License a refrigerator box ?

[Chuck Pederson MN]

I was reading Feb 1 Outdoor News about the boxing protest on Rainy Lake. I don't have a problem paying $12.50 for my portable shelter license, for a resident Mn. It does seem when we try to promote winter tourism that we get $34.00 for an out of state license when ND. and SD. are no charge. I gladly pay my $65.00 for out of state SD license and I'm glad they don't charge me $34.00 to fish out of my boat. The protest is on March 2-- any other thoughts on this ?

[tj1n]

What is the purpose for the shelter license, outside of just registration? I agree, this is the perfect way to keep all of our out of state dollars OUT~ As there is absolutely no way I'm gonna pay MN $34 extra to take my shanty on their ice.....That's a JOKE!

I should'nt pay any larger registration than anyone else. I agree the out of state license should be higher.

Travis J.

[KP]

Is this Chuck Pederson of API?

[Chuck Pederson MN]

Don't know about API I'm just an avid walleye guy and when I read about the protest I thought was interesting. Wisconsin North and South Dakota and Ontario don't license portable shelters. The DNR says they estimate $500,000. in revenue from portables But they must pull that number out of the air because the license doesn't differentiate between portables or permanent shelter. Maybe they count them like snow geese. Anyway they are hoping for a large turn out, guys with plastic bag and cardboard shelters not licensed to raise awareness.

[Steve]

I would be willing to bet that they are saying all shelters are portable. They have to be in order to be placed and removed from the ice. so...I would feel that the $500,000 is for all ice shelters, portable or not.

I honestly don't think we should charge any more than the $12.50 for any shelter...resident or not. I don't mind paying the fee...as long as the money goes for conservation or environmental situations. I do know that minnesota seems to always be lacking in DNR funding (why I don't know) and I can only HOPE that the money we put in for licenses goes back into preservation.

Steve

[Chad]

The fee is one reason I have not fished in MN this year. I live in Fargo and drive and hour further into ND rather then an hr into MN.
I maybe go out 2-3 times and to pay $34 for two outings is tough.

[Borch]

If your gonna be fishing in those card box boxes in MN you'll be sited. Had a freind of mine who got written up for it just last year. He couldn't beleive that a cardboard freezer box was considered a shelter.

[Chuck Pederson MN]

I don't blame you Chad that is exactly why the protest. If they would just consider how much revenue would be generated from winter tourism by lowering or dropping the out of state fee but Jessie is always preaching common sence now we just need someone appointed or not who has fished before to get on it. I realize that the $500,000 is state spendable money who knows where that goes and they can't spend the millions that would come into resorts hotels,restaurants,ect. I think the courts will be backed up for a while if they start siting those guys. At the rate of this weather maybe they will have open water by then.