FAQs: Ag damage permits, native fish for aquariums, turkey hunt
April 4, 2013
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Frequently Asked Questions - April 4, 2013
The Frequently Asked Questions features recent warden-related 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 1: I want to know what license is required to shoot a turkey under the authority of an ag damage permit? Also, can I use a crossbow to shoot a turkey on an ag damage permit?
Answer: Either a small game or a turkey license is required to participate in shooting turkeys causing damage under that authority of a shooting permit. The landowner/permittee is not required to have a separate license. A crossbow, bow or shotgun (if not prohibited from possessing a firearm) can be used to shoot a turkey under the authority of a turkey damage shooting permit.
Question 2: Can I transport live gamefish or roughfish that I have harvested away from the water?
Answer: No, but as long as you remove the liquid water from the container the fish are in (livewell, cooler or bucket) before you leave the shore and you do not try to revive them later, they are considered dead for the purpose of the transportation rules.
Question 3: I like to maintain native fish in my home aquarium; can I catch fish and bring them home for this purpose?
Answer: No, transporting any live fish taken from a wild source would be illegal. If you would like fish for your home aquarium, you should purchase the fish from a fish hatchery, bait shop or licensed bait harvester.
Question 4: Why is there a requirement of 50 acres or more to qualify for turkey landowner’s preference when most lands are divided by 40 acre lots? Is this a statutory issue?
Answer: Yes, this is a statutory issue, and this acreage was used to help limit how many people could apply for landowner preference. Many people do own just a 40 acre ¼ ¼ section of land. Many own just a little less than 40 acres. No matter what acreage level is chosen, there will always be many landowners that still will not qualify for landowner preference. If too many people are made eligible for this first preference category, it takes away the benefit of having this category to begin with. This preference category is to provide the larger acreage landowners with a higher probability of getting a tag if they want one. There was concern when the law was created that the large acreage landowners would not be willing to allow others to hunt on their lands if they, as the actual owners, could not get tags.
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.