Chapter 29

29.235(3m) (3m) Purple heart conservation patron license. The department shall issue a resident conservation patron license at the reduced fee under s. 29.563 (4) (a) 2s. to any resident applying for this license who exhibits proof that he or she has received a purple heart medal. The department shall issue a nonresident conservation patron license at the reduced fee under s. 29.563 (4) (b) 2s. to any person applying for this license who is not a resident and who exhibits proof that he or she has received a purple heart medal.

29.235(5) (5) Subscription. At the time the department issues a conservation patron license, except for a license issued to a resident under sub. (3m), it shall provide each licensee who is at least 18 years of age with an annual subscription to the Wisconsin natural resources magazine without any additional fee or charge.

29.235(6) (6) Admission receipt. At the same time the department issues a conservation patron license, it may issue an annual resident or nonresident vehicle admission receipt or a special receipt for admission to state parks and similar areas. The department may issue an annual resident or nonresident vehicle admission receipt or a special receipt for admission to state parks and similar areas to a person who has a conservation patron license on location at the state park or similar area. A person who is issued a receipt under this subsection shall affix the receipt by its own adhesive to the interior surface of the lower left-hand corner of the windshield of the vehicle or otherwise display it as authorized under a rule promulgated under s. 27.01 (7) (e) 2. A receipt issued under this section is not considered part of a conservation patron license for the purpose of issuing a duplicate. No duplicate receipt may be issued for a receipt that is affixed by its own adhesive to a windshield unless the license holder provides evidence that the vehicle upon which the sticker receipt is affixed is no longer usable or that the vehicle was transferred to another person and the license holder presents the original receipt or remnants of it to the department. Section 29.024 (7) applies to the issuance of a duplicate receipt that is displayed as authorized under the rule promulgated under s. 27.01 (7) (e) 2. This subsection does not apply to holders of conservation patron licenses who are under the age of 18 years.

29.235 History History: 1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 213; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 1, 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 338 to 344; Stats. 1997 s. 29.235; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 25, 284, 387; 2007 a. 97; 2009 a. 39; 2013 a. 55, 61; 2015 a. 89, 222; 2017 a. 59.

29.236 29.236 Annual disabled veteran recreation card.

29.236(1) (1) The department, subject to ss. 29.024 and 54.25 (2) (c) 1. d., shall issue an annual disabled veteran recreation card to any resident who produces evidence that shows that he or she is a veteran, as defined in 38 USC 101, and is receiving disability compensation benefits under 38 USC 1101 to 1163 for disabilities that result in a disability rating that is 50 percent or greater under 38 USC 1114 or 1134, or is receiving disability compensation benefits due to being individually unemployable under 38 CFR 4.16 as authorized under 38 USC 501.

29.236(2) (2) An annual disabled veteran recreation card entitles the holder to exercise all of the combined rights and privileges conferred by a resident small game hunting license and a resident fishing license, subject to all duties, conditions, limitations, and restrictions of the licenses. A person may operate any motor vehicle, except a motor bus, as defined in s. 340.01 (31), subject to the admission requirements under s. 27.01 (7) in any vehicle admission area under s. 27.01 (7) without having an admission receipt affixed to the vehicle or otherwise displayed and without paying a fee if the vehicle has as an occupant a card holder who can exhibit the card upon demand in the vehicle admission area. The card permits a card holder to enter Heritage Hill state park or a state trail without paying an admission fee.

29.236(3) (3) Except as provided in this section, possession of an annual disabled veteran recreation card shall not entitle the holder to obtain any other privileges or services for free if the privileges or services may be obtained only through payment of a fee.

29.236 History History: 2011 a. 168; 2015 a. 89.

29.237 29.237 Sturgeon spearing license.

29.237(1b) (1b) In this section, “Lake Winnebago and upper Fox and Wolf rivers system” means Buttes des Morts Lake, Winneconne Lake, Poygan Lake, Winnebago Lake, and all of the following:

29.237(1b)(a) (a) Each stream that flows into any of these lakes, from the mouth of the stream upstream to the first dam on the stream.

