Demystifying hunting and fishing licenses

A note to the prospective hunter/angler: Do not think for one second that you can plunk down $64 for the state's "Super Combo" license and call it good. You would be close, but no cigar. There are many specialized state "endorsement stamps" you'll need in addition to licenses, even the mythical "Super Combo," which does not really cover, as the cashier will invariably tell you, "Everything you need for fishing and hunting except the federal duck stamp."

The so-called Super Combo does indeed cover many things: the resident hunting license and both salt- and fresh-water fishing, as well as the mandatory archery endorsement stamp for the archery-only hunting season in October ($7); the upland game stamp for quail, turkey, pheasant, chachalaca, and lesser prairie chicken (also $7); and the migratory game bird stamp for dove, waterfowl, sandhill crane, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe or woodcock (another $7).

It seems the Super Combo is good for "everything except the federal duck stamp," but do not get caught hunting on one of the many state public hunting areas without the additional $48 annual public hunting permit. One would not think infractions of fish and game laws can cost three, four, or 10 times as much as a common traffic ticket, but one would be wrong.

I have already purchased my Super Combo, as well as the annual public hunting permit ($48) that I'll need to access lands managed with my tax money, as well as the federal duck stamp ($17) for a grand total of $129, all in order to go afield and afloat in pursuit of the foods that I prefer.

As I wrote last Sunday, hunters and anglers should buy licenses now if they have not done so already! For all practical purposes, last year's 2007-2008 fishing and hunting licensing year is done and gone. The new 2008-2009 licenses are available, and all hunting and fishing licenses are valid from Aug. 31, 2008 to Sept. 1, 2009.

Traditionally speaking, South Texas hunters head out for white-winged dove to mark the inception of every hunting season, which requires the $23 resident hunting license, plus the migratory game bird endorsement stamp required to hunt dove. With that taken care of, the hunter has also taken care of deer, feral hog, and exotics in the state, as well as varmints such as coyotes that are not about to "commit depredation to livestock," even if that hunter does not intend to pursue such abundance covered under the license.

Regardless, that license is the baseline for Texas hunters, and only a few hunters I know do not also fish. I do, however, know quite a few anglers who do not care to hunt. Either way, hunters who don't fish and anglers who don't hunt would obviously want to forego Super Combo license option. They should also pass on the so-called Combo, which costs $57 for the option that covers both salt-and-freshwater fishing rights and a hunting license. The Combo is apparently marketed for anglers who also hunt game without caring to hunt birds of any type, because it excludes the $14 worth of necessary wing-shooting stamps.

The state stamps seem mostly redundant to me; for example, a freshwater fishing license is $28, but you cannot catch fish in the freshwater lakes and streams in Texas unless you also purchase a five-dollar freshwater endorsement stamp. Therefore, if you bought your freshwater license, you will actually need $33 total to fish legally in the state's fish-holding bodies of fresh water.

The saltwater stamp is $10, and the license is $33. However, that's five dollars more than the $38 fresh-and-saltwater "all-water" license and stamp, so anglers on the coast may as well purchase that one, unless dead set against both freshwater fishing and saving five dollars. I am 99-percent a saltwater angler, though I'm glad for obvious reasons the Super Combo covers all state waters, not the least of which is not having to look over my shoulder for gung-ho, motivated game wardens for a few mornings on the resaca bank throwing spinner-baits for bass.

Active-duty service members, disabled veterans, children under 17 and lifetime license-holders are exempt from all state endorsement stamps, but Uncle Sam still wants his $17 for the Federal duck stamp if you're going to hunt ducks and waterfowl.

Whatever you chase in the field or on the water, cover yourself with the shelter of all the requisite licenses and endorsements, because $129 or $64 or whatever you have to pay for permission to harvest, process and eat your favorite foods is considerably less than fines and restitution.