Hunters and anglers will see many changes if bill becomes law

Besides raising hunting and fishing license fees and setting the state's first wolf-hunting season, a large game and fish bill expected to be signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton this week contains numerous other provisions affecting hunters and anglers.

It also:

• Clarifies the laws prohibiting baiting of deer and tightens penalties: A person convicted of hunting deer with bait would lose their license for one year -- or two years if the deer scored more than 170.

• Adds a $4 application fee for bear hunting licenses.

• Allows motorized waterfowl and dove decoys to be used with wireless remote controls.

• Allows the DNR to provide areas -- probably large lakes -- where waterfowl hunters wouldn't have to be concealed in vegetation, meaning they could use layout boats. Minnesota is one of the few states that hasn't allowed open-water waterfowl hunting.

• Removes a requirement that all portable ice shelters must have the name of the owner displayed, as long as anglers are either in or within 200 feet of it.

• Adds two weeks of winter fishing for stream trout within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

• Directs the DNR to launch activities to recruit new outdoor recreational participants, including youth, women and minorities.

• Prohibits the DNR from using revenue from game and fish licenses and permits, excluding stamps, to acquire land.

• Requires the DNR to conduct hunter-satisfaction surveys.

• Allows landowners donating land to the DNR to stipulate in the deed that it can't later be sold.