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     In the wake of the new DNR Wolf Management Plan, hound hunters have been pressuring lawmakers to overrule the DNR on several of their decisions concerning wildlife conservation. SB 545/AB 512, Relating to: hunting wild animals with the aid of a dog, dog training on wild animals, and dog trialing on wild animals in the northern portion of the state, is another of these Really Bad Bills.

     AB 512, Relating to: hunting wild animals with the aid of a dog, dog training on wild animals, and dog trialing on wild animals in the northern portion of the state was introduced into the Senate on October 18 , 2023, by Representatives Green, Bodden, Brooks, Edming, Magnafici, Mursau and Schmid, and cosponsored by Senators Quinn, Jacque and Tomczyk and . It was referred to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. A public hearing was held on 12/5. In an executive session on 1/17/24, the Committee voted 7 - 4, along party lines, to forward to the full legislature with passage recommended. The Assembly has passed the bill and messaged it to the Senate, where it PASSED by a voice vote on February 13.

     Its companion bill, SB 545, Relating to: hunting wild animals with the aid of a dog, dog training on wild animals, and dog trialing on wild animals in the northern portion of the state was introduced into the Senate on October 23, 2023, by Senators Quinn, Jacque and Tomczyk and cosponsored by Representatives Green, Bodden, Brooks, Edming, Magnafici, Mursau and Schmidt. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, and ia public hearing was held on Wed, Dec 6. On 1/5/24, the Committee voted 3/2 along party lines to recommend passage, and the bill is now available for scheduling in the full Senate for a vote. We expect quick action to pass this, again, along party lines.

     "This bill repeals a current Department of Natural Resources administrative code provision that generally prohibits a person from hunting or pursuing any free-roaming wild animal with the aid of a dog from May 1 to June 30 in a portion of the state north of certain east-west highways. The bill also repeals DNR administrative code restrictions on dog training and dog trialing on any free roaming wild animal in that area and during that period."

      WE STRONGLY OPPOSE this bill that would once again circumvent wildlife experts in the WI DNR, to put WI wildlife at the mercy of politicians and special interest groups. It would essentially remove protections put into place for bear and wolf cubs during the whelping season, thus creating the potential for more wolf/ hound conflicts.

Bill Summary (by the Legislative Reference Bureau):

     "This bill repeals a current Department of Natural Resources administrative code provision that generally prohibits a person from hunting or pursuing any free-roaming wild animal with the aid of a dog from May 1 to June 30 in a portion of the state north of certain east-west highways. The bill also repeals DNR administrative code restrictions on dog training and dog trialing on any free roaming wild animal in that area and during that period."

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

     General guidelines for contacting your representatives: Try to keep your message brief, and be sure to give your name, complete mailing address, and phone number. Let your representative know that you are a constituent. Please, ALWAYS be polite and respectful. Name-calling, and rude or abusive letters or emails will hurt, rather than help, our cause.

• AB 512 IS NOW ON THE GOV.'S DESK!

  AB 512/SB 545, which would REPEAL rules set in place by the DNR to limit bear and wolf conflicts with hounds during whelping season IS NOW ON GOV. EVER'S DESK! PLEASE CONTACT GOV. EVERS TO VETO AB 512/SB 545 TODAY!

  NOTE: Please make sure that the bill numbers are in the order listed above, or just mention AB 512, since this is the version that has gone to the Governor!

  All you really need to say is, "I am a constituent, and I am asking you please to VETO AB 512/SB 545, Relating to: hunting wild animals with the aid of a dog, dog training on wild animals, and dog trialing on wild animals in the northern portion of the state." You can also add that "AB 512/SB 545 would REPEAL rules set in place by the DNR to limit bear and wolf conflicts with hounds during whelping season and endanger ground-nesting birds, wolf and bear cubs, and the dogs themselves." (Scroll down this page for more info on the bill and Talking Points, if you need them, and, as always, please keep your tone polite and respectful.)

  Since Gov. Evers has no public email address, the best way to reach him is through this form on his website: https://wi.accessgov.com/public/Forms/Page/governor/voice-an-opinion/. You will be asked for your name, address, phone # and email address, then there is a box to type in your message.

     Gov. Evers Voice An Opinion Form    

  You can also contact his Madison office by phone and leave a message: 1-608-266-1212. Again, you will be asked for your name, address, and contact info. If phoning, it's best to keep your message as simple as just asking the Gov. please to VETO AB 512, Relating to: hunting wild animals with the aid of a dog, dog training on wild animals, and dog trialing on wild animals in the northern portion of the state.

  If you prefer to write a paper letter, P.O. Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707. Please be sure to give your first and last name, street address, city, state and zip and, as always, please keep your tone polite and respectful.

Once again, the supporters of this bill will be VERY vocal. We are hoping that those who wish to leave the management of WI wolves in the hands of experts at the DNR will be even MORE vocal. Try to keep your message brief, and be sure to give your name, complete mailing address, and phone number. Once again, we ask that you voice your concerns in a polite and respectful manner -- remember, name-calling, and rude or abusive language, will hurt, rather than help, our cause.

• Please see our Talking Points for more resources.

    Find your WI State Representatives      What To Expect At A Public Hearing   

Talking Points:

• WE STRONGLY OPPOSE AB 512/SB 545 which would once again circumvent wildlife experts in the WI DNR, put WI wildlife at the mercy of politicians and special interest groups, remove protections for bear and wolf cubs (as well as ground-nesting birds and other wildlife), create the potential for more wolf/ hound conflicts -- and make it more difficult for the DNR to prevent trespassing on private property.

• We believe that management of Wisconsin wildlife should be left up to the discretion of wildlife experts in the WI DNR, who are qualified to decide, on an area by area basis, where, when, and how hunting and training/ trailing of wild animals with dogs may be allowed-- instead of putting WI wildlife at the mercy of politicians and special interest groups.

• According to contacts at the DNR, these rules were set in place originally to limit bear and wolf conflicts with hounds during the time frame specified -- which is whelping season for both bears and wolves. In addition, "with larger tracks of land in northern WI there is a higher chance of trespassing to occur and this rule aids our wardens in regulating and restricting the likelihood of this."

• Assembly Committe on Sporting Heritage hearing materials

• Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage

    Bill Text      Bill History      Bill Summary   

   TAKE ACTION       Talking Points   

    Find your WI State Representatives   

    What To Expect At A Public Hearing