The Spirit of the Woods

Proposed License Fees in Michigan

Those of you who live in Michigan or plan on hunting in Michigan should get ready for a bit of sticker shock when it comes time to purchase your 2007 hunting and fishing licenses.  At least this will be the case if the proposed licensing fees get approved for the 2007 hunting and fishing seasons.  Now I am not one to complain about the cost of hunting and fishing licenses but the new increases seem a bit excessive.  Now some folks will tell you that the increase is overdue and that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are experiencing a severe budget crisis.  I would argue that the recently passed Proposal 06-1 would now create a large influx of budget funding because licensing revenue will not longer be redirected to other government programs.  Here is a quick rundown of the proposed fee increases.  As you can see the increases are significant and I have highlighted some items that will have a sweeping impact.  Now it is difficult to predict a person’s future actions but this type of increase will most certainly cause those less fortunate who rely on hunting and fishing as a means to feed their families to violate our state hunting and fishing rule and regulations.  This pretty much does everything short of  promoting poaching itself.  Michigan has been experiencing a major economic downturn due to the reduction in manufacturing jobs in the state.  As disposable income decrease the violations will most certainly increase.