1-6-14 Warden Wire: FAQs: Bow hunt, trapping, LIVE Tuesday ice fishing online chat
Frequently Asked Questions - January 6, 2014
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: I recently completed trapper education. Do I also need to complete hunter safety if I want to possess and use a firearm to dispatch trapped animals?
Answer: Although completion of a hunter education course is not required to dispatch lawfully trapped animals with a firearm, it is strongly encouraged. Also keep in mind that a license authorizing trapping does not give any special permission to possess/use a firearm if an individual would otherwise be restricted from doing so (e.g. convicted felon); age and mentoring or accompanying requirements would also apply (for more information, visit dnr.wi.gov; keywords: ‘mentored hunting’).
Further, although the use of a firearm is required to dispatch trapped wolves, certain species of trapped furbearers cannot be dispatched with a firearm (mink, muskrat, fisher, and otter). View the current trapping regulation pamphlets for more information:
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/trap/regulations.html
Question 2: Is it legal to bow hunt on a lake when it is frozen?
Answer: Generally, there is no DNR rule prohibiting hunting deer or small game other than waterfowl while out on the ice of a frozen lake. Hunting waterfowl is a bit different. In the case of waterfowl, if the hunter is not within 3 feet of emergent natural vegetation which extends above the surface of the water/ice and which provides 50 % concealment, then they cannot hunt with the aid of any blind or device that provides concealment. In addition, a person must have a legal right to be on the ice of that lake, has gained access to the lake lawfully, and is not discharging a bow or crossbow in violation of any local ordinance that might prohibit the discharge for public safety reasons. If the person shoots game from the ice of the lake, they cannot pursue that game or recover dead game onto the adjacent lands without permission of the landowner if the land is not public land open to hunting.
Question 3: Where can I learn more about ice fishing along the Mississippi River?
Answer: Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7, conservation wardens and DNR fish biologists will be online at noon to take your questions about the many fishing opportunities along the more than 200 miles of Mississippi River bordering Wisconsin. This should be fun, informative and entertaining. The live chat begins at noon. It is very easy to participate. Just go to dnr.wi.gov, and look for the box on the right to enter the chat, or search the phrase "Ask the experts." Or join the conversation on the DNR Facebook page, www.facebook.com/WIDNR, by clicking the "Cover it Live Chat" box on the top of the page. If your Tuesday gets too busy during the noon hour to get online, you can read the transcript later at your convenience. To find the transcript, just go to dnr.wi.gov and look for the "Ask the Experts" link on the main page under Popular Links. Open that and you'll see the Mississippi River chat.
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.