Top Stories Milwaukee

On Monday, in simultaneous public hearings held in every one of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, citizens will vote on a proposal to allow widespread hunting on state parks. The vote – which isn’t binding – has arisen as part of the convoluted Conservation Congress process in which individual citizens can propose changes to state conservation regulations. The Congress, which functions as a massive advisory board to the state Department of Natural Resources, has no equal in any other state.

The proposal was originally penned by Larry Meyer of Whitewater, a regional coordinator for a DNR trapping program. His original proposal asks the state Legislature to change state law “to allow trapping and hunting on state park lands.” Meyer proposes giving the DNR the authority to regulate the trapping and hunting that would ensue.

Current state law already allows the DNR to authorize deer and small game hunting in state parks, which it does in limited cases. The department currently has no authority, however, to permit trapping.

At Monday’s hearings – the Conservation Congress’ annual “Spring Hearings” – citizens will vote on Meyer’s proposal along with 83 other questions, ranging from raising the minimum size limit for Muskellunge fish to allowing more hunters to use crossbows. Citizens will also elect delegates to the DNR’s Conservation Congress (five from each county) and can propose new changes to state laws and rules. If approved, these changes could be voted on in the 2012 Spring Hearings.

That’s how Meyer’s proposal made it this far. In 2010, it was introduced and approved at Spring Hearings in 17 counties (none of them were in Southeastern Wisconsin). From there, the proposal was approved by a variety of Conservation Congress advisory committees, all composed of delegates. By surviving this gauntlet, the proposal landed on the docket for this year’s Spring Hearings. If citizens approve it at this year’s Spring Hearings, the proposal goes before the 360-member Conservation Congress in May during its annual convention. With the Congress’ approval, the recommendation is then forwarded – finally – to the DNR and the state Natural Resources Board.

“But even if it does pass,” says Kari Lee-Zimmerman, Conservation Congress coordinator for the DNR, “it’s not an issue the department can do anything about without legislative action,” because Meyer is proposing a change in state statute.

She says the Congress “is is the only advisory body to the department and the board” and recommendations are “taken into account” by state officials. Lee-Zimmerman estimates that between 8,000 and 10,000 people attend the Spring Hearings every year.

Wauwatosa wildlife photographer Eddee Daniel wrote recently on his blog that he plans to attend the hearing in Milwaukee County at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis (7 p.m.) to vote against the hunting proposal. “Let’s tell our legislators that our parks and the people of Wisconsin who use them deserve more respect,” he writes.

Shahla Werner, director of the Wisconsin chapter of the Sierra Club environmental group, says the chapter hasn’t taken a position on the Meyer proposal but is encouraging its members to attend the Spring Hearings and vote.

“We’d like to see more representation and participation by the community in the Congress. It makes sense for a broad range of people to participate in these hearings,” she says. “It does seem like it’s mostly represented by hunting, trapping and fishing interests.”

The chapter is weighing in, however, on a proposal to allow more lead shot to be used by hunters on DNR lands. “It seems trivial, but over time, that lead adds up in the environment,” Werner says.

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, although it represents hunters and other sportsmen, isn’t taking a stand on the proposal to allow widespread hunting in state parks, either. But it, too, wants its members to attend. “We really believe strongly in the Conservation Congress as a way for sportsmen to give their opinions,” says executive director George Meyer.

But as for the organization itself, “We rarely take a position before the Congress.”

Meyer says he doesn’t remember a similar proposal ever going to a vote before the Spring Hearings before.

He and Lee-Zimmerman say no other state has a process similar to the long-standing Conservation Congress. According to Meyer, “This is unique throughout the country. It’s not perfect, but it is really an outstanding way to get citizen input. Anyone can come in and vote, and you can start a change in state hunting policy.”

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.