Ron Bob,

The license funds are distributed sort of like the "old way." Before the WDF/WDW merger, all WDF license fees went into the general fund, and WDF's budget came from a legislative appropriation from the general fund. They got more money out of the GF than the fees that were paid in. All WDW license fees went straight to WDW. Unfortunately, they were perpetually underfunded. During the Gardner administration, he traded GF money to WDW for the right for the governor to appoint the WDW director. That only lasted for the tenure of Curt Smitch, and then the merger happened. Now, post merger, license fees are disbursed to the GF and WDFW in a proportion that is supposed to mimic the distribution in the pre-merger days. I haven't been able to lay hands on the precise revenue and budget data however.

The upshot: careful what you wish for. You already have it.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.