NR 17.047
NR 17.047 Sources of captive wild animals for hound dog training. NR 17.047(1)(1)
Resident captive sources. Except as provided in this section, bobcat, coyote, fox, rabbit or raccoon used for hound dog training shall be obtained from a legal resident captive bred source.
NR 17.047(2)
(2)
Wild sources. No free-ranging wild animals captured from the wild may be used for hound dog training purposes, except:
NR 17.047(2)(a)
(a) Coyotes and raccoons that are live trapped on a Wisconsin licensed wild fur farm.
NR 17.047(3)
(3)
Transfer. Coyotes, raccoons, or rabbits live trapped under s.
NR 12.10 (1) (a) 5. and
(b) 1. and
5. may not be live trapped and relocated from one enclosure to another, unless the animal is transferred to the owner or operator of an enclosure with a valid hound dog training enclosure permit for that enclosure.
NR 17.047(4)
(4)
Nonresident captive source. Unless authorized by the department, captive wild animals from out of state may not be used within a hound dog training enclosure. If the department authorizes use of an imported captive animal for use in hound dog training enclosures, the animal shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection as required under s.
ATCP 10.06 and a copy of the certificate maintained with the records required to be kept under s.
NR 17.11 (2) (d) and a copy shall be provided to the department with quarterly reports required under s.
169.36 (9) (b), Stats. When determining whether to issue an authorization under this subsection, the department shall consider whether the animal originates from a state or country with suspected or known infectious wildlife diseases.
NR 17.047 Note
Note: To request the use of an imported captive wild animal, contact the state wildlife veterinarian, (608) 266-8204.
NR 17.047 History
History: CR 05-104: cr.
Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07;
CR 19-146: am. (2) (b), (3)
Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; correction in (2) (b), (3) made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register June 2020 No. 774.
NR 17.05
NR 17.05
Classes of dog training grounds. NR 17.05(1)(1)
Class 1 dog training grounds. Class 1 dog training grounds are those posted, marked or designated department lands where dog training is authorized year-round. Dog trainers may use equine animals where approved by the department or by posted notice. Class 1 dog training grounds include the following:
NR 17.05(1)(a)
(a) Richard Bong state recreation area — special use zone.
NR 17.05(1)(c)
(c) Lower Wisconsin River wildlife area — Mazomanie unit.
NR 17.05(1)(d)
(d) Kettle Moraine state forest — northern and Ottawa units.
NR 17.05(2)
(2)
Class 2 dog training grounds. Class 2 dog training grounds are those department lands not established in sub. (1), but are designated on the license and approved by the department. The department may deny or restrict dog training on department lands if dog training is determined to be inconsistent with the master plan, property plan, wildlife management objectives, or federal requirements.
NR 17.05 History
History: CR 03-031: cr.
Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03.
NR 17.06
NR 17.06
Bird dog trial license. NR 17.06(1)(1)
Authority. A bird dog trialing license authorizes the licensee and participants in an organized competitive field event that involves sporting dog breeds and that is sanctioned, licensed or recognized by a local, state, regional or national dog organization to possess and use for dog trialing only, 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. The license does not authorize commercial shoots involving any of the above species or the selling, breeding or propagation of bobwhite quail or mallard ducks.
NR 17.06 Note
Note: The selling, breeding or propagation of captive pheasants of the species
phasianus colchicus or
syrmaticus reevesii, gray partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge and quail of the subfamily
odontophorinae that are not bobwhite quail is allowed pursuant to ss.
169.08 (2),
169.10 (1) (b) and
(2) (a) 2., Stats. Commercial shoots may only take place as authorized by a bird hunting preserve license.
NR 17.06(2)
(2)
Conditions. The licensee and participants authorized by the bird dog trial license shall be subject to the following conditions:
NR 17.06(2)(a)
(a)
Display of license. A bird dog trial license shall be in the possession of the grounds marshal during dog trialing activities and made available to any authorized department agent upon request.
NR 17.06(2)(b)
(b)
Location. The licensee and participants may trial only on the properties identified on the license. The properties shall be identified by township, range, section and name of the property owner or by specific department property name.
NR 17.06(2)(c)
(c)
Property owner identification. The application shall include the name, address and phone number of the owners of the property where dogs are being trialed.
NR 17.06(2)(d)
(d)
Proof of legal possession. The licensee and participants using captive wild birds for dog trialing shall possess a receipt or invoice meeting the requirements of s.
NR 17.11 indicating the captive wild birds were purchased or obtained from a legal source. The licensee shall make the receipt or invoice available to any authorized department agent upon request.
NR 17.06(2)(e)
(e)
Care and treatment. Captive wild birds possessed for dog trial purposes shall be treated in a humane manner and confined under sanitary conditions with proper and adequate space, shade, food and fresh water. If birds are severely injured, they shall be humanely killed. Primary and transportation enclosures for captive wild birds shall meet the requirements in ss.
NR 16.30 and
16.38.
