Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
HUNTING LICENSE FEE CHANGES
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 6229 as introduced Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Amos O’Neal http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism
and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 12-11-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 6229 would amend the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act
(NREPA) to make changes relating to hunting, fishing, shooting, and license types and fees.
Small game hunting
Small game hunting fees would increase as follows for the base fee:
• For a resident adult, from $10 to $15.
• For a resident minor, from $5 to $8.
• For a nonresident, from $150 to $163.
Limited small game hunting license fees would increase as follows:
• For the three-day nonresident limited license, from $50 to $75.
• For the seven-day nonresident limited license, from $80 to $120.
For each license year, the state treasurer would have to adjust these amounts by an amount
determined to reflect the cumulative percentage change in the Consumer Price Index from
December 1, 2024, to the December 1 immediately preceding that license year, rounded to the
nearest dollar.
Combination licenses
The bill would increase the fee for a resident combination hunting and fishing license from $75
to $113, and the nonresident combination license from $265 to $273. These fees would be
adjusted annually for inflation.
Wild turkey licenses
The bill would overhaul the provisions that govern the wild turkey hunt. The current fee model
would be eliminated and replaced with the following:
• The fee for a wild turkey hunting license would be increased from $15 to $23. (The
nonresident fee would be decreased from $69 to $23.)
• The nonrefundable fee for entering the wild turkey hunting license lottery would be
increased from $5 to $8.
• The bill would change the allocation of portions of the fees that go toward scientific
research, biology survey work on wild turkeys, creation and management of wild
turkey habitat on state land, national forest as follows:
o For a wild turkey hunting license, from $9.50 to $14.
o For a senior wild turkey hunting license, from $1 to $2.
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 6
 o For a wild turkey hunting application, the application fee, if any, up to a
maximum of $5 (currently a maximum of $3)
These license fees would be annually adjusted for inflation.
Waterfowl license
The fee for a waterfowl hunting license would be increased from $12 to $18. The bill would
also increase the specific portions of this fee that fund habitat improvements. Currently, $9 of
each fee goes to acquiring, restoring, and enhancing wetlands and other lands for the benefit
of waterfowl, and $1.93 of each license fee goes toward operating, maintaining, and developing
managed waterfowl areas in Michigan. The bill would increase the first allocation to $14 and
the second allocation to $3. License fees would be annually adjusted for inflation.
Pheasant license
The fee for a pheasant hunting license would be increased from $25 to $38. This fee would not
be adjusted for inflation. This section of NREPA is set to be repealed January 1, 2026.
Deer licenses
The fee for a deer hunting license or an antlerless deer hunting license would be increased from
$20 to $30. The nonrefundable fee charged for an antlerless deer license would also be
increased, from $5 to $8. Residents and nonresidents are eligible to purchase a second deer
license. For nonresidents, the fee for a second license would be increased from $170 to $195.
These fees would be annually adjusted for inflation.
Bear license
The bear hunting license fee would be increased from $25 to $38. The fee for a bear
participation license would be increased from $15 to $23. These fees would be annually
adjusted for inflation.
Elk license
Only a Michigan resident with a base hunting license may hunt elk. The bill would increase
the cost of the elk hunting license from $100 to $150 and increase the nonrefundable
application fee from $5 to $8. These fees would be annually adjusted for inflation.
Fur harvester’s license
A fur harvester’s license may only be purchased by an individual with a base hunting license.
The bill would increase the fur harvester’s license fee from $15 to $23 and remove a 50%
discount on this license type for a minor child aged 10 or older. These fees would be annually
adjusted for inflation.
All-species fishing license
The bill would increase this fee from $25 to $38 for residents and from $75 to $88 for
nonresidents and change the age threshold for which a license is needed from 17 to 16. These
fees would be annually adjusted for inflation.
24-hour and 72-hour fishing licenses
The 24-hour fishing license fee would be increased from $10 to $15. The bill would also newly
restrict its availability to residents only. The bill would allow nonresidents to obtain only the
House Fiscal Agency HB 6229 as introduced Page 2 of 6
 72-hour license, the fee for which it would increase from $30 to $60. These fees would be
annually adjusted for inflation.
Modify senior discount
NREPA offers senior licenses for base licenses, deer license, wild turkey hunting, and fur
harvesting. The fee of each of these is set at 60% less than the regular resident license fee.
Under the bill, the discount would be 25%.
Voluntary contribution
The bill would allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or its agent to ask an
individual if they would like make a voluntary contribution of $25 or more to the Conservation
Maintenance subaccount, which the bill would create under the Game and Fish Protection
account. The DNR would have to expend money in the subaccount, upon appropriation, for
costs associated with the maintenance and operation of conservation projects and associated
infrastructure.
