Chapter 29

29.055 29.055 Wild animals; possession in closed season or in excess of bag limit. Except as expressly provided in this chapter, no person may have in the person’s possession or under the person’s control, or have in storage, any wild animal or carcass that was taken during the closed season for that wild animal or that is in excess of the bag or possession limit or contrary to the size limits for that wild animal. The open and closed seasons and the bag, possession and size limits of the state, province or country in which a wild animal was taken shall apply to the wild animal or the carcass if it was lawfully killed outside of this state. This section does not apply to farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, farm-raised game birds, or wild animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.

29.055 History History: 1975 c. 360, 421; 1993 a. 410; 1997 a. 248 s. 502; Stats. 1997 s. 29.055; 2001 a. 56.

29.057 29.057 Wild animals; possession in open season. It is unlawful to possess or control at any time a protected wild animal or the carcass of any protected wild animal showing that it was taken during the closed season for the protected wild animal. This section does not apply to farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, farm-raised game birds, or wild animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.

29.057 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 503; Stats. 1997 s. 29.057; 2001 a. 56.

29.059 29.059 Reports of hunters. Each person to whom a hunting or trapping license has been issued shall, upon request by the department, report to the department, on forms furnished by it, the number of the person’s license, the number and kind of each animal taken by the licensee and other information that the department requires.

29.059 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 248 s. 282; Stats. 1997 s. 29.059.

29.063 29.063 Management of chronic wasting disease.

29.063(1) (1) The department may manage, and provide funding to conduct testing for, chronic wasting disease in cervids.

29.063(2) (2) If the department designates an area as a chronic wasting disease eradication zone, the department shall provide notice and information to the public that is adequate to inform the public prior to the commencement of hunting that hunting of cervids to control the spread of the disease will occur in that zone.

29.063(3) (3) To control chronic wasting disease, the department may promulgate rules regulating the transportation, possession, control, storage, or disposal of the carcass of a cervid in this state, except that the rules may not apply to any of the following:

29.063(3)(a) (a) Meat that is cut and wrapped, either commercially or privately.

29.063(3)(b) (b) Quarters or other portions of meat to which no part of the spinal column or head is attached.

29.063(3)(c) (c) Meat that has been deboned.

29.063(3)(d) (d) Hides with no heads attached.

29.063(3)(e) (e) Finished taxidermy heads.

29.063(3)(f) (f) Antlers with no meat or tissue attached.

29.063(3)(g) (g) Skulls with antlers attached and with no meat or tissue attached.

29.063(3)(h) (h) Upper canine teeth.

29.063(4) (4) The department may promulgate rules prohibiting the transportation of the carcass of a cervid from another state or country in which chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in a cervid, except that the rules may not apply to any of the following:

29.063(4)(a) (a) Meat that is cut and wrapped, either commercially or privately.

29.063(4)(b) (b) Quarters or other portions of meat to which no part of the spinal column or head is attached.

29.063(4)(c) (c) Meat that has been deboned.

29.063(4)(d) (d) Hides with no heads attached.

29.063(4)(e) (e) Finished taxidermy heads.

29.063(4)(f) (f) Antlers with no meat or tissue attached.

29.063(4)(g) (g) Skulls with antlers attached and with no meat or tissue attached.

29.063(4)(h) (h) Upper canine teeth.

29.063(5) (5) The department may exempt deer hunters from obtaining a license under this chapter for the hunting of deer in an area that the department has designated by rule as a chronic wasting disease control zone. Deer hunters that are exempted under this subsection shall be at least 10 years of age, except that a person born on or after January 1, 1973, may not hunt deer under this subsection unless he or she complies with ss. 29.304 and 29.593. A deer hunter exempted under this subsection who is under 12 years of age is subject to the restrictions specified under s. 29.592. The department shall by rule establish eligibility criteria and application procedures for receipt of an exemption under this subsection, including a method for obtaining a permit to hunt deer without a license under this subsection.

29.063(6) (6) 

29.063(6)(a) (a) In this subsection:

29.063(6)(a)1. 1. “Landfill” means a solid waste facility, as defined in s. 289.01 (35), for solid waste disposal, as defined in s. 289.01 (34), licensed under s. 289.31.

29.063(6)(a)2. 2. “Meat processing facility” means a plant or premises where animals are slaughtered for human consumption, or where meat or meat products are processed, but does not include rendering plants.

29.063(6)(a)3. 3. “Wastewater treatment facility” means a plant or premises used to treat industrial wastewater or domestic wastewater or any combination of industrial wastewater and domestic wastewater and permitted pursuant to ch. 283.

