ST. PAUL -- Hunters and anglers supporting an increase in hunting and fishing license fees have scheduled a rally for 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Capitol Rotunda in an effort to salvage legislation stalled in the state Senate.
The fee hike, which would be the first since 2001, is necessary to replenish the Department of Natural Resources' Game and Fish Fund, which is projected to go into the red by June 2013 without additional revenue. Money for the fund comes primarily from hunting and fishing license dollars.
According to Anglers for Habitat, many anglers and hunters mistakenly believe that Legacy, Reinvest in Minnesota and lottery funding can be used to replace the Game and Fish Fund.
"This is a user-pay initiative, not a distributed tax, which has full support from Minnesota's outdoor and environmental groups" said Lance Ness, president of Anglers for Habitat "Hunters and anglers attitudes haven't changed. We remain willing to pay our way for quality hunting, fishing and conservation efforts."
Fisheries, wildlife and enforcement programs have been cut to the bone, and now core programs and services are threatened, Anglers for Habitat said in a news release. Funding to battle aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels and Asian carp also hangs in the balance.
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"License fee increases equal to the cost of two dozen jumbo leeches or the sighting-in of a deer rifle are affordable for everyone who hunts or fishes," said Jim Lilienthal, a retired DNR fisheries supervisor and a board member of Anglers for Habitat.
Ness said individuals and groups need to contact their local representatives and senators now and demand support and passage of the fee hike.
"Call, email or write your local legislators FIRST, and plan to attend the rally if we don't get action on the license fee increases and adequate funding for AIS management programs," Ness said. "Asian carp and other (invasive species) threaten our Minnesota outdoor heritage; the problem is real and
