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."

Personally, I think it sounds like a good idea. What's $1 or even $5 in the grand scheme of things, especially if you're helping out someone less fortunate, making the government happy so they stay off our backs and don't hire sharpshooters to kill every deer they see, and having the opportunity to harvest additional deer and thin the herd without having to worry about what you're going to do with the meat/processing costs. Seems like a win-win all around.

Iowa has a similar program that I think is great! I think it really helps to give hunters a good name!

Both PA and NJ have these programs. It works out well if you have a property that you need to remove does from and you already have a full freezer. It's also nice to help others out doing something you love. I think it's a great program.

Sounds like a great idea to me. If I were going to hunt there, I'd have no problems paying the extra fee for a worthy cause. After all, what's another $5.00 (like Justin said) when I've spent so much on toys for this addiction?

I agree with you that it's a great cause. And I personally have no problem paying the $1 plus.

I am more on the line about our state government telling us we have to do something like this in general. Mandating it. Requiring it. I know that some would argue well then no one will pay it or actually make a donation on their own. And there is some validity to that.

But I guess its just the principle of another fee/tax being imposed on me by the "Nanny" state I live in that causes me to ponder, what's tomorrow?

I've emailed our conservation department several times asking them to raise the cost of tags 50 cents or a buck and set that money aside STRICTLY to pay for the processing of donated deer. We have a Share the Harvest program here in MO, and while they reimburse $25, it doesn't come close to the overall cost of processing. I would be in favor of it.

Sounds like a good deal!!!!!

Sounds like a good idea! I wouldnt mind paying an extra dollar or two

sounds like a good program