Chapter NR 10

NR 10.111(3) (3) Elk population goals.

NR 10.111(3)(a) (a) The overwinter elk population goal for elk management zones described in s. NR 10.37 shall be expressed as the total number of elk per zone as follows:

- See PDF for table

NR 10.111(3)(b) (b) The department shall manage the elk population in Zone X, as described in s. NR 10.37, at a population level of zero elk. If the department determines that elk are causing agricultural damage, are a nuisance or are frequenting an area in Zone X, the department shall remove the elk in a manner determined by the department, in accordance with the procedures outlined ss. NR 12.10 and 12.15 and may include trapping and relocating, hazing, hunting or shooting.

NR 10.111(3)(c) (c) If the department determines that hunting is an appropriate removal method for elk subject to par. (b), the department may designate any elk tag as being valid on specified properties in Zone X, during the elk season.

NR 10.111(4) (4) Annual antlerless elk kill quotas.

NR 10.111(4)(a) (a) Annual population estimate. The overwinter elk population goal shall be determined based on biological, ecological and sociological factors, including: reproductive success, winter severity, herd age and sex structure, non-hunting mortality, and agricultural damage.

NR 10.111(4)(b) (b) Quota objectives. Using the overwinter elk population estimate established under par. (a), the department shall annually calculate an antlerless elk kill quota for each zone with the objective of maintaining the elk herd at the established elk population goal.

NR 10.111(4)(c) (c) Quota adjustment in ceded territory. For the elk management units in the ceded territory as defined in s. NR 13.02 (1), expected tribal harvest shall be deducted from the elk kill quota established in par. (b).

NR 10.111(5) (5) Elk licenses.

NR 10.111(5)(a) (a) Purpose. The department may issue elk licenses in numbers to assure maintenance of elk populations for each zone indicated in sub. (3).

NR 10.111(5)(b) (b) Bull elk tag formula. The department shall determine the number of bull elk tags which shall be issued at a level that will maintain the elk population at the goal established for each elk management zone listed in sub. (3).

NR 10.111(5)(c) (c) Antlerless elk tag formula. The department shall determine the number of antlerless elk tags which shall be issued at a level that will maintain the elk population goal established for each elk management zone listed in sub. (3).

NR 10.111(6) (6) License issuance.

NR 10.111(6)(a) (a) License requirements. Elk hunting licenses may only be issued to those who have earned a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.595, Stats., and have obtained authorization for either a bull tag or antlerless elk tag. Successful applicants will be limited to one elk license per lifetime as established in s. 29.182 (4m), Stats. The department may reissue an elk license if the license is returned or if the applicant fails to or cannot comply with s. 29.182, Stats. Selection shall be by random drawing.

NR 10.111(6)(b) (b) Success rate formula. Hunter success rates used to compute the number of elk licenses to be issued for each zone shall be those calculated by the department from annual elk season harvest reports except where no previous history of success rates exist. In establishing licenses for a zone without an adequate history of licenses, the department shall estimate an anticipated success rate. The license rate formula is:

- See PDF for table

NR 10.111(6)(c) (c) Calculating license issuance. The number of elk licenses to be issued to harvest the desired number of elk shall be based on the hunter success rates from previous seasons. The license number formula is:

- See PDF for table

NR 10.111(7) (7) Application procedure. Applications for elk licenses shall be on forms provided by the department. Applications shall be postmarked no later than the deadline dates indicated on the form or received by a department service center location no later than those dates to be considered for selection.

NR 10.111 Note Note: The department conducts extensive publicity on the application deadlines beginning several months prior to any deadline. Application deadline dates are published in news releases, the department web site at http://dnr.wi.gov, license outlet handouts, and pertinent regulation pamphlets. Department service center office hours may vary by location.

NR 10.111 History History: CR 03-018: cr. Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04; CR 05-031: am. (7) Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 11-030: am. (7) Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12; CR 13-067: r. and recr. (3) (a), am. (3) (c), (5) (b) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; CR 18-081: am. (5) (b) Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11-1-19; (6) (c) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769.

NR 10.12 NR 10.12 Migratory game bird hunting.

NR 10.12(1) (1) Prohibited methods. No person shall hunt any migratory game bird by any of the following methods:

NR 10.12(1)(a) (a) Sinkbox. From or by means, aid or use of a sinkbox or any other type of low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water.

