From the Minneapolis Star Tribune...

Thoughts on paying what is essentially $5 extra for a non-resident license and $1 extra for each resident bonus tag?

It's peanuts in the grand scheme of things and it goes to a good cause. But I'm never one of government telling me I have to do something. I'd rather make a voluntary contribution. Regardless, I'll pay my dollar(s)!
Venison donation program signed into state law
The long-debated state venison donation program was signed into law last week. The goal is to encourage hunters to thin Minnesota's deer herd while also stocking state foodshelves.

Last update: May 12, 2007 – 4:04 PM

The long-debated state venison donation program was signed into law last week. The goal is to encourage hunters to thin Minnesota's deer herd while also stocking state foodshelves. [/align][/align]The program will pay venison processing costs of $70 per deer. Funding comes from a $5 surcharge on nonresident hunting licenses, which is expected to raise about $122,000. And for the first year, $160,000 from the state's general fund will be added to that. Also, Minnesota deer hunters will be asked when they buy their hunting license if they want to contribute $1, $3 or $5 to the program.

After the first year, the general fund money will be dropped and replaced with a $1 surcharge on bonus deer tags purchased by hunters. Those tags, which now cost $13, allow hunters to shoot additional deer in areas with high deer densities. Hunters will continue to be asked to voluntarily contribute to the program.

The original proposal called for a $1 surcharge to state deer licenses, a plan opposed by the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

"It's a compromise," Mark Johnson, executive director of the group, said of the final plan. "Now we have to work together to make it a successful program. We'll promote it."

Said Newell Searle of Second Harvest Heartland food bank: "This is a win-win on a lot of fronts. It makes hunters partners in providing food for people who aren't able to get enough of their own. We're excited."