Originally posted by: phantomtoo on 11/15/2006 8:49:12 AM

Has everyone seen this report? It came out only 2 days after the election. You can find it here: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/d...7934_7.pdf

After searching the DNR website for email addresses, I sent this to anyone who looked “important”:

“I have just read the "Hunting and Fishing License Package Development Work Group - Final Report - November 9, 2006."

In regards to the proposed changes to the senior "discount" on licenses, my comment is "why bother"? After waiting all these years for my senior "break", I find that the proposed senior fee is an insult!!

Why don't you wait and see if having ALL the natural resources funds to work with (for a change) solves some of the shortages?

I expect that you will also see a decrease in nonresident hunters and fishers, and more arrests of resident ones, with the proposed increases.”

I got 1 response:

“Thank you for taking the time to read the Hunting and Fishing License Package Development Work Group report. The group has been meeting since last January and put a tremendous amount of time into producing the important report. The decision on the senior discount was made in order to remain consistant with the discount given to AARP members. The current discount of 60% was reduced to the AARP level and the group felt that was a reasonable decision. I too wish we could wait and see if our shortfalls could be covered by other funding sources, yet we have been analyzing this situation for sometime now and unfortunately, we can no longer wait for other alternatives. You are correct in assuming a decrease in nonresident hunters and anglers. That factor was taken into consideration when developing the recommendations. Anytime user fees are increased, there is a certain amount of "resistance". Those resistance factors are all part of the overall package.

Thank you again for taking your time to read the report,

Ann LeClaire-Mitchell
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Division
Program Support Section Supervisor
(517)335-3641
leclaira@michigan.gov “
The senior license fees are what ticked me off!! Regular deer license fees show an increase of 100%, While the senior fee increased 400%. Fees for regular all species fishing increases 150%, while senior's increase 300 %.

Yeah, I can afford it, but it will probably mean the old guy across the street will either not hunt, or turn to poaching - he can't afford it. To me it is like loosing a rite of passage, like at 16 I can get a driver's license, at 21 I can vote (back in the day), at 65 I got a senior discount (I'm 65) on my hunting & fishing license.

Please note – the lady from the DNR left her email address – let her know your feelings

Thanks for letting an old fart blow off steam.