Chapter 29

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.

29.088 29.088 Use of poison and explosives; pole traps.

29.088(1) (1) Except as provided by s. 29.601 (4), it is unlawful to use baits containing poison of any description in any forests, fields or other places where it might destroy or cause the destruction of wild animals or birds, and the possession of any poison or poison baits in a hunting or trapping camp or on any person while hunting or trapping shall be prima facie evidence of a violation.

29.088(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (3), no person may take, capture or kill or attempt to take, capture or kill any wild animal with the aid of any explosive or poison gas, or set any explosive near or on any beaver or muskrat houses. Possession or control of an explosive or a poison gas in places described in sub. (1) is prima facie evidence of intent to violate this subsection. Any person who violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $300 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both.

29.088(2g) (2g) 

29.088(2g)(a) (a) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to toxicants placed in the waters of a self-contained fish rearing facility or a state or municipal fish hatchery if the toxicants are necessary to the operation of the fish farm or fish hatchery.

29.088(2g)(b) (b) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to toxicants placed in the waters of a preexisting fish rearing facility that is an artificial body of water if the toxicants are necessary to the operation of the fish farm and the department has issued a permit under s. 283.31 for the preexisting fish rearing facility.

29.088(2m) (2m) 

29.088(2m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), it is unlawful to take, capture, or kill or attempt to take, capture, or kill any bird by setting or operating any trap or device designed, built, or used to capture birds on a pole, post, tree stump, or any other elevated perch more than 3 feet above the ground.

29.088(2m)(b) (b) A person who holds a valid migratory bird depredation permit issued by the U.S. fish and wildlife service under 50 CFR 21.41 that authorizes the trapping of birds may set or operate a trap or device described under par. (a) on an elevated perch no more than 10 feet above the ground.

29.088(3) (3) Nothing in this chapter prevents the department or a person authorized under s. 29.885 from using an explosive or having an explosive near a beaver house or a beaver dam for the purpose of removing a beaver dam or a vacated beaver house when the beavers are causing damage to property.

29.088 History History: 1973 c. 317; 1975 c. 52, 365; 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 20; 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 670 to 672; Stats. 1997 s. 29.088; 2017 a. 169.

29.088 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.01, Wis. adm. code.

29.089 29.089 Hunting, fishing, and trapping on land in state parks and state fish hatcheries.

29.089(1) (1) No person may hunt or trap on land located in state fish hatcheries.

29.089(1m) (1m) 

29.089(1m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), state parks shall be open to hunting, fishing, and trapping by persons who hold the appropriate approvals required under this chapter.

29.089(1m)(b) (b) The department may prohibit hunting, fishing, or trapping in a state park or a portion of a state park if any of the following applies:

29.089(1m)(b)1. 1. The department prohibits hunting, fishing, or trapping within 100 yards of a designated use area.

29.089(1m)(b)2. 2. The natural resources board determines that prohibiting hunting, fishing, or trapping is necessary to protect public safety or to protect a unique animal or plant community. A determination to prohibit hunting, fishing, or trapping in a state park or a portion of a state park under this subdivision requires 4 or more members of the natural resources board to concur in that determination.

29.089(2) (2) No person may have in his or her possession or under his or her control a firearm or airgun on land located in state fish hatcheries unless the firearm or airgun is unloaded and enclosed within a carrying case. This subsection does not apply to any of the following:

29.089(2)(a) (a) A person who is employed in this state by a public agency as a law enforcement officer and to whom s. 941.23 (1) (g) 2. to 5. and (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.

29.089(2)(am) (am) A person who is certified as a tactical emergency medical services professional under s. 165.85 (3) while acting in the line of duty.

29.089(2)(b) (b) A qualified out-of-state law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 941.23 (1) (g), to whom s. 941.23 (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.

29.089(2)(c) (c) A former officer, as defined in s. 941.23 (1) (c), to whom s. 941.23 (2) (c) 1. to 7. applies.

29.089(2)(d) (d) A licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (d), or an out-of-state licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (g), if the firearm is a handgun, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (bm).

29.089 History History: 1989 a. 214; 1997 a. 237; 1997 a. 248 s. 599; Stats. 1997 s. 29.089; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 286; 2011 a. 35, 168; 2023 a. 115, 218.

29.089 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 10.001 and 10.28, Wis. adm. code.

29.091 29.091 Hunting or trapping in wildlife refuge.

29.091(1) (1) No person may hunt or trap within any wildlife refuge established under s. 23.09 (2) (b) or 29.621 (1), or, except as provided in sub. (2), have possession or control of any gun, firearm, airgun, bow, or crossbow unless the gun, firearm, or airgun is unloaded, the bow or crossbow is unstrung, and the gun, firearm, airgun, bow, or crossbow is enclosed within a carrying case. The taking of predatory game birds and animals shall be done as the department directs. All state wildlife refuge boundary lines shall be marked by posts placed at intervals of not over 500 feet and bearing signs with the words “Wisconsin Wildlife Refuge”.

