Move to raise all hunting, fishing and boating fee's, Federal duck stamp too

[onpoint]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/...hunting-fishing-license-fee-hikes-mar-13-2012


60+ Groups Back Hunting, Fishing License Fee Hikes

Game and Fish Fund projected to go into red

Updated: Tuesday, 13 Mar 2012, 3:54 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 13 Mar 2012, 3:54 PM CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. - More than 60 sportsmen's and environmental groups are calling on Minnesota lawmakers to raise the state's hunting, fishing and boating license fees.

They point out the state's Game and Fish Fund, which is supported by license fees, is projected to go into the red next year unless the Legislature raises the fees, which haven't gone up since 2001.

Gary Botzek, executive director of the Minnesota Conservation Foundation, told reporters Tuesday that anglers and hunters overwhelmingly support an increase to head off cuts in fisheries, habitat and enforcement programs.

The groups support proposals from the Department of Natural Resources that would raise the fees for a resident adult fishing license from $17 to $24 and a deer license from $26 to $30.

A Senate committee holds a hearing on fees Tuesday afternoon.

Read more: 60+ Groups Back Hunting, Fishing License Fee Hikes http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/...g-license-fee-hikes-mar-13-2012#ixzz1p2IoQjoY

 

[mnmthunting]

I think season long NR fishing licenses should be at least $150.
Still should have the 3 day licenses with a increase as well.
Many NR spend the Summers up here in their vacation homes fish more then the locals.
I Know they pay TONS of taxes.
You know what we pay to NR hunt?

It cost me $1050. for my NR MT hunting license.

 

[FCSpringer]

I think season long NR fishing licenses should be at least $150.
Still should have the 3 day licenses with a increase as well.
Many NR spend the Summers up here in their vacation homes fish more then the locals.
I Know they pay TONS of taxes.
You know what we pay to NR hunt?

It cost me $1050. for my NR MT hunting license.

:cheers: Yep match neighboring states price.:thumbsup:

 

[mnmthunting]

And all those people in Fargo and ND jump the border every weekend to limit on MN fish then lobby like heck to keep MN pheasant and waterfowl hunters out or limit the dickens out of us.

 

[onpoint]

Hunting & fishing are a dieing sport...it's not rocket science...raise the cost and they will only add to the number of those who are priced out. Then who they going to push their budget costs onto when there's so few doing it, because mark my words. That is part of the budget short fall already. I elected to stop deer hunting MN two years ago already and will add others to it to fit my budget if need be.

 

[Freeborn]

I think season long NR fishing licenses should be at least $150.
Still should have the 3 day licenses with a increase as well.
Many NR spend the Summers up here in their vacation homes fish more then the locals.
I Know they pay TONS of taxes.
You know what we pay to NR hunt?

It cost me $1050. for my NR MT hunting license.

Agree 100% with this. I'm not going west this year but I am buying preference points in multiple states and they make you pay for the license, hold your money for 60+ days and then deduct your preference point fee of $50 bucks and return the rest. They get the interest of course.

Bordering states should match our costs for certain.

 

[Augusta]

And all those people in Fargo and ND jump the border every weekend to limit on MN fish then lobby like heck to keep MN pheasant and waterfowl hunters out or limit the dickens out of us.

Yep, they're all jumping the border to catch our 6 six inch walleyes....ever been to a Devils Lake ND boat landing? Looks like a Walmart parking lot in MN......

 

[mnjimmer]

Raise em. It costs me more to fill up my truck then what I paid for resident hunting and fishing licenses this year.

 

[onpoint]

Raise em. It costs me more to fill up my truck then what I paid for resident hunting and fishing licenses this year.

They should raise that gas price too, way to cheap Germany pays $8.00 plus a gallon. We need to get this country inline with others.

 

[Dakotazeb]

They should raise that gas price too, way to cheap Germany pays $8.00 plus a gallon. We need to get this country inline with others.

I sure hope that was said with "tongue in cheek"??

 

[OldDublin]

With surrounding states, reciprocity is fair.
With seperated states, a stab at comparable with what is offered would seem reasonable.
Within a state it depends upon what is needed to operate the department.
If there are shortfalls or programs need funding then raising hunting license fees or whatever fee is only correct....also depends upon the history of fee increases in a state...some, like PA, are overdue.
Costs rise, just the way it is...if a fund tho is being raided by another department then that would need addressed.

The largest problem tho is that hunters and fisherman routinely are complainers and unhappy with their DNR and their DNR's decisions...that makes any rate increase a poke in the eye rather than, at times, a decision seen as wise and as a necessary step forward.
If one is unhappy then paying more is seldom going to be applauded....not even addressing wasteful spending, which can and does occur.

New hunter recruitment faces far more struggles then license cost these days...a fee increase is small taters, comparably.

Tough problem everywhere....brings in the old resident versus non-resident issue many times. That is big in Ohio as NRs flock in to shoot the deer that "belong" to the Residents.
Best to work toward accepting that costs increase and then demanding that fees be best utilized.

 

[onpoint]

I sure hope that was said with "tongue in cheek"??

Oh it was Zeb. I just get cranked up when folks are so eager to throw cash to the same government so many of the same people say needs cutting. The waste in fish and game is so pathetic it's sickening.

 

[jeffstally]

User funding is the way to go. I have no problem paying more for my hunting licenses nor do I think people that do not use WMAs and WPAs should have to pay for it (clean water projects benefit all, however).

On the same token, I should not have to pay for a stadium that I will never use. If the state wants to build it and tax the seats or the fans in some way, go for it. Just don't ask me to pay a dime.