Hunting and Trapping in Parks and Trails

OCTOBER 2, 2017~REPASKEFWSP

Hunting and Trapping in Parks and Trails- The Wisconsin Legislature passed and Governor Walker signed into law ACT 168,  the Hunting Heritage Bill. A bizarre last-minute amendment included opening all State parks and trails to hunting & trapping.  The legislature handed off the rulemaking to the DNR’S Natural Resources Board (NRB). The NRB did the

right thing by shortening the proposed hunting/trapping season from 7 months to less than 2 months, while also minimizing trapping and taking most park acreage out of the hunting areas.

Many Wisconsin residents became engaged on this issue and contacted their legislators and NRB members. It was a victory for park enthusiasts, who made their voices heard during this contentious process. Diverse user groups including, hikers, skiers, bikers, birders, equestrians, scouts, and others rallied to support traditional state park use.

There are over 7 million acres of huntable land in Wisconsin, compared to 100,000 acres of state parks. Over 50% of Wisconsin residents consider themselves park and trail users, while 23% of residents hunt. Currently, 97-98% of state lands are open to hunting and trapping out of 1.6 million acres. Wisconsin lawmakers have taken away the only safe place for people to recreate and enjoy wildlife without risk of pets being shot or killed/injured in a trap.

FWSP recommends that hunting in state parks is based on science and prescription, not politics.