29.063(6)(b) (b) Subject to par. (c), the department or the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection may enter into agreements with persons who own or operate landfills, meat processing facilities, or wastewater treatment facilities in which this state agrees to indemnify those persons and their employees, officers, and agents against liability for damage to persons, property, or the environment resulting from the processing or disposal of carcasses of cervids and farm-raised deer that have chronic wasting disease.

29.063(6)(c) (c) The department or the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection may enter into an agreement under par. (b) only if all of the following apply:

29.063(6)(c)1. 1. The governor approves the agreement.

29.063(6)(c)2. 2. The agreement specifies a method for determining whether the landfill, meat processing facility, or wastewater treatment facility is liable for damage described in par. (b).

29.063(6)(c)3. 3. The agreement requires the landfill, meat processing facility, or wastewater treatment facility to notify the department that entered into the agreement and the attorney general when a claim or lawsuit to which the agreement may apply is filed.

29.063(6)(c)4. 4. The agreement authorizes the attorney general to intervene on behalf of the landfill, meat processing facility, or wastewater treatment facility and this state in any lawsuit to which the agreement may apply.

29.063(6)(c)5. 5. The agreement requires the owner or operator of the landfill, meat processing facility, or wastewater treatment facility to minimize risks related to processing or disposal of carcasses of cervids and farm-raised deer that have chronic wasting disease.

29.063(6)(c)6. 6. The agreement authorizes the department that entered into the agreement to require the owner or operator of the landfill, meat processing facility, or wastewater treatment facility to operate in a manner specified in writing by that department to minimize risks related to processing or disposal of carcasses of cervids and farm-raised deer that have chronic wasting disease.

29.063(6)(d) (d) This subsection and any agreement entered into under par. (b) may not be construed as consent to sue this state.

29.063(6)(e) (e) If a claim is filed under an agreement under par. (b), the department that entered into the agreement shall review the claim to determine whether it is valid. A valid claim shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1) (hc).

29.063 History History: 2001 a. 108; 2005 a. 286; 2009 a. 39.

29.071 29.071 Wildlife on Indian reservations protected. No person may remove or take from any Indian reservation the carcass of any protected wild animal during the closed season for the wild animal except as authorized by the department under this chapter or ch. 169.

29.071 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 538; Stats. 1997 s. 29.071; 2001 a. 56.

29.071 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.12, Wis. adm. code.

29.075 29.075 Hunting, trapping and fishing by American Indians. American Indians hunting, trapping or fishing off Indian reservation lands are subject to this chapter.

29.075 History History: 1983 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 92; Stats. 1997 s. 29.075.

29.079 29.079 Deer hunting by practitioners of Ho-Chunk religion.

29.079(1) (1) Persons who are enrolled members of the Ho-Chunk nation and residents and who practice the traditional religion of the Ho-Chunk people may hunt deer during daylight hours for the members’ use in religious ceremonies without obtaining licenses under this chapter. Each hunting party shall be designated by the respective clan. Each clan leader shall obtain permission for deer hunting under this section from the department not less than 24 hours prior to each hunt.

29.079(2) (2) The department shall promulgate rules necessary to control the conditions and location under which hunting under this section may take place. The department may deny permission for hunting under this section when it determines that a denial is necessary to effectively manage the deer population. The number of deer taken under sub. (1) during any calendar year shall be established by the department, by rule, when necessary to effectively manage the deer population. Hunting privileges under this section may not be exercised during the regular open season for deer.

29.079(3) (3) Nothing in this section may be construed to eliminate any requirement that a landowner’s permission must be obtained prior to hunting on his or her land.

29.079 History History: 1977 c. 242; 1997 a. 248 s. 240; Stats. 1997 s. 29.079.

29.083 29.083 Interference with hunting, fishing or trapping.

29.083(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “activity associated with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping” means travel, camping, scouting, target shooting, dog training, animal baiting or feeding, or other acts that are preparatory to lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping and that are done by a hunter, fisher, or trapper or by a member of a hunting, fishing, or trapping party.

29.083(2) (2) Prohibitions.

29.083(2)(a) (a) No person may interfere or attempt to interfere with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping with the intent to prevent the taking of a wild animal, or intentionally interfere with or intentionally attempt to interfere with an activity associated with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping, by doing any of the following:

29.083(2)(a)1. 1. Harassing a wild animal or by engaging in an activity that tends to harass wild animals.

29.083(2)(a)2. 2. Impeding or obstructing a person who is engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or trapping.

29.083(2)(a)3. 3. Impeding or obstructing a person who is engaged in an activity associated with lawful hunting, fishing or trapping.

29.083(2)(a)4. 4. Disturbing the personal property of a person engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or trapping.

29.083(2)(a)5. 5. Disturbing a lawfully placed hunting blind or stand.

29.083(2)(a)6. 6. Disturbing lawfully placed bait or other material used to feed or attract a wild animal.