29.237(1b)(b) (b) The Fox River from the point that it flows into Lake Winnebago upstream to the dam above the city of Princeton.

29.237(1b)(c) (c) Each tributary of the Fox River from the point that it flows into the Fox River upstream to the first dam on the tributary.

29.237(1b)(d) (d) The Wolf River from its mouth upstream to the dam in the city of Shawano.

29.237(1b)(e) (e) Each tributary of the Wolf River from the point that it flows into the Wolf River to the first dam on the tributary.

29.237(1m) (1m) Subject to s. 29.024 and any limit imposed under s. 29.192 (3), a sturgeon spearing license shall be issued by the department to any person applying for this license who is at least 12 years old.

29.237(2) (2) Each sturgeon spearing license issued under this section shall be accompanied by sturgeon carcass tags in the quantity to correspond with the season bag limit for spearing lake sturgeon established by the department. Each carcass tag shall contain a unique number that is assigned to the sturgeon spearing license being issued.

29.237(3) (3) A sturgeon spearing license authorizes the spearing of lake sturgeon subject to any limit imposed under s. 29.192 (3) and only during the open season for spearing these sturgeon established by the department. No person may fish for sturgeon by means of a spear unless the person is issued a sturgeon spearing license. Proof of the sturgeon spearing license shall be carried on the person of the licensee at all times while fishing for sturgeon by means of a spear.

29.237(4) (4) Any person having taken a lake sturgeon by means of a spear shall immediately validate the sturgeon carcass tag issued to that person. No person may possess, control, store, or transport a lake sturgeon carcass unless a sturgeon carcass tag has been validated in the manner required by the department.

29.237(5) (5) The department shall deposit receipts from the sale of sturgeon spearing licenses under this subsection into the conservation fund and shall credit these receipts to the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (1) (kw) for assessing and managing the lake sturgeon stock and fishery in the Lake Winnebago system, for improving and maintaining lake sturgeon habitat in the Lake Winnebago and upper Fox and Wolf rivers system, and for administering this section.

29.237 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 27; 1991 a. 269; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 345 to 351; Stats. 1997 s. 29.237; 1999 a. 32; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 274; 2011 a. 168; 2013 a. 64; 2015 a. 89; 2017 a. 59.

29.237 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 20.07 and 20.11, Wis. adm. code.

29.241 29.241 Trapping license.

29.241(1) (1) Issuance. A trapping license shall be issued subject to s. 29.024 by the department to any resident applying for this license or to any nonresident of this state who applies for this license and who resides in a state that allows nonresidents of that state to trap within that state.

29.241(3) (3) Authorization. A trapping license authorizes the use of traps for trapping fur-bearing animals.

29.241(4) (4) Individual licenses required. If a trapper employs any person in trapping, a license is required for each person employed.

29.241(5) (5) Youth trapping. A person under the age of 16 may engage in trapping under the supervision of a licensed trapper without holding a trapping license or a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.597 (5).

29.241(6) (6) Mentored trapping license.

29.241(6)(a) (a) In this section:

29.241(6)(a)1. 1. “Contact” has the meaning given in s. 29.324 (1) (a).

29.241(6)(a)2. 2. “Mentee” means a person holding a mentored trapping license who is receiving trapping instruction from a mentor.

29.241(6)(a)3. 3. “Mentor” means a person who provides trapping instruction to a mentee.

29.241(6)(b) (b) A mentored trapping 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 or to any nonresident of this state who applies for this license and who resides in a state that allows nonresidents of that state to trap within that state.

29.241(6)(c) (c) A mentored trapping license authorizes trapping by a mentee while in contact with a mentor who meets the following qualifications:

29.241(6)(c)1. 1. The person is 18 years of age or older.

29.241(6)(c)2. 2. The person is the parent or guardian of the mentee or is authorized by the parent or guardian to serve as a mentor. This requirement does not apply to a person serving as a mentor for a person who is 18 years of age or older.

