Frequently Asked Questions - May 12, 2013
May 12, 2013
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
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 saw the picture of the Buffalo Carp the other day on Twitter. I saw it was some kind of record. What was the record? How was that big fish?
Answer: Yes, that picture caught some attention! See the photo. That’s Conservation Warden Barry Fetting with Mathew Schillinger of Stratford, the man who got this 70.5-pound Buffalo Carp and now holds the state record for “alternative method.” You may wonder what that means. Warden Fetting says Mr. Schillinger shot the fish on May 4 with a bow and arrow while bow fishing at Castle Rock Lake. Rough fish can be harvested with a bow and arrow. Warden Fetting says this carp was weighed on a certified scale. He adds it missed the hook and line record by about 3 pounds. Still, that is one big fish.
Question 2: Can I use corn or other grains to attract fish during fishing?
Answer: Yes, but don’t just scatter the corn or grains all over the lake or river to try and attract fish, and then just leave it there when you’re done fishing. Here’s what you do – and please read this answer entirely if you are interested in doing this:
Corn or other similar materials can certainly be used as bait (such as on the hook), and a person can toss a few kernels or handful of corn to feed fish which are present and which will consume all that feed. Think of it like feeding a small flock of ducks at a city park where you’re allowed to do that.
Leaving material on the bed and not removing unconsumed feed when a person leaves would generally be considered littering. And, this material cannot be left on the bed without the permission of the owner of that lake bed. If other wild animals also have access to the feed, then this would potentially also be a violation of the general prohibition on feeding other wild animals, such as ducks and geese.
Also, in Wisconsin, the beds of navigable lakes are owned by the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, and they have not authorized leaving of bait of feeding sites on the beds of navigable lakes. Therefore, a person should keep any material they are using to attract fish to the area they are fishing enclosed in a mesh or similar container so it can be removed when the person leaves the area.
Question 3: How do I legally catch suckers?
Answer: Suckers are considered a minnow species and can therefore be taken with minnow traps that do not exceed the maximum dimensions for a minnow trap as described in the fishing regulations pamphlet on page 18. Suckers also are considered a rough fish and therefore can be taken with dip nets on waters where and when dip netting is allowed for rough fish.
Question 4: Can I have a back seat on a Honda Big Red UTV? Does it matter if it was originally made with a back seat or if that back seat is added on?
Answer: Only originally manufactured seating is allowed. Sorry, you cannot ‘add on’ seating.
Question 5: I just bought a boat. How do I register it?
Answer: It depends on the size. Boats under 16 feet in size can be registered by mail, or over the counter at any of our sales agents, or online:
http://dnr.wi.gov/permits/registrationandtitling.html
Boats that are 16 feet or larger can be registered by mail, started online and mailed in to complete, or you may go to any DNR Service center. Here’s where to look for a DNR Service Center near you:
http://dnr.wi.gov/contact/OfficeLocations.html
Question 6: Where do I get a burning permit? And, where do I look to see what the burning restrictions are for that day?
Answer: Call the DNR Call Center to get a burning permit over the phone, 1-888-936-7463, or you can get the permit online:
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/steps.html
And you can find the daily burning restrictions by calling 1-888-WIS-BURN, or online:
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/restrictions.asp
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.