NR 17.06(2)(f)
(f)
Captive wild bird identification. Captive wild birds released and killed under the authority of a dog trial license do not have to be marked prior to release. Mallards shall be marked as required by
50 CFR 21.13(b).
NR 17.06(3)
(3)
Exceptions. Bird dog trial licenses are not required on licensed bird hunting preserves.
NR 17.06 History
History: CR 03-031: cr.
Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03.
NR 17.07
NR 17.07
Hound dog trial license. NR 17.07(1)(1)
Authority. A hound dog trialing license authorizes the licensee and participants in an organized competitive field event that involves sporting dog breeds and that is sanctioned, licensed or recognized by a local, state, regional or national dog organization to possess and use captive bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoons or rabbits for dog trialing purposes and use captive bear possessed under the authority of a captive wild animal farm license issued under s.
169.15, Stats., for dog trialing purposes. The license does not authorize commercial shoots or selling, breeding or propagating of animals or trialing of captive bear on department lands.
NR 17.07(2)
(2)
Conditions. The licensee and participants authorized by the hound dog trial license shall be subject to the following conditions:
NR 17.07(2)(a)
(a)
Display of license. The license shall be in possession of the master of hounds during the trial event. The license shall be made available to any authorized department agent upon request.
NR 17.07(2)(b)
(b)
Location. The licensee and participants may trial only on the properties identified on the license. The properties shall be identified by township, range, section and name of the property owner or by specific department property name.
NR 17.07(2)(c)
(c)
Property owner identification. The application shall include the name, address and phone number of the owners of the property where dogs are being trialed.
NR 17.07(2)(d)
(d)
Proof of legal possession. Any person using captive wild animals for dog trialing shall possess a receipt or invoice meeting the requirements of s.
NR 17.11 and indicating the captive animals were purchased or obtained from a licensed captive wild animal farm, wild fur farm or other legal source. The licensee shall make the receipt or invoice available to any authorized department agent upon request.
NR 17.07(3)(a)(a)
Captive coyote, fox and rabbit. Captive coyote, fox and rabbit obtained in accordance with s.
NR 17.047 and possessed for dog trialing purposes may only be used within a hound dog training enclosure that is permitted and that meets the requirements established under s.
NR 17.045.
NR 17.07(3)(b)
(b)
Captive bear, bobcat and raccoon. Captive bear, bobcat and raccoon obtained in accordance with s.
NR 17.047 may be used for dog trials provided:
NR 17.07(3)(b)1.
1. The bear is possessed under authority of a captive wild animal farm license.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.
3. The bear, bobcat or raccoon is kept in a cage at all times. The cage shall be constructed so that:
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.a.
a. The cage is strong enough to contain the bear, bobcat or raccoon securely and comfortably and to withstand the normal rigors of training or trials.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.b.
b. The interior of the cage has no sharp points or edges and no protrusions that could injure the bear, bobcat or raccoon contained in it.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.c.
c. The bear, bobcat or raccoon is at all times securely contained within a cage in a way that it is not likely to result in injury to itself, to handlers, or to persons or animals nearby.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.d.
d. The cage containing the bear has a mesh size no greater than 2 inches square.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.e.
e. The cage shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow the bear, bobcat or raccoon to make normal postural adjustments with adequate freedom of movement to sit, stand on all 4 legs, turn around and lie in a normal manner.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.f.
f. The cage shall be designed to allow urine and feces to drain from the cage.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.g.
g. Permanent devices such as handles or handholds shall be provided on the exterior that enables the cage to be lifted and ensures that anyone handling the cage will not come into physical contact with the bear, bobcat or raccoon contained inside.
NR 17.07(3)(b)3.h.
h. When the cage is elevated in a tree or on a pole for training or trial purposes, the cage shall be raised a minimum of 10 feet off the ground.
NR 17.07(3)(b)4.
4. All individuals except the owner of the captive animal, the owner's designee or the dog handler shall be kept at least 4 feet from the cage. For bear, a barrier shall be provided to assure that individuals other than the owner, designee or handlers are kept 4 feet from the cage.
NR 17.07(3)(b)5.
5. Dogs shall be kept a minimum of one foot from the cage at all times by restraint, cage design or barrier fence except where the cage is covered by solid material, which prevents all physical contact between the dog and the captive animal. The one foot minimum distance does not apply to raccoon training with the use of roll cages.
NR 17.07(3)(b)7.
7. The bear, bobcat or raccoon shall have access to fresh water.
NR 17.07(3)(b)8.
8. Roll cages may not be used for dog training with bear or bobcat.
NR 17.07(3)(c)
(c)
Training periods. The length of time that captive wild bear, bobcat, coyote, fox or raccoon may be used for training exercises may not exceed 12 hours within a 24-hour period. Captive wild bear, bobcat, coyote, fox and raccoon shall be provided with a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of rest within a 24-hour period, when no dog training or trialing may take place. Additionally, a bear, bobcat or raccoon used for training, may not be housed in an enclosure that does not meet the primary enclosure standards in s.
