[loopy]

All the state parks are shut down and I am not going to a KOA.

Why does the park have to be open to use it?  Isn't the park by definition owned by the people?
So along the same lines as with this shutdown, if you fish without a license because you could not buy a license?  Do you get cited?
If your license plate is expired, and you cannot renew because they are shut down, do you get a ticket?
Do they only exist to tax you, and if so, who cares how long they stay shutdown?  

I think the longer they are shut down the better, because people may see exactly how little they actually provide in "service".

[phillamb168]

All the state parks are shut down and I am not going to a KOA.

Why does the park have to be open to use it?  Isn't the park by definition owned by the people?
So along the same lines as with this shutdown, if you fish without a license because you could not buy a license?  Do you get cited?
If your license plate is expired, and you cannot renew because they are shut down, do you get a ticket?
Do they only exist to tax you, and if so, who cares how long they stay shutdown?  

I think the longer they are shut down the better, because people may see exactly how little they actually provide in "service".

State Parks provide the same invaluable service as libraries - they give to any person an experience commonly left to those with money. The money spent at the parks goes to, among other things, grounds upkeep, electricity and water, cleaning, trail improvements, and flora and fauna management.

I don't know about fishing licenses, but when you buy hunting tags/pay for a hunting license for a season, one of the things you're paying for is a very complex monitoring system that's been put in place to control the population of critters. For an example of what happens when you don't have something like this in place (and enforced), see Buffalo. Oh wait, you can't anymore, unless you're in Wyoming. Know what I mean?

These taxes aren't just there to suck money from people - they serve a purpose. And going back to topic, the state taxes that BMC pay to distribute in each state are an integral (if not absolutely enormous) part of that state's budget.

[Slowbrew]

Fishing license fees mostly go to conservation efforts concerned with bodies of water and water ways.  They support hatcheries and restocking efforts in lakes and rivers.  In Iowa the fees also cover clinics to teach kids and adults how to fish and be safe while doing so.

I would assume that if you choose to fish without a license and get checked, you will get a ticket based on you knowing the possibility of a shutdown existed and didn't plan ahead.  That's not the DNR's problem.

Vehicle tags are probably a little different.  Although most would fall in the "you could have avoided this problem by renewing earlier" context also.

IMHO, YMMV

Paul

[Pawtucket Patriot]

Fishing without a license could get you a fine.  See here.

I haven't heard about about any incidents regarding vehicle tabs.

It's all pretty much moot now anyway though, since the Governor and the Legislature say they have a deal that will result in an enacted budget in a matter of days.  I'm not sure if MillerCoors has even begun to implement a plan to pull product from retailers shelves.  If they haven't, they should be in the clear now anyway.

[richardt]

For an example of what happens when you don't have something like this in place (and enforced), see Buffalo. Oh wait, you can't anymore, unless you're in Wyoming. Know what I mean?

Actually, they're American Bison. 

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Bison_vs_Buffalo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bison

And they can be found on many private farms and public parks throughout the North American plains, not just Wyoming. 
They're one of my favorite animals.  It is beautiful to watch a herd in a scenic setting.
Nonetheless, I get your point. Parks programs and animal/nature conservation are critical. 
Thank God for TDR and his use of the Forest Reserve Act of 1891 and the Antiquities Act of 1906. 

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Land+as+legacy%3a+20th+century+American+presidents+left+land+as+their...-a0132801743

[Kit B]

Last time I spent a night in a MN state park, it cost me over $65...
So much for "they give to any person an experience commonly left to those with money".

[phillamb168]

Last time I spent a night in a MN state park, it cost me over $65...
So much for "they give to any person an experience commonly left to those with money".

Jeez, that's ridiculous. Were you hauling a camper or something? I've never paid more than $15 for a state park campsite before.

[rbclay]

Last time I spent a night in a MN state park, it cost me over $65...
So much for "they give to any person an experience commonly left to those with money".

You must have paid for a camp site and a four-pack of Surly...

[boulderbrewer]

Just karma back a millercoors for the law that got past in Wisconsin, which stifles craft brewing.

[Kit B]

Jeez, that's ridiculous. Were you hauling a camper or something? I've never paid more than $15 for a state park campsite before.

Nope...I was tenting it.
In MN, you buy the MN State Park Vehicle Annual Permit Sticker = $25
Then, you pay for reservation fee = $8.50
Then you pay the amount for whatever site you're reserving...Standard site = $12 to $20 per night.
You want electric?  + $5 per night

[morticaixavier]

well so 25$ of that 65$ was an annual pass, unless you only go once you gotta amortize that. and who needs electricity when camping? kind of defeats the purpose to me. but that's just me.

[jaybeerman]

and who needs electricity when camping? kind of defeats the purpose to me. but that's just me.

No there's two of us.  But he uses a tent so you have to give him half credit for that. So two and a half of us

[Kit B]

well so 25$ of that 65$ was an annual pass, unless you only go once you gotta amortize that. and who needs electricity when camping? kind of defeats the purpose to me. but that's just me.

Ya...I got out a whole 2 times that year.
One of those times was at a private campground.
So, the $25 is still $25.