NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WGNS) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has decided to withdraw its planned increase in hunting and fishing license fees that was scheduled to take effect on July 1. The decision came after discussions with state lawmakers who expressed concerns about the financial impact on residents and pledged to explore alternative funding sources for wildlife conservation.

The license fee increase, originally approved by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission in December, would have raised most hunting and fishing licenses by 28 percent, generating an estimated $12 million in additional revenue to address a growing budget deficit. Since the last fee increase in 2015, rising costs have created financial strain on the agency, which relies heavily on license sales for funding.

To manage the budget shortfall, TWRA has already implemented operational cost reductions, including leaving over 20 staff positions vacant, cutting back on printed materials, halting some wildlife research funding, and postponing maintenance on access sites and infrastructure.

Although the license fee increase will no longer move forward at this time, a separate measure to raise boat registration fees by 22 percent was approved and will take effect as planned on July 1.

State officials have committed to working with TWRA to find sustainable funding solutions that will support wildlife conservation efforts while keeping fees affordable for hunters and anglers across Tennessee.