NR 10.12(1)(b) (b) Boats. From any boat or craft other than those propelled by paddle, oar or pole. When motors or sails are attached to the boat, the motor shall be completely shut off and the sail furled, and the boat’s progress stopped before a firearm may be loaded.

NR 10.12(1)(c) (c) Structures. From any pier, dam, dock or similar structure, except disabled persons under the authority of a class A permit issued by the department.

NR 10.12(1)(d) (d) Rallying. By the use or aid of any water, air or motor-driven land conveyance used for the purpose of or resulting in stirring up, driving or rallying.

NR 10.12(1)(e) (e) Bird calls. By the use or aid of recorded or electrically amplified bird calls or sounds or imitations thereof, or while in possession of any type of device that produces recorded or electronic amplifications of bird calls or sounds.

NR 10.12(1)(f) (f) Live decoys. By using directly or indirectly any live tame or captive ducks or geese for decoy purposes regardless of the distance intervening between any such live decoys and the position of the hunter. All live tame or captive ducks and geese shall be removed for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to hunting, and confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals these live birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl.

NR 10.12(1)(g) (g) Decoy use. By the use or aid of decoys which are or have been:

NR 10.12(1)(g)1. 1. Placed beyond 200 feet from the blind or cover in which the hunter is located.

NR 10.12(1)(g)2. 2. Placed in the water more than one hour before the open hunting time.

NR 10.12(1)(g)3. 3. Left in the water more than 20 minutes after the close of hunting time.

NR 10.12(1)(g)4. 4. Left in the water unattended.

NR 10.12(1)(h) (h) Baiting. By the aid of baiting as described by the U.S. fish and wildlife service in 50 CFR 20.11 and 20.21(i).

NR 10.12(2) (2) Possession. No person shall possess any live or crippled migratory game bird reduced to possession by means of hunting. Such bird shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit.

NR 10.12(3) (3) Open water restrictions. No person may hunt waterfowl in any portion of a navigable water body from or with the aid of any blind which may include any boat, canoe, raft, contrivance or similar device except:

NR 10.12(3)(a) (a) Mississippi river. Blinds in any of the waters of the Mississippi river and adjoining waters west of the BNSF railway provided the blinds are securely anchored and located not more than 100 feet from any shoreline including islands. Blinds in open water in Grant county and the Lake Pepin portions of the Mississippi river are permitted regardless of the distance from shore provided the blinds are securely anchored.

NR 10.12(3)(c) (c) Large lakes and Great Lakes. Blinds in open waters of the following lakes if more than 500 feet from any shoreline including islands: Beaver Dam Lake in Dodge County (excluding Rakes and Trestle Works Bays), Big Green Lake in Green Lake County, Castle Rock Lake in Adams and Juneau counties (south of railroad bridge and county road G), Fence Lake in Vilas County, Green Bay, Grindstone Lake in Sawyer County, North Twin Lake in Vilas County, Petenwell flowage in Adams, Juneau and Wood counties (north of state highway 21 and south of state highway 73), Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Puckaway in Marquette and Green Lake counties (the waters west of the west end of the dredge bank, excluding the waters east of the west end of the dredge bank), Shawano Lake in Shawano County, Trout Lake in Vilas County, Lake Winnebago, Lake Wisconsin in Sauk and Columbia counties (north of railroad bridge), and Lake Wissota in Chippewa County (south of county road S and north of county road X). All blinds must be securely anchored, except those in the open waters of Big Green Lake, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Green Bay.

NR 10.12(3)(d) (d) Blind removal. All open water blinds shall be removed at the close of shooting hours each day.

NR 10.12(3)(e) (e) Disability provision. If the boat, blind, or similar device is occupied by at least one individual engaged in hunting who holds a Class A or B disabled permit that authorizes hunting from a stationary vehicle and which has been issued for more than 1 year, and is substantially in compliance with par. (f) considering necessary additional distance to maintain the minimum depth of water for operation of the boat, blind, or similar device used.

NR 10.12(3)(f) (f) Other water bodies. If any of the following apply:

NR 10.12(3)(f)1. 1. A part of the boat, blind, or similar device is located within 3 feet of any shoreline including islands.

