An Open Letter to Michigan Sportsmen

The DNR expects the sportsmen to pick up the full tab on their looming budget deficit. Yet, they refuse to license and regulate operations guiding hunters on public land for elk, deer, turkey, bear, and bobcat. Guides don’t even need a hunting license (except bear over hounds, a participation license is needed). In fact, one individual operating as a guide was convicted of hunter harassment, losing hunting privileges for 3 years…and continued guiding hunters because a license is not needed.

The biggest windfall goes to commercial bear baiters. Their fees average $750 to $1,500 per week per bait. They often run 20 to 30 bait sites, or more, mostly on public land. Unlike other forms of guiding, commercial baiters seldom accompany the hunter. They just charge a fee to sit on their bait. So, they tend to have a lot more clients than regular hunting guides. It’s only fair a percentage of the profits from these operations go to the budget deficit. Makes more sense than charging a kid from a low-income family $40 for a fishing license!

Like any business…guides are SUPPOSED TO have a federal tax ID, pay state & federal income taxes, and business taxes. However, the DNR obviously believes they don’t need to license & regulate guiding business’…expecting them to comply and pay taxes due based on the honor system…a luxury no other industry is allowed.

Seems odd the DNR would opt not to seek revenue from the guiding industry during a budget crisis. It is also questionable…why the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is unwilling to regulate guiding activities on public land. Unethical guiding practices are obviously no concern.

Wisconsin licenses and regulates hunting guides…so, it can’t be too tricky.

R.W. Hare

Ontonagon, Mi