NR 16.30 (4) for a period of more than 72 hours.
NR 17.07 History
History: CR 03-031: cr.
Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03;
CR 05-031: am. (2) (a)
Register November 2005 No. 599, eff. 12-1-05;
CR 05-104: am. (1), r. and recr. (3),
Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07.
NR 17.08
NR 17.08
Dog trialing on free roaming wild animals and additional restrictions on dogs. NR 17.08(1)(1)
Authority. Except as described in subs. (2) and (3), any person may trial dogs on free-roaming wild animals without a dog trialing license.
NR 17.08(2)(a)(a)
Department lands. On department lands open to public hunting that are not designated open to dog trialing under s.
NR 17.10, 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 17.08(2)(b)
(b)
Northern restricted zone. Dog trialing on any free roaming wild animal is prohibited May 1 to June 30 on all lands north of the highway described in s.
NR 10.07 (1) (i) except as described in sub. (3) (a).
NR 17.08(2)(c)
(c)
Bear dog trialing. A person may not use dogs to pursue wild bear for dog trialing purposes except as provided in sub. (3) (c).
NR 17.08(2)(d)
(d)
Killing wild animals. No person engaged in trialing dogs may kill or cause to be killed any free roaming wild animal including unprotected wild animals unless otherwise authorized.
NR 17.08(3)(a)(a)
Northern restricted zone hound dog trialing on raccoon and rabbits. An individual may trial dogs on captive or free-roaming raccoons and rabbits May 1 to June 30 provided all the following apply:
NR 17.08(3)(a)1.
1. The individual applies for and receives a hound dog trial license.
NR 17.08(3)(a)2.
2. The location of the master of hounds and the name of any approved state properties where the dog trials are to be held shall be listed on the hound dog trial license.
NR 17.08 Note
Note: Private lands need not be listed on the trial license.
NR 17.08(3)(a)3.
3. The applicant complies with any restrictions placed on a license to prevent the intentional or unintentional pursuit of wild bear.
NR 17.08(3)(b)
(b)
Hound dog trialing on free-roaming raccoons and rabbit. Except where prohibited by s.
NR 45.06, from July 1 through the following April 14, hound dogs may be trialed on free-roaming raccoons and rabbits on department lands without a leash.
NR 17.08(3)(c)
(c)
Bear dog trialing. 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 or B bear license issued under s.
29.184, Stats., and:
NR 17.08(3)(c)1.
1. Each dog is uniquely tattooed or wears a collar with the owner's name and address attached.
NR 17.08(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 17.08(3)(c)3.
3. Trialing during the open season for hunting bears only occurs during the hours when it is also legal to hunt bears with dogs as established in ch.
NR 10.
NR 17.08 Note
Note: A hound dog trial license issued under ch.
169, Stats., is not required to trial 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 participate in a trial during these periods. Bear may be hunted with the aid of dogs during the seasons described in s.
NR 10.01 (3) (g).
NR 17.08(4)
(4)
Revocations. Pursuant to s.
169.45 (7), Stats., the department may revoke a dog trialing license issued under s.
169.21, Stats., when dogs owned or under control of the licensee 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 17.08 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. (2) (c), (3) (c) (intro.), cr. (2) (c) 3.
Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13;
CR 23-025: am. (3) (c) (intro.) Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24. NR 17.09
NR 17.09
Dog trials on department lands. NR 17.09(1)(1)
Applications. Applications shall be made before March 1 for trials held on or prior to July 31 and before July 1 for trials held after July 31 to coordinate scheduling with other events. Thereafter, applications for open dates shall be considered by the department on a first-come, first-served basis and shall be submitted at least 10 days prior to the date of the trial.
NR 17.09(2)
(2)
Department stock. Captive wild pheasants provided by the department may only be used on department lands and may not be shot at dog trials unless authorized by the department. Live game birds provided by the department shall be released on the trial grounds at the end of the event. All animals, which are no longer alive, shall be consumed or promptly disposed.
NR 17.09(3)
(3)
Grounds condition. The department may cancel or reschedule dog trial events and restrict or prohibit dog trial equine or vehicle use if excessive damage occurs or is likely to occur to soils or vegetation on department lands. License fees shall be refunded if a trial is canceled by the department and an alternative site or date cannot be established.
NR 17.09(4)
(4)
Litter. The licensee, at the completion of the field trial, shall remove all waste material including field trial markers.
NR 17.09(5)
(5)
Grounds marshal. A grounds marshal or master of hounds responsible for the dog trial coordination, supervision, clean up and regulation compliance shall be designated by the licensee for each field trial.
NR 17.09(6)
(6)
Equines. Equines may be used only as authorized by the trial license.
NR 17.09 History
History: CR 03-031: cr.
Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03.
NR 17.10
NR 17.10
Classes of field trial grounds. NR 17.10(1)(1)
Class 1 field trial grounds. Class 1 field trial grounds are those posted, marked or designated department lands where dog trials are authorized year-round, except hunting shall have priority. Class 1 field trial grounds include the following:
