Attention WI Bear Hunters

[Nolte]

Just thought I would get some opinions on what is going on with Assembly Bill AB24. This is the bill that was going to expand some hunting opportunities in WI. It was sponsored by Rep Severson in the Milltown area.

These are the key points of the original bill;
Allows for a backup shooter
Allows training during kill season with kill tag
No back tag for Class B license
Exempts kids under 16 from having to buy a license (currently it is 12)
Creates a free hunting weekend in August to introduce new hunters to the sport without having to buy a training license.

There is now a current amendment that was introduced by Rep. Milory (South Range) and Rep. Bawley (Ashland) to allow bait sitters the first 2 days every year. Currently bear hunting starts the first Wed after Labor day. One year the hound hunters go first, while the next year bait sitters get first crack. This amendment does not remove that rotation BUT it allow bait sitters to hunt on Monday and Tuesday EVERY single year. So basically they will get the first chance every year.

Let's hear some opinions from WI bear hunters. I do not know where the WBHA stands on this. I might be alone on this, but I don't want to give the first 2 days to bait sitters every year. It is as fair as it can be the way it is.

[blackpaws]

i thought the way it was is fine. i think it was brought up that zone c would be open during kill season to hounds if the bait sitters could go first every year. also what happen to getting rid of the 6 dog limit?

[Nolte]

i think it was brought up that zone c would be open during kill season to hounds if the bait sitters could go first every year. also what happen to getting rid of the 6 dog limit?

There is nothing in the current bill or amendments that talk about opening up zone C in kill season or losing the dog limit. I will keep checking it to see if it comes up.

Update, I got in contact with Rep Severson and he indicated that this amendment was tabled and it looks like this bill will pass in original form. I'm still going to keep my eye on it.

[Jesse]

I agree with you, It is as fair as it can get now, so why mess with it.. I dont think the bait sitters should go first every year, their is way to many of them that spike others baits already, I dont know if you guys have this problem but every year they go first we have baits the week before kill season put in on top of ours.. Nothing we can do its national forest but to deal with that every year would get really old.. I have no problem with bait sitters, they have just as much rite to hunt bear as anyone else does but they shouldnt get first go at it every year..

[michigan_bearhunter06]

dont let those stink baiters get the first two days. Here they get the first FIVE everyyear. they usually get the cream of the crop after our hard work all summer long.

[Steve White]

This originally was introduced as AB24. It passed the assembly and moved to the senate. It is now SB72. There was a public hearing on the 26th. That is as far as it has gone so far. The bill still remains intact for the most part. Here is the overview from the legislature site.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues two
types of bear hunting licenses. A Class A bear license allows the license holder to
shoot and kill bear and to exercise the privileges of a Class B bear license. A Class
B bear license allows the license holder to assist a Class A license holder in pursuing
bear, to bait bear, and to train dogs to pursue bear (dog training); but it does not allow
the license holder to actually shoot at or kill bear.
This bill expands the privileges of a Class B bear license. The bill authorizes
the holder of a Class B bear license to shoot and kill a bear that was shot, but not
killed, by another hunter holding a Class A bear license in the same hunting party
if killing the bear is necessary to protect the safety of other members of the hunting
party or the public. The bill also allows the holder of a Class B bear license to pursue
a bear, provided that the holder of the Class B bear license does not shoot or kill the
bear, unless the public safety circumstances for killing a bear shot at by another
hunter apply.

This bill also requires DNR to allow a person who holds a Class B bear license
to engage in dog training during any part of an open season in which DNR allows a
Class A bear license holder to hunt bear with the use of a dog. The bill also eliminates
the requirement that holders of a Class B bear license attach a back tag to their
outermost garment when engaging in the activities authorized under that license.
Current law exempts a person who is under the age of 12 years and who engages
in the activities authorized by a Class B bear license from holding a Class B bear
license. This bill extends this exemption so that it applies to any person who is under
the age of 16 years. The bill also creates a new exemption that authorizes a person
to engage in the activities authorized by a Class B bear license without holding the
license during the third Saturday in August and the immediately following Sunday.



