...plans for hunting and trapping in state parks

WGA Member Joined: 2009-08-17 Posts: 126

Natural Resources Board listening sessions set
on plans for hunting and trapping in state parks
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=2538

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:21 pm

As non-hunters who love to hike through State Parks after tupperware in the Fall, Winter and Spring, why does this give us a bad feeling? We admit we don't know all the facts...................... This notice appears at odds with our local newspaper, which stated that Act 168 expands hunting and trapping on all state parks AND TRAILS....perhaps it is to all state lands, in general.

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:03 pm

As a hunter for over 40 years articles like this always give me concern. Non hunters and hunters alike need to respect each other and often we forget that. I respect the non hunter viewpoint and may disagree but I would never force my activity down their throats. This is looked at as an issue that can be interpreted as such which isn't good.

As a factual side note to this, if hunting is opened on these lands, the non hunter should recognize that their movement around these lands during a season aids the hunter. There are numerous times that a hunter kills their quarry after someone has moved or pushed the animal that the hunter may never have seen otherwise. When hunting, I welcome the fact that someone has just passed through an area I'm in. The animal will often double back or circle around exposing themselves to the hunter. Something for non hunters to think about.

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:59 pm

I would say that I spend most of my caching time in areas open to hunting (state recreation areas and state forests) and have never had a problem. I do stay away the week of Thanksgiving (too many drunks and "once in a while" hunters), but other than that I've never had a problem. Just pick up an orange hat or vest and you will be fine. You are probably more likely to get attacked by a bear than to get shot by a hunter looking for waterfowl, small game, or pheasants. The deer hunters do worry me a bit, but the amateurs go back to their couches after the first week or so.

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:14 pm

Us hunters are the one's with the weapons. Shocked

Just saying. Shocked

And all tongue in cheek, but certainly something to think about. As both a hunter & cacher, I certainly see both sides of this. Hunters like cachers come in various flavors and what seems "their right" may certainly infringe on what the other thinks is "their right".

Blaze orange is definately a great recommendation. I've cached on public lands during the bow season and have accidently walked right up to hunters in their stands. Best approach is to silently acknowledge them and just keep moving about your business. From a hunter's perspective, don't stop to have a conversation - just keep on moving.

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:14 pm

For us, state parks have always been refuges to enjoy during the deer gun hunting season, even pre-caching, and some parks already have hunting areas in them, and we stay clear of those parks or those areas during hunting season. The law seems to declare all state park land open for hunting, with a few exceptions, and then it's up to the park managers to "appeal" to have areas removed from this sweeping declaration. We will have to wait to see just how many of the park managers' requests for exemptions are approved by the DNR before passing judgment on the wisdom of this new law.

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 10:55 pm

Team Deejay and CodeJunkie both make valid and accurate points. There are hunters out there that give the sport a bad name and they often are nowhere to be found after the opening weekend. After that you will find a group that is much more serious about their sport. They often will spot you way before you spot them and will raise a hand or quietly signal you to let you know they are there. Blaze orange is the best choice but a good hunter will recognize any bright color that doesn't belong. In 40+ years of hunting, I have seen way to many non-hunters in earthtones in the woods. Brown and tan are way too common. The nice thing about blaze colors (those yellow safety vests also work) is that they are easy to see from a long distance. I have often spotted a strip of orange survey tape from a very long distance while walking the woods.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3258

I have heard of hunting accidents involving other hunters getting shot.

Has anyone ever heard of a non-hunter getting shot by a hunter?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:51 am

gotta run wrote:

I have heard of hunting accidents involving other hunters getting shot.

Has anyone ever heard of a non-hunter getting shot by a hunter?

There have been 4 non-hunter incidents in WI in the past 3 years. Maybe, all cachers should be required to take this course like this: http://host.madison.com/news/local/class-aims-to-help-non-hunters-stay-safe-on-the/article_f783720a-1320-11e2-9690-001a4bcf887a.html

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:03 pm

Here is the map of the proposed lands opening up to hunting

http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=2542

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 6:10 am

When I first looked at these maps, I thought "They are allowing hunting in the campgrounds???" Then I saw the legend, where the grey area equals closed. The few I looked at all seem to have limited hunting to the rarely used areas. (We are the rare users!)

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:41 am

STATE ICE AGE TRAIL AREAS [Through sweetlife's link, above - (thanks!)]

This appears new, at least for some areas, as the overarching description states: "Some SIATAs are proposed to be open for hunting and trapping".

May have been some areas open before, as do recall passing under a bow hunter a few years back, sitting in a tree over-hanging the trail, likely in Oct/Nov:

--------------------------------------------------------
'ALL STATE ICE AGE TRAIL AREAS ARE CLOSED TO HUNTING AND
TRAPPING FROM THE FRIDAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MEMORIAL
DAY THROUGH OCTOBER 14, AND YEAR AROUND FOR 100 YARDS
ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE ICE AGE TRAIL.
Hunting and trapping is allowed in State Parks, including State Ice Age
Trail Areas, from October 15 through the Thursday immediately preceding
Memorial Day weekend. Trapping is not permitted within 100 yards of any
designated use area, including trails that are not the Ice Age Trail.
See reverse for more information.'

WGA Member Joined: 2009-08-17 Posts: 126

I copied the following from another website that I monitor:

On April 8, 2013, at 7:00 pm there will be a WCC hearing held in each county. These hearings, called the spring hearings, include advisory voting on hunting and fishing rule changes proposed by DNR and a set of WCC advisory questions.
The locations of the April 8th spring hearings: http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2013/2013locations.pdf
The Ballot containing all the questions being voted on can be found here: http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2013/2013SpringQuestionnaireFinal

QUESTION 70. Hunting/ trapping in state parks
70. Would you support expanding the hunting opportunities in state parks from the plan approved by the Natural Resources Board to the plan proposed by the DNR?
70. YES____ NO_____
Wisconsin Act 168, Known as the “Sporting Heritage Act”, established that state parks would be open for hunting and trapping, unless parks or portions of parks are closed by the Natural Resources Board to protect public safety or to protect unique plant or animal communities. In addition, the legislation prohibited hunting and trapping within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails.
The Natural Resources Board approved a modified proposal limiting hunting and trapping from November 15 – December 15, and from April 1 through the third spring turkey season, and allowed bow hunting from November 15 through the end of the deer archery season in early January.
The Department of Natural Resources developed a proposal to implement this law change that would have opened area of state parks for hunting and trapping from October 15 to the Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend for any seasons that were opening during this timeframe.
This legislation was introduced in response to a 2011 Wisconsin Conservation Congress advisory question that passed in all 72 counties for hunting, and in 71 of 72 counties to allow trapping in state parks.

WGA Member Joined: 2009-08-17 Posts: 126

I wish the above post was an April fools joke, but...