29.241(6)(c)3. 3. At all times when serving as a mentor, the person is in contact with the mentee.

29.241(6)(c)4. 4. The person holds a current valid trapping license or is authorized to trap without holding a trapping license as provided under s. 29.337.

29.241(6)(d) (d) A person may be issued only 2 mentored trapping licenses in his or her lifetime, and each mentored trapping license shall be valid for only one trapping season.

29.241(6)(e) (e) A mentor under this subsection may take more than one person trapping at a time if the mentor determines he or she can adequately and safely serve as a mentor for all of the persons he or she takes trapping at one time.

29.241(6)(f) (f) A person holding a mentored trapping license is not eligible to receive a harvest tag for trapping purposes for any species for which the department limits the number of available tags but may assist his or her mentor in the trapping of a species for which the department limits the number of available tags.

29.241 History History: 1997 a. 248 ss. 284, 285, 437; 2005 a. 284; 2017 a. 343.

subch. IV of ch. 29 SUBCHAPTER IV

HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATION

29.301 29.301 General restrictions on hunting.

29.301(1) (1) Hunting restricted areas.

29.301(1)(a) (a) In this subsection, “school” means a public or private elementary or secondary school, including a charter school, a tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), or a technical college.

29.301(1)(b) (b) No person may hunt within 1,700 feet of any hospital, sanatorium or the grounds of any school. The department may designate the form for or furnish signs designating the restricted area. No person may be convicted of a violation of this paragraph unless the restricted area is designated by the signs.

29.301(1)(c) (c) Notwithstanding par. (b), this subsection does not prohibit hunting in a school forest if the school board allows hunting under s. 120.13 (38).

29.301(2) (2) Color of clothing. In the areas in which there is a season for the hunting of deer with firearms, no person may hunt any game except waterfowl during that season unless at least 50 percent of each article of the person’s outer clothing above the waist, including a cap, hat or other head covering, is of a highly visible color commonly referred to as hunter orange, blaze orange, fluorescent orange, flame orange or fluorescent blaze orange or commonly referred to as bright pink or fluorescent pink. This requirement does not apply to persons hunting from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise during a firearm deer hunting season if the person is hunting for other game that the department authorizes to be hunted during that firearm deer hunting season. Any person violating this subsection shall forfeit not more than $10.

29.301 History History: 1975 c. 360, 365, 421; 1979 c. 39; 1997 a. 151; 1997 a. 248 s. 412; Stats. 1997 s. 29.301; 1999 a. 32; 2005 a. 117, 290; 2009 a. 302; 2015 a. 131, 222.

29.304 29.304 Restrictions on hunting and use of firearms by persons under 16 years of age.

29.304(1) (1) Persons under 12 years of age.

29.304(1)(a) (a) Prohibition on hunting. No person under 12 years of age may hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow.

29.304(1)(b) (b) Restrictions on possession or control of a firearm. No person under 12 years of age may have in his or her possession or control any firearm unless he or she is enrolled in the course of instruction under the hunter education program and he or she is carrying the firearm in a case and unloaded to or from that class under the supervision of his or her parent or guardian, or by a person at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian, or is handling or operating the firearm during that class under the supervision of an instructor.

29.304(1)(c) (c) Restrictions on obtaining hunting approval. Except as provided under par. (d), no person under 12 years of age may obtain any approval authorizing hunting.

29.304(1)(d) (d) Restrictions on validity of certificate of accomplishment. A person under 12 years of age may obtain a certificate of accomplishment if he or she complies with the requirements of s. 29.591 (4) but that certificate is not valid for the hunting of small game until that person becomes 12 years of age.

29.304(2) (2) Persons 12 to 14 years of age.

29.304(2)(a) (a) Restrictions on hunting. No person 12 years of age or older but under 14 years of age may hunt unless he or she is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian, or by a person at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian.

