Spear-fishing and volunteer reward

A bill aimed at rewarding firearm safety instructors with a lifetime of deer hunting, and another that would eliminate slot limits on northern pike for winter spear-fishing were held over Feb. 23 for possible inclusion in the House Game, Fish and Forestry Division’s omnibus bill.

HF579, sponsored by Rep. Dave Olin (DFL-Thief River Falls), would give firearm safety instructors a lifetime deer hunting license after 30 years of volunteer service. This is the second time Olin has tried to pass such legislation; last year the threshold was 25 years. If allowed, nearly 300 instructors would immediately qualify for the lifetime license, valued at $383. That could short the Department of Natural Resources nearly $115,000 in anticipated revenue the first year it’s enacted.

Assistant DNR Commissioner Bob Meier said volunteers are rewarded in other ways, such as annual banquets and service anniversary gifts. The practice is consistent with other forms of instructor recognition programs, such as all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile safety instructors.

The bill’s companion, SF495, sponsored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), rests with the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

The other bill, HF621, is sponsored by Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township), who is looking to bring spear-fishing anglers into compliance with current regulations.

Anzelc said during the winter it’s nearly impossible to know for sure how large or small a pike is before spearing it and lifting it out of a hole in the ice. Once speared, it can’t be released. If it’s outside allowable measurement, the angler is non-compliant and subject to a fine. Although the number of lakes where spear-fishing is allowed is minimal (125), representatives of various fishing associations spoke against the bill. Last year, 15,000 spear-fishing licenses were sold.

A companion, SF631, sponsored by Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.