ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Whether to raise fees for hunting and fishing licenses is on the agenda of a Minnesota Senate committee Tuesday.
The Department of Natural Resources is asking lawmakers to raise fees that haven't changed since 2001. DNR officials say the agency's Game and Fish Fund, is projected to go into the red in mid-2013. They say that would require deep cuts to fisheries, wildlife and enforcement programs.
Many sportsmen's and conversation groups say they're more than willing to pay higher license fees. They're holding a news conference at noon to support increases.
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.
The main license fee bill the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will consider this session is due to be released at 1 p.m., and the panel will take it up at a 3 p.m. hearing.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Comments (7)
Add commentSportsmen's and conversation groups support license increases...
but you must show your ID to get one even if it means disenfranchising certain groups!!!!!!!
raising fishing fees
The cost of gas to get to Minnesota is skyrocketing and we are 8 hours away and the Brainard area is our heaven on earth. Now you want to raise the fees to fish to take 12 fish home.
Jomar
It's Brainerd, and if you can afford gas for an 8 hour trip, then what is the beef? Also this is for Minnesota as a whole, not just the Brainerd Lakes area.
Oh, now I see....
The state lottery proceeds, the clean water/outdoor "legacy" amendment....
These were supposed to keep funding- no, guarantee funding- for the wonderful Minnesota experience.
All lies.
Lottery funds? Into the general fund and SQUANDERED long ago.
Legacy funds? Public TV, 'arts' and a few park benches.
DNR? Over- staffed, over-budgeted, over political.
It's all been lies. "that would require deep cuts to fisheries, wildlife and enforcement programs."
I don't see the down side.
The DNR needs to pay for
The DNR needs to pay for their new gas guzzling Chevy 4x4s, their 4-wheelers that have been through the ice, the new $3500 powersprayers that they are paying $15000 for,and their computers in their vehicles. This all adds up.
down size the DNR
The DNR wants to raise fishing and hunting fees to stay on budget. Minnesota should down size the DNR to stay on budget. If less people are hunting and fishing, how is raising the price going to help get more people into the sports. With less people hunting and fishing we should down size the DNR.
I think the DNR is paying for
I think the DNR is paying for raising the license fees previously... you can't keep raising prices on the consumer and expect them to just say ok, people are tired of this.