NR 12.36(1)(1)Enrollees shall have hunting access control over all contiguous land on which they seek wildlife damage abatement assistance or claims. Enrollees shall open their land to hunting, using one of the access options in sub. (3), during the regular hunting seasons for the species causing the damage for which they have enrolled in the WDACP as required by s. 29.889 (7m), Stats. Enrollees may not charge any fees for or require any services or items in trade or exchange in connection with hunting, hunting access or any other activity hunting the species causing damage. This hunting access requirement shall also apply to enrollees who have also been issued a shooting permit under the authority of s. 29.885, Stats., and this chapter, except as provided in sub. (1m).
NR 12.36(1m)(1m)The requirements under sub. (1) do not apply to a person to whom the department grants a shooting permit for deer causing damage that is issued as an abatement measure recommended under s. 29.889, Stats., if all of the following apply:
NR 12.36(1m)(a)(a) The permit is the only abatement measure the person receives under s. 29.889, Stats., for damage caused by deer.
NR 12.36(1m)(b)(b) The person waives any eligibility to receive a wildlife damage claim payment under s. 29.889 (7), Stats., for damage caused by deer.
NR 12.36(2)(2)Enrollees shall enroll with the county by completing an agreement which certifies their hunting access control for all contiguous lands of the same ownership or control where wildlife damage is occurring and for which they are seeking program services under this chapter.
NR 12.36(2g)(2g)Landowner signatures for leased properties must be submitted to the county or its agent within 14 days of WDACP enrollment.
NR 12.36(2r)(2r)Landowner signatures for leased properties on permits issued under s. NR 12.37 (4) (a) 5. must be submitted to the county or its agent prior to February 15 of the year of enrollment.
NR 12.36(3)(3)Enrollees shall choose one of the 2 following hunting access options:
NR 12.36(3)(a)(a)Open public hunting for the species causing damage. The enrollee may not restrict hunting access, place limitations on which hunters or how many hunters may access the property enrolled by the enrollee except for reasonable cause as defined in s. NR 12.31 (7). The enrollee may not require registration of hunters, but the hunter shall establish an acceptable arrangement with the enrollee for notifying the enrollee of the hunter’s intent to hunt prior to hunting. The enrollee may choose how often notification is required and the manner by which notification shall be given. The enrollee shall indicate the manner of notification by which the enrollee may reasonably be reached.
NR 12.36(3)(b)(b)Managed hunting access. Enrollee notification and hunter registration with the enrollee is required. The following provisions shall apply to the managed hunting access option:
NR 12.36(3)(b)1.1.‘Land suitable for hunting.’ The county, or its agent, shall determine the area of land suitable for hunting in accordance with the WDACP technical manual and this chapter. The following criteria shall be used to determine land suitable for hunting:
NR 12.36(3)(b)1.a.a. The acreage of land suitable for hunting as defined in s. NR 12.31 (4) or (4e), depending on the species causing damage.
NR 12.36(3)(b)1.b.b. Enrollees may prohibit or restrict discharge of firearms within 100 yards of livestock holding areas.
NR 12.36(3)(b)1.c.c. Permanent barrier woven-wire and high-profile electric fences. Land inside a permanent barrier fence, or land inside a temporary barrier fence which meets construction and maintenance standards in the WDACP technical manual or are approved by the department, shall not be considered land suitable for hunting.
NR 12.36(3)(b)2.2.‘Hunting access map.’ The county or its agent shall provide property maps to enrollees using aerial photos or plat maps to identify property boundaries and land suitable for hunting. The county, in consultation with the enrollee and in accordance with the WDACP technical manual, may delineate hunting zones for parcels of the property to assist the enrollee in distributing hunting effort to promote distribution of hunting effort and safety. The enrollee shall use these maps to explain to hunters boundaries and hunting constraints on the enrolled property.
