License fees increase

Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation making it more expensive to get some hunting and fishing licenses in Michigan, in an effort to better support Michigan’s natural resources. The measure sets up a new hunting and fishing fee system. Under the legislation, the cost of a typical deer hunting license will increase from $15 to $30 and the annual restricted fishing license, which costs $15 for residents, will be eliminated. A $25 all-species license which allows the licensee to fish for all legal species will be the only annual fishing license offered. Other fees will see less significant increases. The increases are expected to raise about $18 million in more revenue, allowing the Department of Natural Resources to hire more conservation officers and make other improvements. The new fee structure takes effect March 1, 2014.  (MRN)