Outdoor Groups Open To Fee Increases Suggested By DNR

Conservation groups say they’re willing to pay more to hunt, fish and even paddle to help the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources make up a budget deficit.

The DNR has proposed increasing fees for fishing and hunting licenses by $3 and $4 respectively in a report prepared for lawmakers. They’re also considering dropping discounts to close a $5 million deficit. State lawmakers have to OK the changes but conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited support paying more.

Ducks Unlimited Spokesman Chris Sebastian said they want habitat restoration work to be fully funded.

“It takes a lot of resources within the DNR to do these services, and we’re committed to working with other groups to try to find a solution to see what is the best way to close that gap, that funding gap,” Sebastian said.

The DNR reports hunting and fishing license sales declined between 2006 and 2015. License revenue dropped by more than $13 million.

Kayaking, canoeing and even paddleboarding could get more expensive in the state as well. The DNR report also suggested possible registration or launch fees for paddlers.

Jeff Mazanec of North East Wisconsin Paddlers said he’s generally supportive if money is used for docks and launches designed for paddlers. But at the same time he said a blanket registration fee for kayaks could be expensive for groups like his.

“We own nearly 50 kayaks and use them, really, for educational purposes. To maintain registrations on all those boats, that would be quite burdensome,” Mazanec said.

Aside from the revenue raising suggestions in the DNR report, Gov. Scott Walker has touted raising fees at state parks by anywhere from $5 to $10.