Chapter 29

29.934 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.115, Wis. adm. code.

29.936 29.936 Distribution of fish and game to food distribution services.

29.936(1) (1) Notwithstanding s. 29.934, the department may distribute for free carcasses from fish and game seized or confiscated under s. 29.931 that are suitable for eating to food distribution services. The department may have the fish or game that is seized or confiscated processed before distributing that fish or game to food distribution services. The department may collect the costs of the processing of the fish or game from the person from whom the fish and game was seized or confiscated.

29.936(2) (2) The department may notify the person from whom the fish or game was seized or confiscated under s. 29.931 that he or she is liable for the costs incurred by the department for processing the fish or game under this section. The notification shall be mailed to the person’s last-known address and shall include the amount that the person is required to pay as well as the address where payment shall be sent.

29.936(3) (3) If a person fails to pay the processing costs as requested under sub. (2), the department may submit a certification under oath to the clerk of circuit court in the county where the processed fish or game was seized or confiscated. The certification shall state the amount of processing costs unpaid, the name and last-known address of the person who is liable for those costs and such other information as the court considers necessary. The court shall order that the amount certified by the department be a judgment on behalf of the state and against the person if the person fails to submit a written objection to the court within 30 days after the court receives the certification from the department unless the department notifies the court that the envelope including the certification mailed to the person under sub. (4) was returned unopened to the department. If the person timely submits a written objection to the certification, the court shall consider the objection to be a complaint in a civil action and proceed under the rules of procedure under chs. 799 or 801 to 847, without requiring the service of a summons or the payment of filing fees.

29.936(4) (4) On the same day that the department submits the certification to the court, the department shall send a copy of the certification to the person at his or her last-known address by 1st class mail. Mailing of the certification shall be considered service of that certification when it is mailed unless the envelope containing the certification is returned unopened to the department. The department shall include with the certification a notice informing the person of all of the following:

29.936(4)(a) (a) That, if the person fails to submit a written objection to the court within 30 days after the court receives the certification from the department, the court shall order that the amount certified by the department be a judgment on behalf of the state and against the person.

29.936(4)(b) (b) The name and address of the circuit court where the certification was submitted and the date of that submittal.

29.936(4)(c) (c) That, if the person timely objects to the certification, the objection will be considered a complaint for purposes of the commencement of a civil suit under ch. 799 or 801.

29.936(4)(d) (d) That the person is required to submit a copy of the objection to the department at the time that he or she submits the objection to the clerk of circuit court.

29.936(4)(e) (e) The address of the department where the person is required to submit a copy of the objection.

29.936(5) (5) The department shall mail the certification under sub. (4) in an envelope that includes the department’s return address. The department shall notify the court if the envelope is returned to the department unopened.

29.936 History History: 1997 a. 321; 1999 a. 9, 32, 186.

29.938 29.938 Use by the department of unclaimed, seized, or confiscated property. The department may receive, retain, and use for the hunter education programs under ss. 29.591 and 29.595, the trapper education program under s. 29.597, or other educational hunting, fishing, trapping, or conservation activities the department conducts any of the following property:

29.938(1) (1) Property seized or confiscated for violations of s. 167.31 or 943.13, this chapter, or ch. 169 or 951.

29.938(2) (2) Property turned over to the department under s. 968.20 (3).

29.938(3) (3) Personal property that is in the possession of the department and that is lost, abandoned, or not claimed by its owner.

29.938 History History: 2005 a. 394.

29.941 29.941 Assistance of law enforcement officers. All sheriffs, deputy sheriffs and other law enforcement officers are deputy conservation wardens, and shall assist the department and its wardens in the enforcement of this chapter whenever notice of a violation is given to them by the department or its wardens.

29.941 History History: 1979 c. 110; 1997 a. 248 s. 116; Stats. 1997 s. 29.941.

29.944 29.944 Exemption from liability. Members of the natural resources board, and each warden, in the performance of official duties, are exempt from liability to any person for acts done or permitted or property destroyed by authority of law. No taxable costs or attorney fees shall be allowed to either party in an action against a member of the natural resources board or a warden.

29.944 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 111.

29.944 Annotation A game warden who kills a dog that the warden believes is wounding or worrying a domestic animal is not exempt from liability under all circumstances. Munyon v. Moe, 46 Wis. 2d 629, 176 N.W.2d 324 (1970).

29.947 29.947 Law enforcement aid program; spearfishing.

