DNR Seeks Higher Fishing, Hunting License Fees

They say they're alarmed a fund that supports fish and game programs and the conservation officers that enforce regulations is headed for insolvency sooner than expected.

The Game and Fish Fund is projected to run out in mid-2013, about a year earlier than Department of Natural Resources officials expected when they first proposed higher license fees a year ago. The money that goes into the fund comes from fishing and hunting license fees that haven't changed since 2001.

The DNR and sportsmen's groups say they hope the threat of deep cuts to programs important to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans will overcome some lawmakers' opposition to raising revenues.