As many of you know the Wisconsin DNR has been holding public meetings all over the state over the last few weeks to address starting the traditional gun season a week earlier, but still ending the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Thus, the season would be extended from 9 days to 16 days.
We recently attended a couple of these meetings in Madison & Ashland on Oct. 21 to get some insight on the matter. A short presentation was given by the DNR explaining how the plan would work. One of the big points that came from the presentation was that a number of the special hunts that take place throughout the bow season (i.e. early gun, muzzle loader and youth season) would be held over the same days. The other key point was that the longer gun season was not created by the DNR. The Natural Resources Board (NRB) appointed a Special Committee to explore and recommend effective hunter alternatives to the earn-a-buck (EAB) and this was the plan the committee selected. The DNR is simply collecting public input to aid in making a decision on the proposal. The only parts of the proposal to come from the DNR are a bonus buck incentive and the Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF) Teacher Convention hunt dates.
The majority of the meeting was spent with the public giving their testimony on record. During this time not a single person in the audience was in favor of moving the opener a week ahead and most stated they didn’t want the gun season longer than it is. Now we should point out that a majority of those who spoke were bow hunters. However, there were also turkey hunters, gun hunters and even some non-hunters who spoke and who were all in favor of leaving the gun season as is. We saw a lot of people who are very passionate about hunting and/or just being outdoors. The bow hunters don’t want to have another week of their season disturbed especially so close to the rut. They were happy to hear the idea of combing the special hunts though. The gun hunters want to keep the traditional opener as it coincides with the week of Thanksgiving and this allows them to take less time off from work. It’s also a tradition that they don’t want changed. The non-hunters don’t want to have another week of not being able to go outside and enjoy other aspects of the outdoors for fear of bullets flying around them. Most of the people who gave testimony also agreed on two other items. First, the state deer population is way down and the DNR needs to get a better grasp of it. (This links below are articles relating to the DNR’s herd population predictions and the public meeting held in Madison.)
http://www.channel3000.com/recreation/21391186/detail.html
http://www.channel3000.com/recreation/21391772/detail.html
Second, most people, although against EAB, would prefer it over the proposal.
Once the meetings had concluded and assuming the other meetings around the state went relatively the same way, it would come as a surprise if the DNR recommends following through with this proposal based on all of the negative feedback. Some major changes would have to take place within the proposal it would seem.
However, regardless of the topic or issue at hand (in this case hunting), keep in mind that when public meetings take place, there are generally 3 groups of people present. The people in group 1 are those presenting the information to the public. Group 2 are those people in the audience who are completely opposed to the issue at hand. Group 3 are those who come to the meeting to feed their curiosity and get some insight on the issue. You rarely get people who come to speak in favor of the issue. If any do show up they’re usually far outnumbered by group 2.
Speaking at the meeting wasn’t the only way to voice your opinion on the matter. The DNR is also conducted surveys and had a page on their website where the public could send their comments (until Nov. 3) to be included as testimony. There will be another chance for the public to give their input at the December NRB meeting where adoption of any proposed changes will be considered. If the NRB does adopt any changes, the legislative committees will review them early next year. These changes would then start during the 2010 hunting season and run for 2 years. After the 2011 season the DNR would evaluate the program to determine what affect the changes had.
No matter the outcome of what happens, you’ll never make everybody happy. However, we all need to do our best to help continue to improve the hunting experience for each other and future generations to come, and remember…there’s always time to be outdoors!
Your friendly APO staff