29.091(2) (2) The prohibition in sub. (1), as it relates to the possession or control of a loaded or unencased gun, firearm, or airgun within a refuge established under s. 23.09 (2) (b), does not apply to any of the following:

29.091(2)(a) (a) A person who is employed in this state by a public agency as a law enforcement officer and to whom s. 941.23 (1) (g) 2. to 5. and (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.

29.091(2)(am) (am) A person who is certified as a tactical emergency medical services professional under s. 165.85 (3) while acting in the line of duty.

29.091(2)(b) (b) A qualified out-of-state law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 941.23 (1) (g), to whom s. 941.23 (2) (b) 1. to 3. applies.

29.091(2)(c) (c) A former officer, as defined in s. 941.23 (1) (c), to whom s. 941.23 (2) (c) 1. to 7. applies.

29.091(2)(d) (d) A licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (d), or an out-of-state licensee, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (g), if the gun or firearm is a handgun, as defined in s. 175.60 (1) (bm).

29.091 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 248 s. 600; Stats. 1997 s. 29.091; 2011 a. 35; 2023 a. 115, 218.

29.091 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 10.001, Wis. adm. code.

29.095 29.095 Hunting on land in a school forest. If a school board decides under s. 120.13 (38) that hunting may be allowed in its school forest, as defined in s. 26.39 (1) (a), the department shall establish and maintain open and closed seasons for game located in that school forest that are consistent with the open and closed seasons for game located on the lands adjacent to the school forest.

29.095 History History: 2005 a. 290.

subch. III of ch. 29 SUBCHAPTER III

HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FISHING APPROVALS

29.161 29.161 Resident small game hunting license.

29.161(1) (1) A resident small game hunting license shall be issued subject to ss. 29.024 and 54.25 (2) (c) 1. d. by the department to any resident applying for this license. The resident small game hunting license does not authorize the hunting of bear, deer, elk, or wild turkey.

29.161(2) (2) A resident small game hunting license authorizes hunting with a firearm, airgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

29.161 History History: 1973 c. 90 s. 538; 1973 c. 315; 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 39; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 193; Stats. 1997 s. 29.161; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 387; 2009 a. 119; 2011 a. 252.

29.161 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 10.12, 10.125, and 10.26, Wis. adm. code.

29.164 29.164 Wild turkey hunting approvals.

29.164(1) (1) Definitions. As used in this section:

29.164(1)(a) (a) “Family member” means a person who is related to another person as a parent, child, spouse or sibling.

29.164(1)(b) (b) “Landowner” means the owner of record of a parcel of land or the purchaser of land under a land contract who has the right to occupy and the right to use the land.

29.164(1)(c) (c) “Operator” means a resident who is residing on a parcel of land under a rental agreement, lease, agreement or contract and who is engaged in farm activities or other operations on the land.

29.164(1)(d) (d) “Resident applicant” includes a qualified resident landowner who applies for a wild turkey hunting license.

29.164(2) (2) Authorization; restrictions.

29.164(2)(a) (a) Department authority. The department may regulate and limit the hunting of wild turkeys by issuing licenses under this section. The department may not require the possession or validation of a wild turkey carcass tag and may not require that a carcass tag be attached to a lawfully killed wild turkey.

29.164(2)(b) (b) Type of hunting authorized. A license issued under this section authorizes hunting with a firearm, airgun, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

29.164(2)(c) (c) Requirements.

29.164(2)(c)1. 1. No person may hunt wild turkey unless he or she has a valid wild turkey hunting license and a valid wild turkey hunting stamp attached to or imprinted on the person’s wild turkey hunting license in the manner required by the rule promulgated under s. 29.024 (5) (a) 3.

29.164(2)(c)2. 2. If the department establishes a wild turkey hunting zone where or a season time period during which wild turkey hunting is permitted, no person may hunt wild turkeys in that wild turkey hunting zone or during that season time period unless the person has a wild turkey hunting license and a valid wild turkey hunting stamp as required under subd. 1. and unless the person has a wild turkey hunting authorization that is valid for that zone and that time period.

29.164(2)(d) (d) Exception. Any person holding a senior citizen recreation card or a conservation patron license is exempt from the requirements under par. (c) if the person has received a notice of approval under sub. (3) (e) and the person is exempt from paying the fee for the wild turkey hunting license.

29.164(3) (3) Wild turkey hunting licenses.

29.164(3)(a) (a) Cumulative preference system.

29.164(3)(a)1. 1. If the department requires wild turkey hunting licenses under sub. (2) (a) and the number of applications for wild turkey hunting authorizations for a given wild turkey hunting zone or a given wild turkey hunting season time period exceeds the number of available wild turkey hunting authorizations allocated by the department for that zone or that season time period, the department shall issue wild turkey hunting licenses and authorizations for that zone or that season time period according to the cumulative preference system under this subsection.