NR 10.12(3)(f)2. 2. A part of the boat, blind, or similar device is located within 3 feet of a naturally occurring, un-manipulated growth of vegetation rooted to the navigable waterway’s bed or shoreline and of sufficient height and density to conceal at least 50% of the hunter and the boat, blind, or similar device when viewed from at least one direction beyond the vegetation providing the concealment. For determining if the vegetation provides the minimum 50% concealment, the viewing shall occur from a height approximately the same as height of the boat, blind or similar device being used by the hunter.

NR 10.12(3)(g) (g) Normal jump shooting activities. From a non-motorized boat, canoe, or raft, which is not anchored, on streams where shooting shore to shore is possible.

NR 10.12(4) (4) Special blind restrictions. The department may restrict hunters to certain blind locations within the Collins, Eldorado, Grand River, Pine Island and Theresa state wildlife areas by posted notice. If posted, maps shall be provided by the department indicating where blind sites are located. Downed game birds may be retrieved outside blinds with the aid of guns and dogs or by hand.

NR 10.12(5) (5) Taking methods. No person may hunt any migratory bird with a trap, snare, cable restraint, net, swivel gun, punt gun, battery gun, fishhook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance.

NR 10.12(6) (6) Tagging. No person may give, put or leave migratory game birds at any place, other than at that person’s permanent abode, or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged individually or collectively with tags bearing all of the following information:

NR 10.12(6)(a) (a) The hunter’s signature.

NR 10.12(6)(b) (b) The hunter’s address.

NR 10.12(6)(c) (c) The total number of birds tagged, by species.

NR 10.12(6)(d) (d) The dates the birds were killed.

NR 10.12 Note Note: Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another person for the hunter, or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment, or taxidermy services.

NR 10.12(8) (8) Shipment. No person may ship migratory game birds unless the package is marked on the outside with:

NR 10.12(8)(a) (a) The name and address of the person sending the birds,

NR 10.12(8)(b) (b) The name and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent, and

NR 10.12(8)(c) (c) The number of birds, by species, contained in the package.

NR 10.12(9) (9) Importation.

NR 10.12(9)(a) (a) One fully-feathered wing shall remain attached to all migratory game birds being transported between the port of entry and the possessor’s permanent abode or to a preservation facility.

NR 10.12(9)(b) (b) No person may import migratory game birds belonging to another person.

NR 10.12(10) (10) Waterfowl stamp. No person 16 years of age and older may hunt for waterfowl without a valid state waterfowl stamp approval unless the person is carrying a valid conservation patron license, senior citizen recreation card, free military small game license or first-year hunter education certificate.

NR 10.12 Note Note: Violation of state migratory game bird regulations is also a violation of federal regulations. Importation restrictions do not prohibit the importation of legally taken, fully feathered migratory game birds for mounting purposes by a taxidermist holding a valid federal permit and licensed by the U.S. department of agriculture to decontaminate birds.

NR 10.12(11) (11) Harvest information program. Before hunting any migratory game birds each year, hunters shall register with the department by supplying their names, addresses, date of birth and other necessary information requested by the department in a manner prescribed by the department. No individual may hunt any species of migratory game bird until registered with the department and all hunters must have in their possession proof of registration while hunting migratory game birds.

NR 10.12(12) (12) Waterfowl blind identification. No person may maintain, occupy or use a blind situated on state-owned property for hunting waterfowl unless the owner’s name, address and customer identification number, in the English language and in lettering one-inch square or larger, is affixed permanently to the blind. The name and address shall be readily visible on the blind and shall be kept legible at all times.