So there is nothing to change the current structure. Personally I would let them have the first week every year as has been proposed in the past. If it would shut them all up. I doubt it would happen though. They would still complain how dogs ruined the hunt. What's funny is the guys in MN can't complain about dogs. So they complain about all the other people in the woods. Always an excuse for a lack of success. Dogs normally get the first finger though!

[Nolte]

Personally I would let them have the first week every year as has been proposed in the past. If it would shut them all up. I doubt it would happen though. They would still complain how dogs ruined the hunt. What's funny is the guys in MN can't complain about dogs. So they complain about all the other people in the woods. Always an excuse for a lack of success. Dogs normally get the first finger though!

Steve,
You hit on all the points. Have you ever noticed how dog hunters NEVER complain about the baitsitters, we just accept that is the way it is. They get some nice bear in off years before we even get a crack at them and that's Ok. Just don't flip out when the opposite happens. We all basically hunt in each other's sandbox, so why get bent out of shape about it.

Heck, we've got bait stations that haven't moved more than 100 yards since the 70s. There has probably been 20+ generations of bear using them. These will even go dead when the right natural food source comes due in the Fall. It's just the way it is. When you can check 40 baits and have one hit overnight and maybe a few other tracks, well you better have a BIG horseshoe to have success as a bait sitter. It can happen, but I'd bet against it.

The majority of hound hunters are dog hunters first, who probably hunt other stuff when dog hunting is over. Most bait sitters are usually deer hunters who are filling the time until bowhunting starts.

[Rick Anderson]

I think it should stay the way it is, alternate every other year. I do have some reservations on the training during kill season. It can get hard enough some times to find a decent bear. If everyone is allowed to run during kill season, it will be that much harder. As it is, it goes on now, a group will just say they are hunting with whoever has the tag. Just my thoughts.
Rick

[CODY FANKHAUSER]

Don't kid yourselves boys, the bait sitters are out there hunting even when its not their season. Lets face it their way of hunting is nearly silent so how is anyone to know? We all have been outside and heard a single gun shot and not thought twice about it. Please correct me if you think I'm wrong but, I have never heard of someone getting pinched for bait sitting out of their season. The wardens and the public have their eyes on us not the occasional gunshot from a bait sitter..

As far as changing stuff:
No training during kill season, but I think training season should June 1. It would be better weather, easier on the dogs and another month of training. Then a person would not feel like your cheating your dogs out of a day of training by not hunting on those 95-100 degree days. If your dog is not doing it after 3 months of training season might be time to cut your losses, just sayin.... I would be willing to pay more for a chase permit to gain another month of training in a heart beat!!!

Just the thoughts of a bored man waiting for July 1!!!!! Is it here yet? how bout now? now? #$#@%$## get here already!!!!!

[nessplott2]

I would love another month of training season but there will be running during kill season without a tag before there will be another month added to training season.

[not color blind]

opening up zone C in kill season

I really hope that NEVER happens..

[scotty]

Why would you hope that never happens?????

[scotty]

We all run during training season. We deal with a multitude of bear hunters. I think the ones that dont want to allow training during season are either insecure or greedy, JMO

[not color blind]

Why would you hope that never happens?????

Here's my thoughts (for what they're worth ),

There is a fraction of the public land in zone C (compared to the zones that hounds are permitted for kill season). I think there would be a LOT of people that would start hunting in zone C (to save time, gas $, etc, not having to drive all the way up north).


Lots more people/hounds
+
A lot less public land
=
A lot more problems with private land owners



Which is bad "PR" for all hound hunters and COULD (in the long run), be the 'last dagger in the coffin' to put an end to all hound hunting for bears in the state.




PS. is it July 1st now?!

[mondomuttruner]

I,m with ya on that one Not Color Blind!!!!!!!!!!!