29.164(3)(a)2. 2. If the department requires wild turkey hunting licenses under sub. (2) (a) and the number of applications for wild turkey hunting authorizations for a given wild turkey hunting zone or a given wild turkey hunting season time period does not exceed the number of available wild turkey hunting authorizations allocated by the department for that zone or that season time period, the department shall issue a wild turkey hunting license and authorization to each applicant.

29.164(3)(b) (b) Qualified resident landowners.

29.164(3)(b)1. 1. The department shall create a first preference category in the issuance of wild turkey hunting licenses to applicants who are qualified resident landowners. The number of licenses issued under this paragraph for a season for an established wild turkey hunting zone may not exceed 30 percent of all licenses issued for that season for that zone.

29.164(3)(b)2. 2. For purposes of subd. 1., a qualified resident landowner is a resident who owns at least 50 acres in one parcel in an established wild turkey hunting zone. If more than one individual is the landowner of a single parcel of land, only one individual may be considered a qualified resident landowner.

29.164(3)(b)3. 3. A qualified resident landowner may assign his or her eligibility to apply for a wild turkey hunting license under this paragraph as a qualified resident landowner to a family member, to an operator, to a family member of the operator, or to a minor. A qualified resident landowner may not receive any consideration for the assignment of his or her eligibility under this subdivision. The department may specify the procedures and forms which are required to be followed and completed to effect this assignment. After this assignment, the assignee may apply for a wild turkey hunting license under this paragraph as a qualified resident landowner and the qualified resident landowner who assigned his or her eligibility may not so apply.

29.164(3)(c) (c) Second preference. The department shall create a 2nd preference category in issuing wild turkey hunting licenses to resident applicants who in a previous season applied for but were not issued wild turkey hunting licenses:

29.164(3)(c)1. 1. For the previous season if the department establishes one open season per year; or

29.164(3)(c)2. 2. For the previous corresponding season if the department establishes more than one open season per year.

29.164(3)(cg) (cg) Third preference. The department shall create a 3rd preference category in issuing wild turkey hunting licenses to all other resident applicants.

29.164(3)(ci) (ci) Fourth preference. The department shall create a 4th preference category in issuing wild turkey hunting licenses to applicants who are qualified nonresident landowners. For purposes of this paragraph, a qualified nonresident landowner is a person who is not a resident and who owns at least 50 acres in one parcel in an established wild turkey hunting zone and who agrees to allow other persons to hunt wild turkeys on that land if those persons first obtain permission to hunt from the landowner. If more than one individual is the landowner of a single parcel of land, only one individual may be considered a qualified nonresident landowner.

29.164(3)(cm) (cm) Fifth preference. The department shall create a 5th preference category in issuing wild turkey hunting licenses to all other nonresident applicants.

29.164(3)(cr) (cr) Cumulative preference.

29.164(3)(cr)1. 1. In issuing licenses under the 2nd preference category under this subsection, the department shall give, within that preference category, a preference point to each applicant for each previous corresponding season for which the person applied but was not issued a wild turkey hunting license. The department shall create subcategories for each point total and place each applicant in the applicable subcategory. The department shall rank the subcategories according to the number of preference points received, giving higher priority to those subcategories with more points than those with fewer points. Applicants who fail to apply at least once during any 3 consecutive years shall lose all previously accumulated preference points.

29.164(3)(cr)2. 2. If the number of applicants within a preference category or a subcategory under this subsection exceeds the number of wild turkey hunting licenses available in the category or subcategory, the department shall select at random within the category or subcategory the applicants to be issued the licenses.

29.164(3)(d) (d) License limitation. No person may apply for or receive more than one wild turkey hunting license during one season.

29.164(3)(e) (e) Notification; issuance; payment. The department shall issue a notice of approval to those qualified applicants selected to receive a wild turkey hunting license and authorization under par. (a). A person who receives a notice of approval and who pays the license fee in the manner required by the department shall be issued a wild turkey hunting license, subject to ss. 29.024 and 54.25 (2) (c) 1. d., and an authorization. The department may not charge a fee for an authorization that is issued under this paragraph.

29.164(3m) (3m) Wild turkey hunting licenses issued to members of armed forces, disabled veterans, and recipients of the purple heart medal.

29.164(3m)(a) (a) Notwithstanding sub. (3), the department may issue wild turkey hunting licenses and authorizations without requiring that the licenses and authorizations be issued pursuant to the cumulative preference system under sub. (3) to members of the U.S. armed forces who are all of the following:

29.164(3m)(a)1. 1. Residents.

29.164(3m)(a)2. 2. In active service with the U.S. armed forces outside this state.