NR 10.12 History History: 1-2-56; am. (2) (c), (3) (a), (4), (5) (c), Register, August, 1956, No. 8, eff. 9-1-56; am. (1) (e) and (2) (c) and r. (5) (b), Register, August, 1958, No. 32, eff. 9-1-58; am. (1) (b); r. and recr. (1) (d); cr. (1) (f) and (g); am. (5) (a), Register, September, 1960, No. 57, eff. 10-1-60; r. and recr. (1) (f), Register, August, 1961, No. 68. eff. 9-1-61; r. and recr. (1) (f), Register, September, 1963, No. 93, eff. 10-1-63; r. (5) (c) Register, August, 1965, No. 116, eff. 9-1-65; am. (5) (a), Register, September, 1965, No. 117, eff. 10-1-65; am. (1) (f), Register, September, 1966, No. 129, eff. 10-1-66; am. (2) (b); cr. (2) (d), (e) and (f), Register, August, 1967, No. 140, eff. 9-1-67; emerg. am. (1) (f), eff. 9-1-67; am. (2) (b) and (e), Register, August, 1968, No. 152, eff. 9-1-68; emerg. am. (1) (f), eff. 9-30-68; emerg. am. (2) (c), eff. 10-11-68, emerg. am. (1) (f) and (2) (c), eff. 8-30-69; am. (1) (f) and (2) (c), Register, November, 1969, No. 167, eff. 12-1-69; renum. to be NR 10.12, Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (2) (d) and (e), and r. (f), Register September 1970, No. 177, eff. 10-1-70; am. (2) (b), Register, September, 1971, No. 189, eff. 10-1-71; emerg. am. (1) (f) eff. 10-10-72; emerg. am. (2) (a), eff. 9-24-75; am. (2) (a), Register, June, 1976, No. 246, eff. 7-1-76; am. (2), Register, January, 1977, No. 253, eff. 2-1-77; am. (5), Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; r. (2) (a), r. and recr. (2) (c), and cr. (5) (b), Register, February, 1978, No. 266, eff. 3-1-78; r. and recr. (1) to (4) and (5) (a), cr. (5) (intro.), renum. (5) (b) to be (5) (d), Register, May, 1978, No. 269, eff. 6-1-78; r. and recr. (3) (d) and (5) (d) 2., Register, December, 1978, No. 276, eff. 1-1-79; r. and recr. (1) (g), Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; r. and recr. (3) (b), Register, April, 1980, No. 292, eff. 5-1-80; am. (3) (d) 1. and 2., Register, June, 1981, No. 306, eff. 7-1-81; emerg. r. and recr. (5) (d), eff. 9-12-81; r. and recr. (5) (d), Register, March, 1982, No. 315, eff. 4-1-82; am. (3) (d) (intro.), Register, April, 1982, No. 316, eff. 5-1-82; am. (5) (d) 2. b., Register, June, 1984, No. 342, eff. 7-1-84; am. (3) (b), cr. (3) (e) and r. and recr. (4) (a) 1., Register, April, 1985, No. 352, eff. 5-1-85; am. (1) (b), (f) and (h) 1., (5) (d) 2. c. and d., r. and recr. (5) (a), cr. (6) to (9), Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; renum. (2) (d) 2. d. to be 2. e. and cr. (2) (d) 2. d., Register, January, 1986, No. 361, eff. 3-1-86; emerg. r. and recr. (5) (a) 2. d., eff. 9-12-86; r. and recr. (5) (d), Register, January, 1987, No. 373, eff. 2-1-87; r. and recr. (3), Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; r. and recr. (4), Register, July, 1988, No. 391, eff. 8-1-88; emerg. am. (1) (c) and (4) (a), r. and recr. (1) (h), eff. 9-15-89; am. (1) (c) and (4) (a), r. and recr. (1) (h), Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90; emerg. am. (4) (a), eff. 9-15-90; am. (4) (a), Register, March, 1991, No. 423, eff. 4-1-91; emerg. am. (3) (b), eff. 9-16-91; cr. (10), Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91; am. (3) (b), Register, April, 1992, No. 436, eff. 5-1-92; am. (4) (intro.), Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; emerg. am. (10), eff. 9-1-93; am. (10), Register, January, 1994, No. 457, eff. 2-1-94; r. and recr. (1) (g), am. (4) (a), Register, August, 1994, No. 464, eff. 9-1-94; am. (4) (a), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 3-1-98; cr. (11), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; emerg. am. (1) (h) (intro.), eff. 9-10-99; am. (1) (h) (intro.), Register, December, 1999, No. 528, eff. 1-1-00; cr. (12), Register, September, 2000, No. 537 eff. 3-1-01; r. and recr. (1) (h) and am. (5) (d), Register, December, 2000, No. 540, eff. 1-1-01; CR 02-018: am. (10) Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02; CR 03-018: am. (5) (a) Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-046: am. (3) (intro.), (5) (a) and (7) Register September 2004 No. 585, eff. 10-1-04; emerg. am. (4) eff. 8-31-06; CR 06-074: am. (4) Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 1-1-07; CR 06-012: am. (1) (e) Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 2-1-07; emerg. am. (5) (d), eff. 8-30-07; CR 07-055: am. (5) (d) Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08; CR 09-024: am. (1) (h) Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; CR 11-030: am. (5) (a) Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12; CR 11-032: am. (4) Register August 2012 No. 680, eff. 9-1-12; EmR1313: emerg. r. and recr. (3) (c), cr. (3) (e), eff. 9-6-13; CR 13-052: r. and recr. (3) (c), cr. (3) (e) Register March 2014 No. 699, eff. 4-1-14; correction in (5) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2014 No. 699; CR 13-071: am. (5) (c) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; CR 15-024: am. (3) (intro.), cr. (f), (g) Register November 2015 No. 719, eff. 2-1-16; CR 15-052: am. (3) (a), r. and recr. (3) (e) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16; correction in (3) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2016 No. 721; CR 16-028: am. (3) (d) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 17-061: r. (7) Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; corrections in (6) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769; CR 19-146: r. and recr. (5) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; cr. (title) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register June 2020 No. 774; EmR2311: emerg. r. (3) (b), am. (3) (c), eff. 8-15-23; CR 23-048: r. (3) (b), am. (3) (c) Register March 2024 No. 189, eff. 4-1-24.