Shooting and Education Fund
The bill would create the Shooting and Education Fund in the state treasury. The DNR could
charge a permit fee for the use of a state-owned shooting range, and any fees collected would
be deposited in the fund. The DNR could use money from the fund, upon appropriation, for the
operation and maintenance of state-owned shooting ranges and the administration of shooting
education programs.
Other amendments
The bill would also do all of the following:
• Lower, from 17 to 16, the maximum age for an individual to take an aquatic species
(other than an aquatic insect) without obtaining the necessary license.
• Increase the fee for a mentored hunting license from $7.50 to $11.
• Increase, from $1 to $2, an additional fee on base licenses for small game and to
individuals eligible for a senior discount, for combination hunt and fishing licenses as
well as all-species fishing licenses sold to individuals under age 17..
• Increase, from $1 to $2, the fee for a sport card (identification issued to an individual
applying for a license or permit who does not have a Michigan driver’s license or other
identification).
• Allow the DNR to charge a license or permit purchaser for any credit card or
commission fees incurred in a transaction.
MCL 324.43509 et seq.
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 6229 is likely to increase revenue for DNR by increasing the price of certain hunting
and fishing licenses. Most current license prices were set in 2013 PA 108. The precise extent
of this revenue increase is unclear at present, as current purchase rates and proposed percentage
price increases vary by license type. The department estimates an annual revenue increase of
$22.0 million. The chart below illustrates estimated annual revenue generated by the sale of all
hunting and fishing licenses over the last decade, which has ranged between $58.4 million and
$66.2 million.
House Fiscal Agency HB 6229 as introduced Page 3 of 6
 The chart below compares current license rates with rates proposed in the bill.
Hunting Licenses Current Proposed
Rate Rate
Base Hunting Licenses Note: Must purchase base license to buy any additional specific hunting
license tags; base license allows small game and non-waterfowl migratory bird hunting.
Base License; Resident $11.00 $17.00
Base License; Non-Resident $151.00 $165.00
Base License; Junior $6.00 $6.00
Base License; Senior $5.00 $13.25
Mentored Youth Hunt $7.50 $11.00
Small Game Nonresident 7-day $80.00 $120.00
Small Game Nonresident 3-day $50.00 $75.00
Sportcard $1.00 $2.00
House Fiscal Agency HB 6229 as introduced Page 4 of 6
Specific Hunting License Tags
Antlerless Deer $20.00 $20.00
Hunting License Application $5.00 $8.00
Bear Harvest $25.00 $38.00
Bear Participation $15.00 $23.00
Deer $20.00 $30.00
Deer Senior $8.00 $22.50
Elk (residents only) $100.00 $150.00
Fur Harvester $15.00 $23.00
Fur Harvester Senior Resident $6.00 $17.25
Pheasant $25.00 $38.00
Turkey $15.00 $23.00
Turkey Senior Resident $6.00 $17.25
Waterfowl State License $12.00 $18.00
Military (active duty and disabled veteran) $0.00 $0.00
Current Proposed
Fishing and Combo Licenses Rate Rate
24 hour Fishing License $10.00 Resident
$15.00
Nonresident
$20.00
72 hour Fishing License $30.00 $60.00
Resident All-Species Fishing License $26.00 $40.00
Resident All-Species Fishing License, Senior $11.00 $30.50
Non-Resident All-Species Fishing License $76.00 $90.00
House Fiscal Agency HB 6229 as introduced Page 5 of 6
 Current Proposed
Combination Hunting and Fishing Licenses Rate Rate
Resident: Base License, 2 Deer Licenses, All-Species Fishing $76.00 $115.00
License
Non-Resident: Base License, 2 Deer Licenses, All-Species $266.00 $275.00
Fishing License
Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses is credited to the Game and Fish
Protection Account, which primarily supports appropriations in the department’s Fisheries
Division, Wildlife Division, and Law Enforcement Division. A total of $80.6 million from the
fund is appropriated in the department’s FY 2024-25 budget. The bill is also likely to increase
departmental revenue by providing for the collection of a state-owned shooting range user fee
as well as voluntary contributions to a Conservation Maintenance Subaccount. The bill is
unlikely to affect departmental costs as DNR is already engaged in the collection of these
license and user-based revenues. The bill is also unlikely to affect local government costs or
revenues. The department’s FY 2024-25 budget totals $534.6 million Gross ($76.8 million
GF/GP) and 2,545.3 FTE positions.
Legislative Analyst: Josh Roesner
Fiscal Analysts: Austin Scott
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency HB 6229 as introduced Page 6 of 6


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.43509