancies which certainly impacts the services we’d typically be providing with those additional staff members,” said Emily Buck, the director of communications and marketing at TWRA. “We’ve cut the budget by $1 million, and we haven’t done any additional infrastructure projects or research.”

TWRA aims to increase boating registration fees by 22%, and most hunting and fishing …