NR 12.36(3)(b)3.3.‘Registration.’ To register for hunting access, hunters shall contact the program enrollee after obtaining the enrollee’s contact information. Enrollees must make a reasonable attempt to return each phone call. The hunter shall arrange a meeting with the enrollee. The enrollee shall describe the registration process, including completion of a hunting log, where the log will be located on the property, any hunting constraints on the property, and any information necessary to promote safety and prevent trespass. The registration form shall be provided to the enrollee by the county or its agent and be in the form of a log book following the format in the WDACP technical manual. The enrollee shall keep his or her hunting log current, recording hunters under this section and shooting permit participant hunters under ch. NR 12 to show compliance with the hunting access requirement. Enrollees shall make these records available for review by the county, its agent and department staff as required by s. 29.889 (8r) (a), Stats.
NR 12.36(3)(b)4.4.‘Hunting access.’ Hunting access shall be on a first come, first served basis. Hunters may contact enrollees before the dates they intend to hunt, but may not register until their intended hunting date and cannot reserve hunting access in advance. Hunters shall register by signing in on the hunting log every time they arrive to hunt and signing out on the hunting log every time they leave. Enrollees must make a reasonable effort to respond to requests for hunting access. Failure to respond to access requests are subject to the penalties in subd. 7.
NR 12.36(3)(b)5.5.‘Hunter densities.’ The enrollee shall allow at least 2 hunters per 40 acres of land suitable for hunting at any given time of the appropriate hunting season. The enrollee and hunting members of the immediate family that reside in the enrollee’s household may be counted towards this hunter density restriction.
NR 12.36(3)(b)6.6.‘Refusal.’ Enrollees may refuse hunting access for reasonable cause as defined in s. NR 12.31 (7), if the hunters density limitations in subd. 5. are met, or if hunter fails to complete the hunting log under subd. 4.
NR 12.36(3)(b)7.7.‘Complaints.’ Upon receiving a written complaint from a hunter denied access, the county, its agent or the department shall review hunting access records required under this chapter to verify compliance. The county or its agent shall deny further abatement and claims assistance to the enrollee for the calendar year in which the violation occurred and the following calendar year upon verification that a violation of the hunter access requirements has occurred. In addition, an enrollee may be subject to the penalties in s. 29.889 (10), Stats.
NR 12.36(3)(b)8.8.‘Enrollee registration.’ An enrollee and his or her immediate family who live year round on the enrollee’s property shall register by signing in on the daily hunting access log when they hunt.
NR 12.36(3)(b)9.9.‘Parking.’ Enrollees shall ensure adequate parking exists with enough parking area to accommodate the minimum required number of hunters and shall clearly describe these arrangements to the hunters.
NR 12.36(4)(4)The county or the county’s agent shall maintain the current year’s list of all enrollees and enter information into data management systems provided or developed by the department.
NR 12.36(5)(5)Hunters may hunt only the species the enrollee is enrolled for unless the enrollee or landowner has expressly granted permission to hunt other species.
NR 12.36 NoteNote: Hunting other species or engaging in other activities not authorized by the enrollee or landowner may be considered trespass in violation of s. 943.13, Stats.
NR 12.36(6)(6)Enrollees may restrict hunting access of bear hunters using dogs if trespass on adjoining private properties is likely to occur.
NR 12.36(7)(7)Motorized vehicles may only be used or parked in areas authorized by the enrollee. Enrollees must offer safe parking accommodations to all hunters.
NR 12.36(8)(8)Access hunters may not use permanent deer stands on enrolled properties unless authorized by the enrollee. An access hunter may use his or her own portable stand, but it shall be removed daily at the end of shooting hours, unless otherwise authorized by the enrollee. When registering on the hunting log, the hunter shall certify that he or she holds the enrollee and landowner harmless from any injuries associated with the hunter’s hunting activity on the enrolled property, including any authorized use of hunting stands.
