FAQs: Guide-bear licenses, motorized decoys, electronic calls, deadlines
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Frequently Asked Questions - July 22, 2013
The Frequently Asked Questions features recent warden-related questions taken by wardens and the DNR Call Center. The Call Center is staffed daily, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., and offers bilingual service in Spanish and Hmong. The number is 1-888-936-7463.
Question 1: Is a person holding a valid Guide License required to have a Class B bear license to bait for an individual?
Answer: Yes, a guide license is needed in addition to any other required license. It never takes the place of any required hunting, fishing or trapping license or permits. This means if a guide also plans to carry a firearm, bow or crossbow to use for hunting while guiding, they also must have the appropriate hunting license. This is the same for fishing and trapping. It is illegal for any person age 16 or older -- unless they qualify as an assistant to a Disabled Hunter -- to engage in any of these activities with or without a firearm, bow or crossbow, unless the person holds either a Class B or a Class A bear license:
- Hunt bear.
- Assist a person in hunting bear by tracking bear, trailing bear or engaging in any other activity to locate bear.
- Bait bear.
- Train a dog to track bear, to trail bear or to otherwise engage in any activity that contributes to locating bear.
Question 2: Are motorized decoys legal to use in Wisconsin when waterfowl hunting?
Answer: Yes, motorized decoys are treated the same as traditional decoys. Keep in mind that it is illegal to engage in migratory bird hunting when decoys are:
- Placed beyond 200 feet from the blind or cover in which the hunter is located.
- Placed in the water more than one hour before the open hunting time.
- Left in the water more than 20 minutes after the close of hunting time.
- Left in the water unattended.
Question 3: When waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin, can I use electronic calls?
Answer: No, you may not. If you want the long answer, here it is. It is illegal to hunt migratory birds by the use of -- or the aid of -- recorded or electrically amplified bird calls. It is also illegal to hunt migratory birds by the use of sounds or imitations -- or while in possession -- of any type of device that produces recorded or electronic amplifications of bird calls or sounds.
Question 4: When do the antlerless deer tags become available to purchase for regular units?
Answer: August 17 at 10 a.m.
Question 5: What is the next deadline for my applications?
Answer: August 1.
- Fall turkey hunting applications due.*
- Deadline to apply for goose hunting permits for the Horicon zone.*
- Deadline to apply for wolf, bobcat, fisher and otter permits.
- Deadline to apply for Upriver Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season.*
- NOTE: 2013 Sharp-tailed grouse season and permits have been suspended.
If you have information regarding natural resource violations, please call: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay reported information to conservation wardens. Anyone who calls the Violation Hotline or provides information can remain anonymous.