I just found out there is a proposal at the Jan. 25 Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting to allow the placement of temporary tree stands and ground blinds overnight on state-managed lands north of Highway 64 in Wisconsin, from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31 for hunting purposes for a three-year trial period. The current rules say one has to take them down and out of the woods every night and put them up again the next day. This item is Board Order WM-02-16.
I am in favor of the proposed change in the state law for the following reasons:
Safety. It is extremely unsafe to try to put up these devices in the dark before legal hunting hours.
It is extremely cumbersome to haul these devices in and out of the woods each day.
It makes it even more difficult when you get older to do all of this activity daily.
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Douglas County has been allowing the overnight placement of temporary tree stands and ground blinds for many years - over 20 years-on forest crop land, with virtually no conflicts.
Douglas County supported this action by a resolution passed in March 2016.
The Douglas County Forestry committee supports this, by a letter from the director and Chairman Mark Liebaert.
The Fish and Game League of Douglas County went on recorded supporting this in 2016.
The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation went on record supporting this in 2016.
In meetings of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress in April 2016, this was supported by a majority - about 61 percent - of those who attended and voted.
I believe it will make for more enjoyable hunting situations in the Northland.
The Board will take public comment on this matter until Jan. 20 for the Jan. 25 meeting. I would urge you to send an email in support and adoption of Board Order WM-02-16, to allow overnight placement of tree stands and hunting blinds on Wisconsin state-managed lands.
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Email laurie.ross@wisconsin.gov or call 608-267-7420.
The agenda for the board is at dnr.wi.gov/About/NRB/2017/Jan/January-2017-NRB-agenda.html.
The public comment needs to be received by 11 a.m. Jan. 20 for the meeting.