29.083(2)(a)7. 7. Engaging in a series of 2 or more acts carried out over time, however short or long, that show a continuity of purpose and that are intended to impede or obstruct a person who is engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping, or an activity associated with lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping, including any of the following:

29.083(2)(a)7.a. a. Maintaining a visual or physical proximity to the person.

29.083(2)(a)7.b. b. Approaching or confronting the person.

29.083(2)(a)7.c. c. Photographing, videotaping, audiotaping, or through other electronic means, monitoring or recording the activities of the person. This subd. 7. c. applies regardless of where the act occurs.

29.083(2)(a)7.d. d. Causing a person to engage in any of the acts described in subd. 7. a. to c.

29.083 Note NOTE: Subd. 7. was held to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Brown v. Kemp, 86 F.4th 745 (2003).

29.083(2)(a)8. 8. Using a drone, as defined in s. 941.292 (1), to conduct any activity prohibited under subds. 1. to 7.

29.083(2)(b) (b) No person may knowingly fail to obey the order of a warden or other law enforcement officer to desist from conduct in violation of par. (a) if the order is based on any of the following:

29.083(2)(b)1. 1. The warden or other law enforcement officer personally observed such conduct by the person.

29.083(2)(b)2. 2. The warden or other law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged in such conduct that day or that the person intends to engage in such conduct that day.

29.083(3) (3) Exemptions. This section does not apply to actions under sub. (2) (a) 1. to 8. performed by wardens and other law enforcement officers if the actions are authorized by law.

29.083(3m) (3m) Affirmative defense. It is an affirmative defense to the prosecution for violation of this section if the defendant’s conduct is protected by his or her right to freedom of speech under the constitution of this state or of the United States.

29.083(4) (4) Civil actions.

29.083(4)(a) (a) A person who is adversely affected by, or who reasonably may be expected to be adversely affected by, conduct that is in violation of sub. (2) (a) may bring an action in circuit court for an injunction or damages or both.

29.083(4)(b) (b) The circuit court may enter an injunction under ch. 813 against conduct in violation of sub. (2) (a) if the court determines any of the following:

29.083(4)(b)1. 1. The defendant is threatening the conduct.

29.083(4)(b)2. 2. The defendant has engaged in the conduct in the past and that it is reasonable to expect that the defendant will engage in the conduct that will adversely affect the plaintiff in the future.

29.083(4)(c) (c) The circuit court may award damages to the plaintiff if the defendant’s conduct in violation of sub. (2) (a) has adversely affected the plaintiff. The damages awarded may include punitive damages and any special damages. Special damages may include approval fees, travel costs, camping fees, costs for guides, and costs for equipment or supplies to the extent that the plaintiff did not receive the full value of any of these expenditures due to the unlawful conduct of the defendant.

29.083 History History: 1989 a. 190; 1997 a. 248 s. 415; Stats. 1997 s. 29.083; 2015 a. 346.

29.083 Annotation The application of this section is limited to physical interference and does not violate the freedom of speech. State v. Bagley, 164 Wis. 2d 255, 474 N.W.2d 761 (Ct. App. 1991).

29.083 Annotation The activities listed under sub. (2) (a) 2., 3., 7., and 8., such as approaching a hunter or photographing, are only prohibited when also “intended to impede or obstruct” another person who is engaged in lawful activities. This section is not unconstitutionally overbroad or vague. Brown v. Kemp, 506 F. Supp. 3d 649 (2020).

29.084 29.084 Incentives for recruitment. The department shall establish a program to recognize people who recruit others as hunters, trappers, and anglers. The program shall include a component under which a person who is issued his or her first hunting, trapping, or fishing approval in his or her lifetime may designate one person as the person who encouraged the applicant to obtain the license. The program shall provide for all of the following:

29.084(1) (1) A method for maintaining a record of persons designated as provided under this section.

29.084(2) (2) A method for issuing a credit to any resident who is designated as provided under this section a specified number of times, as determined by the department, in any license year. The method shall require the department to allow the recipient of the credit to apply the credit in a manner that reduces the fee for an approval that is listed under s. 29.563 (2) (a) 1., 2., 4. to 5g., or 8. to 9., (3) (a) 1., or (6) (a) 1. by one-half of the fee that would otherwise apply to the approval, rounded up to the nearest dollar, that reduces the fee specified in s. 29.563 (4) (a) 1. for a resident sports license by $20, or that reduces the fee specified in s. 29.563 (4) (a) 2. for a resident conservation patron license by $60. The department may not require a resident to be designated more than 5 times in a license year in order to be eligible for a credit under this subsection. In this subsection, “license year” means the period between April 1 and the following March 31.

29.084 History History: 2011 a. 168; 2015 a. 55.