Well, the easy answer is that question is those of us who hunt, fish, trap, ride snowmobiles and ATVs, boat Maine’s waters, guide, buy outdoor gear, and buy the sportsman or loon license plates, provide all of DIF&W’s funding. The general public pays nothing, although everyone benefits from the work of this agency.

DIF&W’s financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015 is interesting and in some ways surprising. There are 54 sources of money listed, from gas taxes to sale of fish eggs.

Federal funding tops the list with a total of $12,633,197, nearly 30% of the agency’s total revenue of $39                                                                                                                                                                                                       ,065,320. In second place is fishing licenses, totaling $5,708,878. Combination hunting/fishing licenses come in third, with $4,741,588, with hunting licenses close behind with $4,675,158. Assorted sporting permits and licenses delivered $911,666.

I was somewhat surprised that ATV registrations topped snowmobile registrations, with $1,435,680 compared to $931,030. Boat registrations topped them both with $2,301,059. The only other category to top $1 million is the moose lottery at $1,655,235.

In 2002 and 2003, hunting and fishing license revenue accounted for about 71 percent of DIF&W’s state funding. In the last fiscal year, that percentage had dropped to 60%. But overall DIF&W’s state revenue increased from $17.9 million in 2003 to $27 million last year.

So, where did all the new revenue come from? Well, the agency received $414,916 in gas taxes, with $149,733 of that directed to ATV safety and education. They got $501,506 from the bad guys, in fines. Watercraft fines were listed separately at $46,993. Those folks could have purchased a lot of life jackets for that sum of money!

They got $207,313 in grants from state agencies and $207,313 in private donations.  Entrance fees (I presume at the Wildlife Park in Gray) totaled an impressive $624,256. Their sale of “promotional items” which I assume include their line of clothing sold at LL Bean, totaled $230,354.

They also took $1.2 million from the Lifetime License Trust Fund. I remember when the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine successfully advocated for the creation of lifetime licenses. Many were skeptical, worrying that it would negatively impact annual revenue, but the result has been just the opposite. Today, they are able to withdraw significant income from the annual growth of the fund.

From their wildlife management areas, the department sold $249,532 worth of timber. They also sold some vehicles, raising $11,005. And there was an insurance settlement that provided $26,026. No idea what that was all about.

They also sold $60 worth of books. And someone forfeited $280 to the agency. I wonder what that was all about? And oh yea, the sale of fish eggs brought in $360. Every penny counts.