Cam Cavitt

ALPENA — The Michigan Legislature has proposals up for consideration that could affect hunters and anglers across the state.

In her proposed budget, Michigan Gov.Gretchen Whitmer has proposed increasing the cost of hunting and fishing to generate funds for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as part of her 2027 budget recommendation.

These increases would generate approximately $29.4 million for the DNR.

According to The Detroit News, Whitmer’s budget proposal calls for increasing the annual Michigan resident fishing licenses from $26 to $30, annual nonresident fishing licenses from $76 to $90, and resident deer hunting tags from $20 to $25.

In 2025, Whitmer tried to raise license fees in her proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, as well, though the Michigan legislature never approved the hikes.

Michigan House of Representative Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, said that he would not be in favor of Whitmer’s fee increases because of how the DNR manages its money.

“The DNR has money that’s outside of the legislative purview, all over the place,” Cavitt said. “It’s supposed to have oversight. Money is supposed to come through the people’s house or the legislature.”

Michigan Senator Michelle Hoitenga, R-Manton, mirrored Cavitt’s position on the issue and said that she would not be in support of the governor’s proposal citing frustration with DNR and the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) policies.

“I do not support the governor’s proposed increase in license fees. The hunting and fishing communities are rightly frustrated with DNR and NRC policies, which have contributed to a decline in participation,” Hoitenga said. “Given that Michigan has a long-standing user-pay system, the state should seek alternative solutions to address any funding gaps for the DNR. Until hunters see a tangible return on their investment, we risk losing even more participants.”

Cavitt also noted the decline in hunting and fishing as a possible reason why the DNR might not bring in as much revenue from licences. He cited DNR policies which make it more difficult to participate in outdoor activities.

“One could argue that it’s gotten so difficult to try and hunt,” Cavitt said. “People don’t know the rules … you can’t go here, you can shoot there, you can’t shoot this, you can’t shoot that. People just unfortunately don’t have the time and we’re falling away from those kinds of outdoor traditions.”

In Alpena County, there was a 14% decline in harvested antlerless deer and a 7% decline in overall deer harvested from the 2024 to 2025 deer hunting seasons.

Montmorency County saw a decline in 2025 across the board, which included a 14% decline in harvested antlered deer and a 10% decline in harvested antlerless deer. Overall, there was a 12% decline in total deer harvested in Montmorency County from 2024 to 2025.

Alcona and Presque Isle counties also saw declines in harvested deer numbers, though not as steep as Alpena and Montmorency counties. Harvested antlered deer numbers in Alcona County fell by 7% while harvested antleress deer numbers fell by 6%.

House Bill 4445: Lifting the baiting ban

Cavitt voted in favor of House Bill 4445 (HB 4445) on Feb. 4 which proposes to lift the ban on deer baiting during the Michigan deer hunting season across the state.

According to HB 4445, the bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) and would define deer or elk baiting as the depositing, distributing, or tending of feed in an area frequented by wild, free-ranging white-tailed deer or elk to aid in the taking of deer or elk.

The bill states that deer baiting and deer feeding are currently banned in the Lower Peninsula on both public and private lands by Natural Resources Commission (NRC) order, although eligible hunters may qualify for an exemption. Deer baiting can occur in the Upper Peninsula from Sept. 15 to Jan. 1 if hunters adhere to limitations on the amount and spacing of bait.

Cavitt said that he voted in favor of the amendment to lift the baiting ban because his constituents are largely in favor of lifting the ban. He added that baiting is so widespread in Michigan despite the ban that he believes that the law needs to be changed.

“When a law becomes a law and enough people aren’t paying attention to the law … that tells you something’s wrong with the law and it needs to be adjusted,” he said. “Go to any gas station and they’re selling bait.”

In a statement, Hoitenga also mirrored Cavitt’s position on the baiting ban amendment, saying that she has historically been in favor of lifting the ban in Michigan.

“I have been a strong advocate for ending the bait ban,” Hoitenga said. “In 2018, I successfully advanced legislation to lift the ban, but it was vetoed by Governor Whitmer.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.