Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Monday

January 25, 2010

Bill would put bids on bear, elk licenses

By MEGAN DURISIN

LANSING -- A new bill would increase hunting opportunities by annually auctioning off five bear and elk licenses.

Rep. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, the primary sponsor and vice chair of the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee, said the aim is two-fold.

"We're trying to find a way to help lower the licensing fees for those in state," Stamas said. "We're also trying to promote the state and the hunting aspect of Michigan."

Money raised from the auction would go into the state's game and fish protection account.

Stamas said the auction would be open to both state and out-of-state hunters. Currently, elk hunting licenses are available only to Michigan residents.

"More hunters apply for bear and elk than there are licenses available each year," Stamas said, and he would like to keep in-state fees low.

Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, chair of the committee, said he doesn't believe there will be sufficient support for the bill.

"The vast majority of the hunting crowd don't like the idea of auctioning off licenses to the highest bidder with the most money," Sheltrown said, "especially in Michigan where there are lots of struggling families."

Richard Smith, a member of the Michigan Bear Hunters Association from Marquette, said bear hunters don't support the bill, either. Smith said the association favors the current licensing system, and he opposes elk licenses being auctioned to out-of-state hunters.

"Michigan bear and elk belong to residents of the state and are supposed to be managed for residents of the state," Smith said.

Dave Nyberg, a lobbyist with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, said MUCC opposes the auction of big game species hunting licenses.

"Selling permits to the highest bidder is an issue MUCC does not support," Nyberg said.

The DNRE uses a lottery system to issue elk licenses. For every year hunters unsuccessfully apply for a license, they receive an additional "chance" for the following years. Applicants who win a license aren't allowed to apply for another elk license for at least 10 years. Bear license applicants also get a preference point for each year they fail to draw a kill tag.

Nyberg said MUCC has asked government officials to promote hunting and fishing more heavily in the Pure Michigan advertising campaign.

The proposed bear and elk license auction would not be the first time Michigan has used a raffle to promote hunting.

DNRE spokeswoman Mary Dettloff said the department doesn't support the bill, either.

"The way we provide opportunities now for hunters gives everyone a fair shot," Dettloff said.

Bear licenses cost $15 for residents and $150 for non-residents. In the 2009 bear drawing, 39,169 eligible applicants applied for 11,473 bear licenses.

Elk licenses cost $100 and were much more limited, with a quota of 110 in 2009.

The bill is pending in the committee.

Megan Durisin writes for Michigan State University's Capital News Service.

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