Chapter NR 17

NR 17.02 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 05-104: am. (1), r. and recr. (3), Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07; CR 10-051: am. (3) (a) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11.

NR 17.03 NR 17.03 Dog club training license.

NR 17.03(1) (1) Authority. A dog club training license authorizes the club members to possess and use captive wild pheasants of the species phasianus colchicus or syrmaticus reevesii, quail of the subfamily odontophorinae, gray partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge, and mallard ducks that are bred in captivity for bird dog training. A dog club training license authorizes the club members to possess and use captive wild bobcat, coyote, fox, rabbits and raccoons in accordance with the provisions outlined in ss. NR 17.02 (3) and 17.045 for hound dog training. The license does not authorize the use of captive bear, commercial shoots, animal selling, breeding or propagation.

NR 17.03 Note Note: Pursuant to s. 29.304, Stats., no one under the age of 12 may possess a firearm. A person under the age of 12 may be a member of a dog training club and may train dogs with the use of captive wild animals as authorized under the dog training club license, but may not possess a firearm as part of the training activity.

NR 17.03 Note Note: Unintentional reproduction of rabbits in pens is not a violation of this section.

NR 17.03 Note Note: The unintentional breeding of rabbits in training enclosures is not a violation of this section.

NR 17.03(2) (2) Conditions. When training under the authority of the dog club training license, the licensee and its members shall be subject to all of the following conditions:

NR 17.03(2)(a) (a) Display of license. Be in possession of a dog club training license at the clubhouse or training grounds where the training activity is occurring. If a club member is engaged in training activities but not within one-quarter mile of the clubhouse, the member shall be in possession of a copy of the club training license. Club members shall make the license available to any authorized department agent upon request. For dog clubs utilizing a hound dog training enclosure permitted under s. NR 17.045, a ledger of all club members shall be kept at the enclosure and provided to the department upon request.

NR 17.03(2)(b) (b) Location. Train only on the properties identified on the license. The properties shall be identified by township, range, section and name of the property owner.

NR 17.03(2)(c) (c) Proof of legal possession. Any licensee or its members using captive wild birds or wild animals for dog training shall possess a receipt or invoice meeting the requirements of s. NR 17.11 indicating the captive birds or animals were purchased or obtained from a legal source. Club members shall make the receipt or invoice available to any authorized department agent upon request.

NR 17.03(2)(d) (d) Care and treatment. Captive wild birds, bobcat, coyote, fox, rabbits and raccoons possessed for dog training purposes shall be treated in a humane manner and confined under sanitary conditions with proper and adequate space, shade, food and fresh water. Individuals using captive wild birds or animals for training purposes are responsible for following all rules pertaining to the use of birds for dog training purposes under s. NR 17.01 and all rules established under s. NR 17.02 for hound dog training under the authority of a dog club training license.

NR 17.03(2)(e) (e) Captive wild bird identification. All captive wild birds specified in s. 169.19 (2) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., except mallards identified as required under 50 CFR 21.13 (b), chukar partridge, and red-legged partridge released and killed under the authority of a dog training license shall, prior to release, be marked around the leg with a band supplied by the department.

NR 17.03(2)(f) (f) Bird bands. No person may have on their person while engaged in dog training any unused department dog training bird bands. Birds that are not banded or identified as required in par. (e) may not be killed during training exercises.

NR 17.03 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 05-104: am. (1) (2) (a) and (d), r. (2) (d) 1. to 4. and (g), Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07.

NR 17.04 NR 17.04 Dog training on free roaming wild animals and additional restrictions on dogs.

NR 17.04(1) (1) Authority. Except as described in subs. (2) and (3), any person may train dogs on free-roaming wild animals without a dog training license.

NR 17.04(2) (2) Prohibitions.

NR 17.04(2)(a) (a) Department lands. On department lands open to public hunting that are not designated open to dog training under s. NR 17.05, dogs shall be controlled by a person using a leash which is no more than 8 feet in length from April 15 through July 31 except as described in sub. (3).

NR 17.04(2)(b) (b) Northern restricted zone. Dog training on any free roaming wild animal is prohibited May 1 to June 30 on all lands within the northern restricted zone except as described in sub. (3) (a).

NR 17.04(2)(c) (c) Bear dog training. A person may not use dogs to pursue wild bear except as provided in sub. (3) (c).

NR 17.04(2)(d) (d) Killing wild animals. No person engaged in training dogs may kill or cause to be killed any free roaming wild animal including unprotected wild animals as defined in s. NR 19.001 (17) without department approval.

NR 17.04(3) (3) Exceptions.

