DNR spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearing to be held April 13
MADISON - On Monday, April 13, 2015, at 7:00 pm, there will be 72 public
hearings
[PDF]<http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2015/2015location
s.pdf>, one in each county where individuals interested in natural resources
management have an opportunity to provide their input by non-binding vote
and testimony on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to
fish and wildlife management in Wisconsin.
This year there are 112 questions that cover a broad array of statewide and
local proposed rules changes for state hunting, trapping and fishing rules,
as well as advisory questions from the state Natural Resources Board and
Wisconsin Conservation Congress. The complete 2015 Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources spring rules
hearings<http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2015/2015Sprin
gQuestionnaire.pdf> questionnaire is available for review online or at local
DNR service centers. Individuals without internet access may be able to view
the online questionnaire by visiting their local library.
County residents also have the option to run for a seat on the Wisconsin
Conservation Congress<http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/>, or elect other
delegates from their county to represent their county views regarding
natural resources on the Conservation Congress. The Wisconsin Conservation
Congress is officially recognized as the only advisory body in the state
where citizens elect delegates to represent their interests on natural
resources issues on a local and statewide level to the Natural Resources
Board and the Department of Natural Resources.
Individuals will also have the opportunity to bring forth new conservation
ideas or issues to the attention of the Conservation Congress through the
citizen resolution process.
Given the large number of questions this year, people interested in
attending the hearings are encouraged to review the questionnaire online
prior to the April 13 hearings and should arrive at the hearing location
early to register before the hearings begin at 7:00 pm.
The fisheries questions relate to season, bag limit, and length limit
regulations, including:
* expanding inland trout seasons and reducing the number of special
regulations;
* changing panfish bag limits on 100 lakes to improve panfish average
size; and
* removing or modifying dates and boundaries on 51 fish refuges.
Wildlife questions include:
* expanding the areas where waterfowl hunting;
* increasing the limit on the number of small game animals a person is
allowed to possess;
* establish a 9 a.m. opening time on the first day of the pheasant,
quail, Hungarian partridge, and southern rabbit seasons; and
* modifying the spring wild turkey hunting season opening date, among
other rule changes.
Meeting results, along with written comments on the evening's questions and
DNR recommendations are used to advise the state Natural Resources
Board<http://dnr.wi.gov/about/nrb/>. Votes are non-binding and are presented
to the Natural Resources Board as advisory. The 2015 spring rules hearing
questionnaire
[PDF]<http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2015/2015SpringQu
estionnaire.pdf> is available by searching the DNR
website<http://dnr.wi.gov/> at dnr.wi.gov for keywords "Spring
Hearings<http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/springhearing.html>."
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kari Lee-Zimmermann, DNR/ Conservation
Congress liaison, 608-266-0580 or Bill Cosh, DNR spokesperson, 608-267-2773