29.304(2)(b) (b) Restrictions on possession or control of a firearm. No person 12 years of age or older but under 14 years of age may have in his or her possession or control any firearm unless he or she:

29.304(2)(b)1. 1. Is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by a person at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian; or

29.304(2)(b)2. 2. Is enrolled in the course of instruction under the hunter education program and is carrying the firearm in a case and unloaded to or from that class or is handling or operating the firearm during that class under the supervision of an instructor.

29.304(3) (3) Persons 14 to 16 years of age.

29.304(3)(a) (a) Restrictions on hunting. No person 14 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may hunt unless he or she:

29.304(3)(a)1. 1. Is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by a person at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian; or

29.304(3)(a)2. 2. Is issued a certificate of accomplishment that states that he or she successfully completed the course of instruction under the hunter education program or has a similar certificate, license, or other evidence satisfactory to the department indicating that he or she has successfully completed in another state, country, or province a hunter education course recognized by the department.

29.304(3)(b) (b) Restrictions on possession or control of a firearm. No person 14 years of age or older but under 16 years of age may have in his or her possession or control any firearm unless he or she:

29.304(3)(b)1. 1. Is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by a person at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian;

29.304(3)(b)2. 2. Is enrolled in the course of instruction under the hunter education program and is carrying the firearm in a case and unloaded to or from that class or is handling or operating the firearm during that class under the supervision of an instructor; or

29.304(3)(b)3. 3. Is issued a certificate of accomplishment that states that he or she successfully completed the course of instruction under the hunter education program or has a similar certificate, license, or other evidence satisfactory to the department indicating that he or she has successfully completed in another state, country, or province a hunter education course recognized by the department.

29.304(4) (4) Parental obligation. No parent or guardian of a child under 16 years of age may authorize or knowingly permit the child to violate this section.

29.304(4m) (4m) Hunting mentorship program. The prohibition specified in sub. (1) (a) and the restrictions specified in subs. (1) (b) to (d), (2), and (3) do not apply to a person who is hunting with a mentor and who complies with the requirements specified under s. 29.592.

29.304(5) (5) Exception.

29.304(5)(a) (a) Notwithstanding subs. (1) to (3), a person 12 years of age or older may possess or control a firearm and may hunt with a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow on land under the ownership of the person or the person’s family if no license is required and if the firing of firearms is permitted on that land.

29.304(5)(b) (b)

29.304(5)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph, “target practice” includes trap shooting or a similar sport shooting activity regardless of whether the activity involves shooting at a fixed or a moving target.

29.304(5)(b)2. 2. The restrictions on the possession and control of a firearm under sub. (1) do not apply to a person using a firearm in target practice if he or she is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by a person at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian.

29.304 History History: 1983 a. 420; 1997 a. 197; 1997 a. 248 s. 431; Stats. 1997 s. 29.304; 2005 a. 289; 2009 a. 39; 2011 a. 252, 258.

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

29.307 29.307 Hunting with aid of aircraft prohibited.

29.307(1) (1) No person may hunt any animal with the aid of an aircraft, including the use of an aircraft to spot, group or drive, or otherwise attempt to affect the behavior of, animals for hunters on the ground.

29.307(3) (3) Any rules promulgated under s. 29.307 (2), 2009 stats., do not apply after June 30, 2004.

29.307 History History: 1971 c. 151; 1997 a. 248 s. 432; Stats. 1997 s. 29.307; 2001 a. 108; 2011 a. 257.

29.311 29.311 Shotshell restrictions.

29.311(1) (1) No person may hunt waterfowl or coots with any firearm or airgun using any shotshell classified by the federal government as toxic or harmful to wildlife or the environment.

29.311(2) (2) The department may not limit the use, possession, or control of shot shells on the basis of the size of the contained shot for the hunting of a fur-bearing animal during an open season established for that animal by the department or for the hunting of an animal as provided under s. 29.337 (1).

29.311 History History: 1985 a. 155, 332; 1997 a. 248 s. 194; Stats. 1997 s. 29.311; 2021 a. 16; 2023 a. 115.

29.312 29.312 Rules regulating the sighting of a firearm.