Some nonresident hunters, anglers would pay less under proposal

By ERIC FREEDMAN
Capital News Service
LANSING – There may be bargain license fees ahead for some out-of state hunters and anglers, but that would mean less money for wildlife and fisheries conservation programs and activities. An Upper Peninsula lawmaker wants to sell discounted licenses to nonresidents who own property in the state and to ex-Michiganians who formerly lived in the state for at least 10 consecutive years. Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba called it a “come home to hunt” approach that would make their license fees higher than state residents pay but lower than other nonresidents. In the 2013 license year that ended in February 2014, 1,568,760 people bought fishing or hunting licenses, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). About 14.5 percent of them – 227,678 – were from out of state.

Higher fishing, hunting fees could hurt seniors, lawmaker claims

By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Recently proposed increases to state hunting and fishing fees could disproportionately hurts seniors, one legislator said, even for some who haven’t hunted or fished for years. Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, said the array of possible changes to hunting and fishing licenses — including senior deer hunting licenses increasing from $6 to $8 on top of a $4 base fee — isn’t fair to his older constituents. “I know everything is on the table here, but I’d hate to see retirees pay more for their licenses,” Dianda said. “I know there are people who are buying licenses that don’t go hunting any more, but still want to support the Department of Natural Resources” (DNR). Dianda said some seniors in his district buy licenses to support the DNR so younger people can enjoy the amenities it provides.