NR 12.36(10)(10)Posting. Enrollees may not post the enrolled land “no hunting” or “no trespassing” and shall remove any such existing signs. Enrollees may post their lands “hunting by permission only”.
NR 12.37(1)(a)(a) Wildlife damage claims may be paid only to persons owning or controlling land within the county of administration who also have authority to control entry on those lands for purposes of hunting.
NR 12.37(1)(b)(b) Row crops which are stranded by weather catastrophe over winter are not eligible for wildlife damage claims.
NR 12.37(1)(c)(c) Row and forage crops remaining unharvested after 90% of these crops have been harvested in the county are not in compliance with normal agricultural practices, as required by s. 29.889 (6) (dm), Stats.
NR 12.37(1)(d)(d) Wildlife damage claims shall be paid only to persons owning the eligible types of damaged crops stated in s. 29.889 (6) (em), Stats., if caused by any species included under s. 29.889, Stats.
NR 12.37(2)(a)(a) All wildlife damage claims approved by the county shall be filed with the department no later than March 1 following the calendar year in which the damage occurred.
NR 12.37(2)(b)(b) The department shall review and act on properly filed claims no later than June 1 following the calendar year in which the damage occurred.
NR 12.37(3)(3)If the approved claims exceed the funds available, claims shall be paid on a prorated basis. When prorating claims, the department shall pay a percent of each eligible claim equivalent to the percent of the total approved claim amount that can be paid with the total available funds.
NR 12.37(4)(a)(a) All claimants for damage payments, recognized and included in the county plan, shall meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
NR 12.37(4)(a)2.2. The crops subject to the claim were not planted or manipulated to attract deer, elk, turkey, bear or geese.
NR 12.37(4)(a)3.3. Unless otherwise provided by the county, the claimant shall have notified the county or its agent of his or her intent to harvest crops subject to damage but not less than 10 days prior to the harvest.
NR 12.37(4)(a)4.a.a. If a claimant has been issued a deer shooting permit under s. NR 12.16, the claimant has complied with the deer harvest objectives in s. NR 12.16 (2).
NR 12.37(4)(a)4.b.b. The county may adopt an exemption recommendation resulting from procedures described in s. NR 12.16 (2) (b) 2. for a permittee enrolled in the WDACP.
NR 12.37(4)(a)5.5. If an enrollee has participated in the WDACP the previous year, and had in excess of $1,000 of appraised deer losses in the previous year on contiguous land or land within the same section, as documented by the enrollee’s previous claims appraisal conducted by the respective county, or the county’s agent, to be eligible for claims the enrollee shall re-enroll in the WDACP by February 15 and shall comply with subd. 4.
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.6. The county shall, as a condition of providing claims assistance, require full cooperation and assistance of the enrollee. A county or its agent may deem an enrollee uncooperative if any of the following applies:
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.a.a. The enrollee fails to implement and maintain required abatement measures.
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.b.b. The enrollee fails to comply with reporting requirements,
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.c.c. The enrollee fails to properly operate and maintain abatement equipment.
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.d.d. The enrollee uses abusive or threatening language towards the county or its agent.
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.e.e. The enrollee fails to make a reasonable effort to respond to requests for hunting access.
NR 12.37(4)(a)6.f.f. The enrollee fails to comply with any other WDACP requirements.
NR 12.37(4)(b)(b) The county, in addition to requirements in par. (a), may establish further requirements deemed reasonable and necessary to administer this subchapter.
NR 12.37(4)(b)7.7. Uncooperative enrollees under subd. 6. shall be ineligible for program claims assistance for the remainder of the calendar year in which they were uncooperative and the following calendar year. Upon determining an enrollee is uncooperative and ineligible for further program assistance, the county or its agent shall notify the enrollee in writing that the enrollee’s program participation is terminated.
NR 12.37(5)(5)Crops subject to claims and payments under this subchapter and s. 29.889, Stats., shall be described in the plan.
