AB934: Bill Text

This bill provides that an archer hunting license authorizes hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow.

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources issues resident and nonresident crossbow hunting licenses that authorize hunting only with a crossbow. DNR issues separate resident and nonresident archer licenses that authorize hunting with a bow and arrow. Current law also provides that, if DNR establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear with a bow and arrow only, it must also establish an open season for hunting that animal with a crossbow.

The bill eliminates the resident and nonresident crossbow licenses and provides that resident and nonresident archer licenses authorize hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow. The bill increases the fee for both archer licenses by $1. The bill provides that, if DNR establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear with a bow and arrow or crossbow but not with a firearm, DNR must allow the use of both bow and arrow and crossbow for hunting during the same open season.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AB934,,4 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB934,1 Section 1. 29.014 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,6 29.014 (1m) (b) If the department establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear with a bow and arrow or crossbow but not with a firearm, the department shall also establish an open season for permit the hunting of the respective game with both a bow and arrow and a crossbow during the open season.

AB934,2 Section 2. 29.171 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,8 29.171 (2) A resident archer hunting license authorizes the hunting of all game, except bear, elk, and wild turkey, during the open seasons established by the department for hunting that game with bow and arrow or crossbow.

AB934,3 Section 3. 29.172 of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,4 Section 4. 29.185 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,11 29.185 (2) (b) Archer licenses, crossbow licenses, and trapping licenses. Notwithstanding ss. 29.171 (2), 29.172 (2), 29.216 (2), 29.217 (2), and 29.241 (3), a resident archer hunting license, a nonresident archer hunting license, a resident crossbow hunting license, a nonresident crossbow hunting license, or a trapping license does not authorize the hunting or trapping of wolves.

AB934,5 Section 5. 29.216 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,13 29.216 (2) Authorization. The nonresident archer hunting license authorizes the hunting of all game, except bear, elk, wild turkey, and fur-bearing animals, during the open season for the hunting of that game with a bow and arrow or crossbow.

AB934,6 Section 6. 29.217 of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,7 Section 7. 29.235 (2) (dm) of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,8 Section 8. 29.235 (2m) (dm) of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,9 Section 9. 29.563 (2) (a) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,18 29.563 (2) (a) 8. Archer: $21.25 $22.25.

AB934,10 Section 10. 29.563 (2) (a) 8r. of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,11 Section 11. 29.563 (2) (a) 8t. of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,12 Section 12. 29.563 (2) (b) 6. of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, is amended to read:

AB934,,22 29.563 (2) (b) 6. Archer: $162.25 $163.25.

AB934,13 Section 13. 29.563 (2g) of the statutes is repealed.

AB934,14 Section 14. 29.563 (12) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,25 29.563 (12) (a) 2. Archer, crossbow, sports, or conservation patron, except as provided in subd. 2m: $11.25.

AB934,15 Section 15. 29.563 (12m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,27 29.563 (12m) Duplicates of reduced fee approvals. Notwithstanding the fees specified under sub. (12) (a) and (b), a person who was issued an approval and charged the reduced fee specified under sub. (2g) or (6m) may not be charged a fee for a duplicate of that approval that exceeds the fee specified for the approval under sub. (2g) or (6m).

AB934,16 Section 16. 29.593 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,29 29.593 (1) (b) A certificate of accomplishment issued to a person for successfully completing the course under the bow hunter education program only authorizes the person to obtain a resident archer hunting license, or a nonresident archer hunting license, a resident crossbow hunting license, or a nonresident crossbow hunting license.

AB934,17 Section 17. 29.593 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB934,,31 29.593 (2m) A person who has a certificate, license, or other evidence that is satisfactory to the department indicating that he or she has successfully completed in another state, country, or province a bow hunter education course recognized by the department may obtain an archer hunting license or crossbow hunting license.

AB934,18 Section 18. Effective date.

AB934,,33 (1) This act takes effect on March 1, 2024.

AB934,,34 (end)