NR 10.125 NR 10.125 Canada goose hunting.

NR 10.125(1) (1) Permit requirements.

NR 10.125(1)(a) (a) Permit possession required. No person may hunt Canada geese in any area of the state without having on his or her person a valid Canada goose hunting permit except for hunters 15 and under during the youth waterfowl season established in s. NR 10.01 (1) (n).

NR 10.125(1)(c) (c) Validity. All permits are valid only in the zones and for the time periods specified on the permit during the open season established for Canada geese.

NR 10.125(4) (4) Season reports. The department may require any permit holder to provide the department a goose hunting report. The selected hunter shall be required to complete the report and mail it within 48 hours of receipt.

NR 10.125 Note Note: The hunting report forms will be mailed to certain hunters only.

NR 10.125(5) (5) 

NR 10.125(5)(a) (a) Bag limit. The aggregate daily bag limit for persons hunting during the regular Canada goose season is equal to the larger of the respective daily bag limits established in s. NR 10.01 (1) (L).

NR 10.125(5)(b) (b) Daily possession limit. No person may possess or transport more than the daily bag limit or aggregate daily limit, whichever applies, of migratory game birds, tagged or not tagged, at or between the place where taken and either the person’s permanent abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or a commercial preservation facility.

NR 10.125(6) (6) Season closure. The secretary of the department may close a portion or all of any Canada goose season established in s. NR 10.01 (1) (h) upon a finding by the department that the harvest for that season will exceed the level authorized by U.S. fish and wildlife service. Closure shall become effective upon issuance of an order and publication in the official state newspaper.