NR 17.04(3)(a) (a) Northern restricted zone hound dog training on raccoon and rabbits. A person may train dogs on captive or free-roaming raccoons and rabbits in the northern restricted zone May 1 to June 30 provided all the following apply:

NR 17.04(3)(a)1. 1. The licensee applies for and receives a hound dog training license.

NR 17.04(3)(a)2. 2. The licensee shall list no more than 3 townships in the same or adjoining counties.

NR 17.04(3)(a)3. 3. The department approves the property locations listed.

NR 17.04(3)(a)4. 4. No more than 2 dogs in a single pack may be used to pursue raccoon or rabbit regardless of the number of persons assisting or accompanying the hound dog training license holder and regardless of the dog ownership.

NR 17.04(3)(a)5. 5. The licensee complies with any restrictions placed on a license to prevent the intentional or unintentional pursuit of wild bear.

NR 17.04(3)(b) (b) Hound dog training on free-roaming raccoons and rabbit. Except where prohibited by s. NR 45.06, from July 1 to the following April 14th, hound dogs may be trained on free-roaming raccoons and rabbits on department lands without a leash.

NR 17.04(3)(c) (c) Bear dog training. Except where prohibited by s. NR 45.06, an individual may use dogs to pursue wild bear without a leash from July 1 to August 31 and at times when the season for hunting bears is open in places where it is legal to hunt bear with aid of dogs provided the individual possesses a class A bear license issued under s. 29.184, Stats., and:

NR 17.04(3)(c)1. 1. Each dog is uniquely tattooed or wears a collar with the owner’s name and address attached.

NR 17.04(3)(c)2. 2. No more than 6 dogs in a single pack may be used to pursue bear regardless of the number of persons assisting the bear hunting licensee and regardless of the dog ownership.

NR 17.04(3)(c)3. 3. Training during the open season for hunting bears only occurs during the hours when it is also legal to shoot bears while hunting with dogs as established in ch. NR 10.

NR 17.04 Note Note: A hound dog training license issued under ch. 169, Stats., is not required to train on free roaming bear during the July 1 to August 31 bear dog training period or as authorized by s. 29.184 (3m), Stats. A class A or B bear hunting license is required to train during these periods. Bear may be hunted with the aid of dogs during the seasons described in s. NR 10.01 (3) (g).

NR 17.04(4) (4) Revocations. Pursuant to s. 169.45 (7), Stats., the department may revoke a dog training license issued under s. 169.20, Stats., when dogs are found to be running bear in the northern restricted zone at times other than the July 1 to August 31 bear dog training period established under s. NR 10.101 (2) (b).

NR 17.04 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 08-011: am. (2) (b) Register September 2008 No. 633, eff. 2-1-09; CR 08-021: am. (3) (a) (intro.) Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08; CR 13-021: am. (3) (c) (intro.), cr. (3) (c) 3. Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; CR 19-146: am. (3) (c) (intro.), 3. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 17.045 NR 17.045 Hound dog training enclosure permit.

NR 17.045(1) (1) Enclosure inspection and permit.

NR 17.045(1)(a) (a) Conditions. The owner or operator of a hound dog training enclosure shall be at least 18 years of age to apply for and obtain an approved hound dog training enclosure permit from the department prior to using or releasing any captive wild animals or dogs into the enclosure for dog training or trialing purposes. The department shall inspect every hound dog training enclosure for which it has received a permit application. The department shall issue a permit to an applicant if it finds that the facility meets the requirements of this section and s. NR 17.11. Enclosures that do not meet the requirements of this section may not be issued a permit but may reapply for inspection after 30 days. No person may train, trial or otherwise release dogs into an enclosure containing captive wild animals unless a valid hound dog training enclosure permit is possessed by the owner or operator of the enclosure. An owner or operator shall obtain a separate hound dog training enclosure permit for each enclosure they own or operate. A hound dog training enclosure permitted under this section, may not be licensed under s. 169.15, Stats., as a captive wild animal farm, or as a wild fur farm under s. 169.18, Stats.

NR 17.045(1)(b) (b) Initial applicability. Any person operating a hound dog training enclosure prior to July 1, 2007, may continue to operate provided they apply for a hound dog training enclosure permit under this section no later than December 31, 2007. After December 31, 2007, no person may operate a hound dog training enclosure without first obtaining a hound dog training enclosure permit.

NR 17.045(1)(c) (c) Fee. There is no fee for issuance of a hound dog training enclosure permit.

NR 17.045(1)(d) (d) Removal of animals.

