As avid sportsmen , we find fulfillment and a sense of community in the great outdoors of Indiana. However, over the past decade, we have faced a steep and discouraging rise in the cost of hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses - particularly those for deer hunting. These costs have impacted us significantly, and the burden of these expenses even hinders our livelihoods.

A good example is the cost of a bundle license for deer hunting, which now exceeds $90, a steep increase that has forced many of us to reconsider if we can even afford to practice an activity central to our heritage and community. For many of us, hunting is not merely a sport, but a way to supplement our food costs. Yet the steep license costs and additional expenses such as meat processing have turned this essential supplemental food source into a significant financial burden, adding to the existing challenges posed by the high cost of living.

To ensure that the tradition of hunting, trapping and fishing can be passed on to future generations, and continue to serve as a vital component of our community and economy, we are asking the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to review and revise the cost structure for the licenses, making them affordable for all residents, and to implement stricter regulations for annual increases.

We call on all individuals who value the outdoor traditions of Indiana, recognize the importance of fair access to these essential licenses and want to defend our cultural heritage, to sign this petition. Together, we can make a change.