NR 10.125 History History: Cr. (1) to (5), (6) renum. from NR 10.01 (1) (h), Register, July, 1988, No. 391, eff. 8-1-88; emerg. am. (1) (c), eff. 9-21-88; am. (1) (c), Register, January, 1989, No. 397 eff. 2-1-89; am. (5) (a) 2., Register, July, 1989, No. 403, eff. 8-1-89; emerg. renum. (1) (c) to be (1) (c) 1., cr. (1) (c) 2. and 3., r. and recr. (1) (d) 5. intro., r. (1) (d) 5. a. and (5) (a) 1., am. (1) (e) and (5) (a) (intro.) and (b), eff. 9-15-89; renum. (1) (c) to (1) (c) 1., cr. (1) (c) 2. and 3., r. and recr. (1) (d) 5. intro., r. (1) (d) 5. a. and (5) (a) 1., am. (1) (e) and (5) (a) (intro.) and (b), Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90; r. and recr. (1) (b), (d) to (e), am. (5) (a) (intro.), r. (5) (a) 2., renum. (5) (b) to be (5) (b) 1., cr. (1) (f) to (h) and (5) (b) 2., Register, July, 1990, No. 415, eff. 8-1-90; emerg. am. (1) (e) 1., cr. (7), eff. 9-15-90; am. (1) (e) 1., cr. (7), Register, March, 1991, No. 423, eff. 4-1-91; r. (3) and (4), renum. (5) to (7) to be (3) to (5), Register, April, 1992, No. 436, eff. 5-1-92; r. and recr. Register, August, 1992, No. 440, eff. 9-1-92; emerg. am. (4) (a), eff. 9-1-95; am. (4) (a), Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3-1-96; am. (2) (b) 1., 2. and (4) (a) 1., r. (4) (a) 2., Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; am. (3) (a) 1., Register, December, 2000, No. 540, eff. 1-1-01; CR 02-018: am. (2) (c) 2. Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02; CR 05-031: am. (2) (b) 1. and 2. Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 10-066: am. (1) (c) 2. a., (2) (b) 1., (c), (3) (intro.), (a) (intro.), r. (2) (f) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 2-1-11; CR 13-052: cr. (2) (b) 3., am. (3) (intro.), (4) (a) Register March 2014 No. 699, eff. 4-1-14; EmR1613: emerg. am. (1) (d), (3) (intro.), r. (3) (a) to (c), eff. 3-12-16; EmR1712: emerg. r. (1) (d), eff. 6-17-17; CR 17-061: r. (1) (d), renum. (3) (intro.) to (3) and am., r. (3) (a) to (c) Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; correction in (3) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2018 No. 746; EmR1902: emerg. r. (3), (4) (a) eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: r. (3), (4) (a) Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in numbering and (title) of (4) and (title) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., 2. Register September 2019 No. 765; EmR1914: emerg. r. (1) (c) 1. to 3., (2), eff. 9-5-19; CR 19-068: r. (1) (b), renum. (1) (c) (intro.) to (1) (c) and am., r. (1) (c) 1., 2., 3., (2) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20; CR 23-048: am. (1) (a), (5) (a), (6) Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24.

NR 10.13 NR 10.13 Furbearing animals.

NR 10.13(1) (1) Prohibited methods. No person may:

NR 10.13(1)(a) (a) Hunting. Hunt any beaver, fisher, mink, muskrat, or otter with the aid of any spear, gun or dog except that:

NR 10.13(1)(a)1. 1. The owner or occupant of any land and members of their families may shoot or trap beaver on their respective lands without license as established in s. 29.337, Stats.

NR 10.13(1)(a)2. 2. Agents or employees possessing written authorization from the landowner, land lessee or responsible governmental body may use firearms to shoot beaver under s. NR 12.10.

NR 10.13(1)(b) (b) Trapping.

NR 10.13(1)(b)1. 1. ‘Traps.’ Set out or place traps, snares or cable restraints, whether set or sprung, during the closed season.

NR 10.13(1)(b)2. 2. ‘Bait or scent.’ Set out or place any bait or scent for attracting furbearing animals during the closed season, except for individuals conducting nuisance wildlife control work. During the open season, no person may use sight exposed bait consisting of feathers, animal flesh, fur, hide or entrails within 25 feet of any trap, snare or cable restraint, except for enclosed trigger traps or cage traps as defined in s. NR 10.001 (5j) and (9c).

NR 10.13(1)(b)4. 4. ‘Watersets.’ Take, capture or kill, or attempt to take, capture, or kill any furbearing animals at any time by means of watersets except during that period when and in those areas where there is an open season for trapping muskrat, beaver, or otter or when using a commercially manufactured, enclosed trigger trap. In addition, persons removing beaver under s. NR 12.10 may use watersets.

NR 10.13(1)(b)6. 6. ‘Trap, snare, and cable restraint use.’ Set, place, operate or possess while trapping, any trap other than a steel jawed trap, enclosed trigger trap, cage or box trap, body gripping trap, colony trap, snare or cable restraint for the purpose of taking, capturing, or killing furbearing animals. Cage or box traps shall be constructed so that after an animal has been captured, no additional animals may enter the trap until the captured animal is removed and the trap is reset.

NR 10.13(1)(b)7. 7. ‘Artificial structures.’ Construct or place on the ice of any of the waters of this state any artificial house or den for the purpose of taking, catching, or killing any fur-bearing animals, or place or set therein any trap or traps of any kind which might take, catch, or kill fur-bearing animals.

NR 10.13(1)(b)8. 8. ‘Body-gripping type traps.’