License fee increase

Legislation making it more expensive to get some hunting and fishing licenses in Michigan is on its way to the desk of Govenor Rick Snyder. The state House Tuesday concurred on the Senate’s changes to the bill setting up a new hunting and fishing fee system. Under the legislation, the cost of a typical deer hunting license would increase from $15 to $30 and the annual restricted fishing license, which costs $15 for residents, would be eliminated and the $25 all-species license which allows the licensee to fish for all legal species would be the only annual fishing license offered. Other fees would see less significant increases. The increases would raise nearly $20 million in more revenue, allowing the Department of Natural Resources to hire more conservation officers and make other improvements.  (MRN)