NR 12.37(6)(6)In order to be eligible for claims, a claimant shall comply with the hunting access provisions described in s. NR 12.36.
NR 12.38NR 12.38Woven-wire barrier fence construction.
NR 12.38(1)(1)Specific applications and funding for woven-wire fences shall be approved by the department and county. Woven-wire fences are permanent, high-profile fences built to function 15 years or more.
NR 12.38(2)(2)Prior to granting its approval, the department shall verify all of the following:
NR 12.38(2)(a)(a) Deer or elk damage has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur on the lands of the applicant.
NR 12.38(2)(b)(b) The applicant is eligible to receive deer or elk damage claim payments.
NR 12.38(3)(3)Should it appear that the cost of providing woven-wire fences to applicants will exceed the funds available for abatement and claims, the department, in reviewing applications, shall grant priority after considering:
NR 12.38(3)(a)(a) The crops to be protected are continuing and long-term in nature, and the costs of future damage claims may exceed the cost of fence construction over the lifetime of the fence.
NR 12.38(3)(b)(b) The applicant has fully cooperated and assisted in applying recommended damage abatement measures.
NR 12.38(3)(c)(c) The landowner agrees to construct and maintain the fence for a period of time determined reasonable in the county plan.
NR 12.38(4)(4)The department, exercising reasonable judgment, shall base its decision on priority under sub. (3) on the criteria listed in sub. (3) and the best interest of the state, considering the costs of constructing the barrier fence, the projected amount of damages without the fence and the available funding.
NR 12.38(5)(a)(a) The county and its agent shall follow permanent barrier fence project development, contracting, bidding, funding, billing, and contract term inspection procedures detailed in the WDACP technical manual or as otherwise directed by the department.
NR 12.38(5)(b)(b) A permanent fence contract approved by the department shall be used by the county and its agent for any WDACP funded fence. In addition, the county and its agent may not solicit bids for a fence contract without written approval of the department. This contract shall be signed by the enrollee, the county and its agent, and the department prior to expenditure of program funds for fence costs.
NR 12.39(1)(1)In this section, “records” means books, documents, papers, accounting records, audits, and other evidence and accounting procedures and practices. This includes records in electronic and paper form.
NR 12.39(2)(2)The county is responsible for maintaining a financial management system which shall adequately provide for:
NR 12.39(2)(a)(a) Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial results of the program in accordance with department reporting requirements and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices, consistently applied, regardless of the source of funds.
NR 12.39(2)(b)(b) Effective control over and accountability for all project funds, property, and other assets.
NR 12.39(2)(c)(c) Comparison of actual budget amounts for the program.
NR 12.39(2)(d)(d) Procedures for determining the eligibility and allocability of costs in accordance with the plan of administration.
NR 12.39(2)(e)(e) Accounting records supported by source documentation.
NR 12.39(2)(f)(f) Audits to be made by the county or at the county’s direction to determine, at a minimum, the fiscal integrity of financial transactions and reports, and the compliance with the terms of the grant agreement. The county shall schedule such audits with reasonable frequency, usually annually, but not less frequently than once every 2 years, considering the nature, size and complexity of the activity.
NR 12.39(2)(g)(g) A systematic method to assure timely and appropriate resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
NR 12.39(3)(3)The following record and audit policies are applicable to all department grants and to all subagreements.
NR 12.39(3)(a)(a) The county shall maintain books, records, documents, and other evidence and accounting procedures and practices, sufficient to properly reflect:
NR 12.39(3)(a)1.1. The amount, receipt and disposition by the county of all assistance received for the project, including both state assistance and any matching share or cost sharing; and
/code/admin_code/nr/001/12trueadministrativecode/code/admin_code/nr/001/12/ii/36/8Department of Natural Resources (NR)Chs. NR 1-99; Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreationadministrativecode/NR 12.36(8)administrativecode/NR 12.36(8)sectiontrue
Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.
