Warden Wire: FAQs - Antlerless permits; Personal watercraft rules
h2>Frequently Asked Questions - July 16, 2012
Here are answers to some recent most frequently asked law enforcement questions taken by 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: When are the antlerless permits going on sale? How many are available?
Answer: Antlerless deer permits will go on sale on Saturday, August 18 at 10am. The availability is listed on our website: http://dnr.wi.gov/Permits/bonusavailability.html
Question: What are the requirements to drive a personal watercraft – also called a PWC?
Answer: Here are the requirements:
- Anyone who was born on or after January 1, 1989, and who is age 12 or older is required to take a boater education course before they may operate a PWC.
- No person under 12 years of age may operate a personal watercraft.
- PWCs may not be operated from sunset to sunrise, not even if they display lights.
- The user must be wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
- The craft must have an engine cutoff switch activated by a lanyard which is in good working order and the lanyard is attached in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer to the operator or the operator's clothing or personal flotation device.
- You may not rent or lease a PWC if you are under the age of 16.
- No person may operate a personal watercraft at a speed in excess of slow-no-wake within 200 feet of the shoreline of any lake.
- No person may operate a personal watercraft at a speed in excess of slow-no-wake within 100 feet of any other boat.
- The user may not operate a PWC while facing backwards.
- No person may operate a personal watercraft within 100 feet of any of the following: A motorboat towing a person who is engaged in water skiing, aqua-planing or similar activity; the tow rope of a motorboat towing a person who is engaged in water skiing, aqua-planing or similar activity; and, a person who is engaged in water skiing, aquaplaning or similar activity.
- The PWC must be properly registered.
- The PWC must have a fire extinguisher on board.
- The user may not be under the influence of intoxicants or controlled substances.
- Absolute sobriety required if under age 21.
New or Featured DNR Subscriptions
Outdoor Report: Current fishing activities, wildlife observations, and state park events updated every Thursday.
Subscribe to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine for $8.97.
Problems with the subscription service? Contact support@govdelivery.com.