A Minnesota state park annual pass, now $25, would rise to $30, and the surcharge on boat registration fees — now $5 targeted to fight aquatic invasive species — would double to $10, under a Department of Natural Resources budget proposal by Gov. Mark Dayton.

The last park fee increase came in 2003.

DNR officials told legislators last week that both fee increases are needed. Erika Rivers, manager of the DNR's Parks and Trails Division, said that without the fee increase, the agency would have to cut 154,000 hours of cleaning, security and front-desk services.

"This would mean that we would have to go to summer-only camping in all but five or six of our highest used parks," Rivers told legislators. She said parks and trails funding has been flat during the past few years and hasn't kept up with increased costs. The proposed fee increase would bring in $2.3 million during the biennium.

Meanwhile, the state's 800,000 boaters would see the invasive species surcharge double. Officials say the additional money is needed in the continued fight against the spread of invasive species. If the Legislature approves the increase, it would generate about $1 million more the first year and $1.34 million per year after that.

Last call for deer comments

The DNR extended the comment period on deer populations in large portions of northeastern, north-central and east-central Minnesota to Feb. 20.

"We are giving people more time to mail or e-mail comments on deer populations during the 2015 deer goal-setting process," said Leslie McInenly, big game program leader. However, the last day to take the online questionnaire remains Thursday.

Deer population goals will be set for 40 of Minnesota's 128 deer permit areas in 2015. View a map of the goal-setting areas and take the questionnaire at www.mndnr.gov/deer.

New turkey hunters wanted

First-time turkey hunters — both youths and adults — have until Feb. 23 to apply for a mentored hunt this spring.

The DNR has expanded what was a mentored youth hunt to include adults, part of an ongoing effort to recruit hunters. Experienced National Wild Turkey Federation volunteers will mentor the hunters. Youth ages 12 to 17 will hunt April 18 and 19. Adults will hunt May 16 and 17. See www.mndnr.gov/hunting/turkey.

Doug Smith • 612-673-7667