Increase hunting opportunities and flexibility for hunters living with disabilities who are landowners in Wisconsin
WHEREAS, for decades (over 30 years) there has been a nine-day hunt for hunters with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, it has traditionally spanned nine days in early October and allows people with Class A, B, C or D disability permits to use firearms to hunt deer; and
WHEREAS, the participants can only hunt on private properties enrolled in the program. The landowners must have at least 60 acres of land and must apply to the DNR to host hunters by June 17.
WHEREAS, the organizer of the hunt must then provide a final list of the names, addresses and the Class A, B, C or D disabled hunter permit number of all participants, and the names of their designated assistants, to the DNR by Sept. 1.; and
WHEREAS, any hunters with disabilities not on a hosted list are prohibited from hunting with a firearm during this nine-day hunt for individuals with a disability; and
WHEREAS, any hunters with disabilities are prohibited from hunting with a firearm during the nine-day hunt on private land other than private land enrolled in the program including private land owned by the hunter;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation calls on the Department of Natural Resources to increase hunting opportunities and flexibility by allowing this hunt for people with Class A, B, C or D disability permits who are landowners with 5 acres or more to use firearms to hunt deer on their privately owned land during this same period as allowed by existing law.
Submitted by Monica Spaeni and Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW)