License fee increases possible

[Sonicrunch]

kids don't need a license.

[otterman91105]

I think that in increase is ok like others say as long as it stays with the dnr. There is landings around where i live that have gone from just a sand landing to concrete pads and paved parking lots make's launching a boat a lot nicer.

[jwmiller33]

I don't mind paying alittle more as well but...why do they have to raise rates during a recession? I never understood this practice. Increase your fees, rates, whatever when money is good and flowing. "build-up" a savings and when the ecconomy takes a dive, you can maintain your rates at the same price, keep people happy, keep people using your services and then you have a succesful buisness.

Interesting theory you have. I think you make a valid point in regards to the bad timing. However, are you suggesting the DNR should have the financial forecasting ability to be able to foresee a recession X number of years down the road and thus increase license prices in advance of the recession in an effort to "build up" funds for the recession slow down period? Wanting them to only increase prices when times are good may be a nice thought but I think it is not very practicle in the grand scheme of things

[amateurfishing]

it is a state run entity, therefore there is no thinking into the future and the timing is never good

[ClownColor]

Actually JWMiller-

you don't have to predict anything (recession or not), you just need to "plan" on having strong years and weak years. It's actually pretty common practice in the buisness.

If you have a strong ecoconmy, one would "think" you could get away with a slight liscense increase. You don't need to foresee a recession in "x" amount of years, you just need to "plan" for those weaker years (much like snowmobile companies when light winters occur vs heavy snow fall years when everyone is buying a sled)) and have a "savings account" to get you through.

[jwmiller33]

Clown, I respectfully disagree with your logic. I wouldn't approve of the DNR raising license fees just because the economy is having a good year. I would expect license fees to coincide with the DNR’s budget. If they are putting together the budget for next year and anticipate the need for additional funds in addition to what is already sitting in the bank, then I would want them to then raise fees. I don’t want them to raise fees when the times are good just for the heck of it.

[ClownColor]

Clown, I respectfully disagree with your logic. I wouldn't approve of the DNR raising license fees just because the economy is having a good year. I would expect license fees to coincide with the DNR’s budget. If they are putting together the budget for next year and anticipate the need for additional funds in addition to what is already sitting in the bank, then I would want them to then raise fees. I don’t want them to raise fees when the times are good just for the heck of it.

totally understand....

But then I would "assume" you are AGAINST the liscense fee raise? If you don't think they should raise them cause of a strong economy, then you suggest they shouldn't raise them cause of a weak economy OR cause they simply haven't raised them in 11 years? With all the cuts the states been making, reducing hours, land sales, timber sales, federal grants, wildlife sanction programs-one would think the budget is far less then previous years. I'm thinking this invasive species program may have something to do with it.

I think we both agree that they are fair and could care less if they went up a few dollars to enjoy what we both ovbiously do. But why and for what purpose? A simple because they haven't in a while doesn't fly and then why now, why when everyone is hurting for money. I'm simply saying-nows not a good time.

Anyways-sorry for follow-ups. No need to dig to deep into something it sounds like were both okay with to begin with!

Good luck out there and save some fish for the rest of us!

[Boar]

This is a interesting topic, Lisence fees going up, no biggie, I feel it needs to also. All the things we do in everyday life needs to be budgeted so we live within our means. Some months are tighter than others so we budget, wen school starts we budget before hand for the kids clothes, we have a month between the close of the season an the start of the seaon, so if a guy needs to budget 7 more bucks between now an then so be it. I havent had a raise in three years an just got laid off, Really feeling the pinch an cutting back an the change bowl on my dresser looks pretty attractive for that little extra need. My 2 cents.

[reinhard1]

sorry to hear about the lay-off. i too am for the increase of the licences. how long has it been, 10 years or so since we had a increase? i would like to see what the increases of funds are used for however. good luck.

[Boar]

Thanks R1, its all in how ya deal with it, I hope the hike in fees can put more inforcement in the feilds, this last winter on LOW was an eye opener of how much more inforcement is needed on our waters an in the feild, I gladly pay for police proctection an will gladley pay for resource protection also.

[griff321]

I can hardly afford to pay for gas to get to work much less pay for higher license fees, ,my wages dont go up and I have been in the workforce for 28 years, The dnr just needs to spend money wisley instead of getting new trucks and boats every year, my boat is 15 years old and still floats??? Lets keep prices the same so us folks in the lower class can keep affording to take our kids fishing.

I'm in the same boat. I honestly wonder how many people are in a tax bracket lower than me...I'm part of the 1% at the opposite end of the spectrum haha. That bit aside, I'm all for an increase in fees. Remember that if you can't afford the costs, the conservationist license is a sweet deal and it may be part of the problem as well, but a very good alternative in my eyes. Even the cost of a unrestricted license is sweet. Try getting a yearly pass for anything cheaper than a fishing license. Not to mention the vast number of opportunities that come at no additional cost and we really have it good. Whenever I'm out fishing with an uncle that was stationed at Ft. Knox for many years he constantly reminds me of how amazingly good we have it in Minnesota and how much it'd cost just to launch his boat at a public access....if he can find parking.

Throw in the additional resources acquired through the lessard deal and all the budget cuts as a result of the politics surrounding it and it's necessary in my mind. Not to mention the state shutdown that just destroyed revenues. I wish that politics were not a part of resource management practices of this state, but that's how it is and the DNR needs to protect themselves against headline grabbers looking to turn lessard-sams into the lotto because we did what they could or would not get done.

[DTro]

I don't mind paying a bit more, like mentioned, when it's amortized over the year it's pretty darn cheap.

However, I don't agree with how the AIS thing is headed and I fear all this money will be burned up fighting that mess. If an increase is agreed upon, I bet we start seeing a lot more shiny new 15k wash stations around the state.....

[Zoobert]

sorry to hear about the lay-off. i too am for the increase of the licences. how long has it been, 10 years or so since we had a increase? i would like to see what the increases of funds are used for however. good luck.

Especially considering parks were closed a lot the last few years, lots of services cut back, and staff reduced.

Raise the fees. They're HARDLY high right now, and I pay more to watch TV in a month than I pay to fish for four years. Anyone arguing a price increase in cheap licensing is just complaining to complain. For the cost of a 12-pack you guzzle in your shack in a few hours, you get a license.

[harvey lee]

I don't mind paying a bit more, like mentioned, when it's amortized over the year it's pretty darn cheap.

However, I don't agree with how the AIS thing is headed and I fear all this money will be burned up fighting that mess. If an increase is agreed upon, I bet we start seeing a lot more shiny new 15k wash stations around the state.....

I am fine with a increase but ads Dtro has stated, it will more than likely go to more wash stations and if that is to happen, then I would be against the increase.

I guess for me, it depends on how they choose to spend the added funds.

[Down2Earth]

The DNR is one of the most non regulated government entities around. When they can afford to waste $600 million in boat washing stations they sure don't need a fee increase. giving the government more money is never good it just seems to get wasted. The fee increase will probably go toward duck washing stations next.

[rivercat]

Adding an additional fee for use of another line during the open water season would bring in additional revenue.

My 1 cent

Rc

[walleye365]

This is what happens when they take money and use it for what it wasnt intended for. What ever it is what it is,But a non-resident should pay what a MN resident would in there state period. They all ready got the new wash stations what was 15 of them.