NR 17.045(1)(d)1. 1. Any wild fox present in any new enclosure shall be live trapped and released outside of the enclosure or killed and removed as authorized under ch. 29, Stats., and ch. NR 10 or 12, prior to inspection by the department.

NR 17.045(1)(d)2. 2. Any wild coyote present in any new enclosure shall be killed and removed as authorized under ch. 29, Stats., and ch. NR 10 and 12, or shall be live trapped in accordance with s. NR 17.047 (2) (b) and marked in accordance with sub. (5) (b).

NR 17.045 Note Note: Verification of coyote or fox removal will be agreed upon by the department and the owner or operator. Snow cover may be necessary to confirm removal of fox and coyote.

NR 17.045(1)(e) (e) Presence of other animals. Captive wild animals, other than the species specifically permitted under this section, may not be maintained in the same enclosure. An enclosure may only be permitted for one species.

NR 17.045(1)(f) (f) Killing of captive animals. A hound dog training enclosure permit authorizes the killing of captive wild animals only by the holder of the permit, or an employee of the permit holder.

NR 17.045(1)(g) (g) Compliance with local regulations. No initial enclosure permit application may be approved unless the application is accompanied by written assurance that the enclosure is in compliance with local ordinances and zoning regulations.

NR 17.045(1)(h) (h) Expiration. A hound dog training enclosure permit shall remain valid until the date indicated on the permit provided the facility remains in compliance with this section. The expiration date of a hound dog training enclosure permit shall be the same as the expiration date of the dog training or trialing license held by the owner or operator or club under sub. (2).

NR 17.045(2) (2) License requirements.

NR 17.045(2)(a) (a) Hound dog training license. Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), the owner or operator of any hound dog training enclosure and every person participating in the training of hound dogs within a hound dog training enclosure shall possess a valid hound dog training license.

NR 17.045(2)(b) (b) Dog club training license. If the owner or operator of the hound dog training enclosure possesses a valid dog club training license, the members of that club are not required to possess individual hound dog training licenses.

NR 17.045(2)(c) (c) Hound dog trial license. If the owner or operator of the hound dog training enclosure or an individual participating in a organized competitive field trial event possesses a valid hound dog trial license, the participants in the event are not required to possess a hound dog training license for that event.

NR 17.045(3) (3) Care and housing. Hound dog training enclosures shall meet the following requirements:

NR 17.045(3)(a) (a) Food, water and cover. All hound dog training enclosures shall provide the necessary natural or artificial habitat and meet the food, water and cover requirements of a coyote, fox or rabbit. Conditions are subject to approval by the department.

NR 17.045(3)(b) (b) Acclimation period. No dogs may be released into an enclosure that is used to train dogs to pursue coyotes or fox until the 7th day following the release of a new coyote or fox into an enclosure. No dogs may be released into an enclosure that is used for training dogs to pursue rabbits until the 2nd day following the release of a new rabbit into the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(c) (c) Intent of training.

NR 17.045(3)(c)1. 1. Dogs may not be released into an enclosure with the intent to kill or physically injure the captive coyote, fox or rabbit. Any coyote or fox injured during a dog training exercise shall be submitted to a veterinarian for treatment at the owner or operator’s expense, or euthanized and shall be reported to the department within 24 hours.

NR 17.045(3)(c)2. 2. Injured or debilitated coyote, fox or rabbits shall not be maintained in the hound dog training enclosure.

NR 17.045 Note Note: To report an injury or death of a coyote or fox resulting from a dog training exercise, individuals shall contact their local warden or call the 24 hour department law enforcement hotline [phone].

NR 17.045(3)(d) (d) Supervision. Whenever dogs are released into or present in a hound dog training enclosure, the owner or operator of the enclosure or one or more competent individuals designated by the owner or operator shall be present at the enclosure and actively directing attention to the training activity. For the purposes of this paragraph, competent means that the individuals are knowledgeable of regulations of this chapter and are capable of controlling the dogs released into the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(e) (e) Enclosure size.

NR 17.045(3)(e)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the minimum size of a hound dog training enclosure for coyote and fox shall be 75 contiguous completely fenced acres without interior fences that divide the area into parcels less than 75 acres.

NR 17.045(3)(e)2. 2. A hound dog training enclosure used to train inexperienced dogs may be less than 75 acres provided the owner or operator also holds a permit for a facility that meets the requirements of subd. 1., for experienced dogs and complies with the following conditions:

NR 17.045(3)(e)2.a. a. May not be less than 15 acres in size, except as provided in subd. 2. b.

NR 17.045(3)(e)2.b. b. Existing enclosures in operation and used under a hound dog training license for training inexperienced dogs on coyote or fox on or before October 1, 2006 may be less than 15 acres in size.

NR 17.045(3)(e)2.c. c. Shall be within 2 miles of the enclosure meeting the requirements established in subd. 1.

NR 17.045(3)(e)3. 3. The minimum size for hound dog training enclosures for rabbits shall be 0.5 acres.

NR 17.045(3)(f) (f) Fences.

NR 17.045(3)(f)1. 1. ‘Coyote and fox.’

NR 17.045(3)(f)1.a. a. Perimeter fences used to confine coyote or fox within a hound dog training enclosure shall be a minimum of 6 feet in height, with a minimum of 12-inches of additional fence material bent inward at a 90 degree angle at the top and the bottom of the fence. The bottom 12-inch section of fence shall be in contact with the ground and secured to the ground to prevent coyotes and fox from entering or leaving the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(f)1.b. b. The outside of the perimeter fence shall either include a minimum of 12 inches of additional fence material bent outward at a 90 degree angle at the bottom of the fence, or a single strand electric fence may be used to prevent wild coyotes and fox from entering the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(f)1.c. c. The fence material shall be of sufficient design and strength to prevent captive coyote and fox from escape or wild coyote or fox from entering the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(f)1.d. d. A corridor at least 4 feet wide shall be maintained on the inside or outside of the perimeter fence to allow for easy access and inspection of the fence by the owner or operator and the department by use of an ATV or other vehicle. The corridor does not need to be located immediately adjacent to the fence but shall be close enough to the fence to allow easy access to and visual inspection of the fence.

NR 17.045(3)(f)1.e. e. Existing enclosures in operation and used under a hound dog training license on or before October 1, 2006 are exempt from subd. 1. b. until the perimeter fence is replaced.

NR 17.045(3)(f)2. 2. ‘Rabbits.’

NR 17.045(3)(f)2.a. a. Perimeter fences used to confine rabbits within a hound dog training enclosure shall be a minimum of 5 feet in height, including any part of the fence that is buried, or bent inward or outward at the bottom of the fence.

NR 17.045(3)(f)2.b. b. The fence material shall be of sufficient design and strength to prevent captive rabbits from escape or wild rabbits from entering the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(f)2.c. c. A corridor at least 4 feet wide shall be maintained on the inside or outside of the perimeter fence to allow for easy access and inspection of the fence by the owner or operator and the department by use of an ATV or other vehicle. The corridor does not need to be located immediately adjacent to the fence but shall be close enough to the fence to allow easy access to and visual inspection of the fence.

NR 17.045(3)(f)3. 3. ‘Exceptions.’ The use of materials or specifications, other than those specified in this paragraph may be permitted by the department if the materials or specifications are found by the department to exceed minimum specifications and the fence is sufficient to hold the coyote, fox or rabbit.

NR 17.045 Note Note: The department recommends approval of fence plans prior to construction to assure that the fence meets the requirements in s. NR 17.045 (3) (f). To obtain approval of plans, contact the local conservation warden or wildlife biologist. To find the conservation warden for a given county, contact your local DNR service center.

NR 17.045(3)(g) (g) Gates. All gates shall remain closed and secured to prevent escape of captive animals and unauthorized access and opening of the gates, except when authorized persons, dogs or equipment are traveling through the gate.

NR 17.045(3)(h) (h) Refuge areas.

NR 17.045(3)(h)1. 1. No person may molest, harass or chase a captive coyote or fox utilizing a refuge area.

NR 17.045(3)(h)2. 2. Coyote and fox. Captive animal refuge areas shall be available or provided for coyote and fox at a rate of not less than one area for each captive animal within the enclosure and not less than one per full 15 acres. Each refuge area shall be readily available to any coyote or fox held inside the hound dog training enclosure and may not be located immediately adjacent to any other refuge area. All minimum required captive animal refuge areas shall be evenly distributed throughout the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(h)3. 3. Rabbits. Sufficient barrier areas shall be provided for rabbits held within an enclosure to provide refuge and escape areas for all of the rabbits held within the enclosure.

NR 17.045(3)(i) (i) Density of captive animals. No less than 2 coyote or fox may be present in a hound dog training enclosure, and no more than 2 coyote or fox may be present per each full 15 acres in a hound dog training enclosure.

NR 17.045(4) (4) Disease prevention. At the time of inspection, the department may require specific health management procedures as deemed necessary, including mandatory disease investigation, testing and disease reporting. The department will contact the owner or operator if additional health management procedures are deemed necessary after a permit is issued. In addition, the enclosure owner or operator shall agree to all of the following:

NR 17.045(4)(a) (a) Fees.