29.947(1) (1) Definitions. As used in this section:

29.947(1)(a) (a) “Additional law enforcement services” means an extraordinary type or level of service which is not normally provided or budgeted for by a law enforcement agency.

29.947(1)(p) (p) “Municipality” means any city, village or town.

29.947(1)(t) (t) “Spearfishing” means a method of taking fish which is authorized by an agreement negotiated between the state and the members of federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands domiciled in Wisconsin relating to the tribes’ or bands’ treaty-based, off-reservation rights to hunt, fish and gather.

29.947(2) (2) Participating county or municipality. In order to be eligible to receive reimbursement from the department for costs incurred on or after August 1, 1987, by law enforcement agencies in response to members of federally recognized American Indian tribes exercising or attempting to exercise their right to engage in spearfishing, a county or municipality must do all of the following:

29.947(2)(b) (b) Daily records. Maintain daily records of any costs for additional law enforcement services incurred by law enforcement agencies that are directly related to spearfishing and make the daily records available, upon request, to the department for inspection at periodic times during normal business hours.

29.947(2)(c) (c) Filing of application. File an application for aid with the department by July 1 of the calendar year in which additional law enforcement services are provided, specifying all of the following:

29.947(2)(c)1. 1. The names and salaries of the officials who provided additional law enforcement services during the spearfishing season.

29.947(2)(c)2. 2. The number of hours worked by the persons under subd. 1.

29.947(2)(c)3. 3. Any other costs, as specified by the department, incurred by the county or municipality that are directly attributable to providing additional law enforcement services during the spearfishing season.

29.947(2)(c)4. 4. Any other information requested by the department.

29.947(2)(cm) (cm) Amended claims. A county or municipality that has filed an application for aid under par. (c) by July 1 of a calendar year in which additional law enforcement services are provided may amend that application before August 1 of that calendar year.

29.947(4) (4) Aid payments.

29.947(4)(a) (a) Costs reimbursed. Except as provided under par. (c), the department may pay each participating county or municipality up to 100 percent of the county’s or municipality’s actual costs that are directly attributable to providing additional law enforcement services during the spearfishing season. The department shall make any aid payments from the appropriations under s. 20.370 (5) (ea) by September 30 of the calendar year in which the county or municipality files an application under sub. (2) (c). The department may not make an aid payment unless the payment is approved by the secretary of administration.

29.947(4)(c) (c) Prorated payments allowed. If the total amount of reimbursable costs under par. (a) exceeds the amount available for payments under s. 20.370 (5) (ea), the department may prorate payments to participating counties and municipalities.

29.947 History History: 1987 a. 27, 399, 418; 1989 a. 31, 56, 336; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 669; Stats. 1997 s. 29.947.

29.951 29.951 Resisting a warden. Any person who assaults or otherwise resists or obstructs any warden in the performance of duty shall be subject to the penalty specified in s. 939.51 (3) (a).

29.951 History History: 1975 c. 365, 421; 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 20; 1993 a. 137; 1997 a. 248 s. 683; Stats. 1997 s. 29.951.

29.951 Annotation This section defines one crime with multiple modes of commission and comports with the applicable fundamental fairness standard embodied in the due process clause. Jury unanimity as to the manner in which a defendant violates it is not required. Failure to specify the manner of violation did not deny the defendant his due process right to a unanimous jury verdict. State v. Dearborn, 2008 WI App 131, 313 Wis. 2d 767, 758 N.W.2d 463, 07-1894.

29.951 Annotation Affirmed on other grounds. 2010 WI 84, 327 Wis. 2d 252, 786 N.W.2d 97, 07-1894.

29.954 29.954 False impersonation of warden. Any person who falsely represents himself or herself to be a warden or who assumes to act as a warden without having been first duly appointed shall be subject to the penalty specified in s. 939.51 (3) (a).

29.954 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 20; 1993 a. 137; 1997 a. 248 s. 684; Stats. 1997 s. 29.954.

29.957 29.957 Breaking seals of department. No person may break, remove, or interfere with any seal or tag issued by the department. No person may interfere with any animal, carcass, or object with a seal or tag attached or for which a tag has been validated. Any person who violates this section shall forfeit not less than $250 and not more than $2,000. This section applies to seals and tags required by the department under this chapter or ch. 169.

29.957 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 20; 1997 a. 248 s. 689; Stats. 1997 s. 29.957; 2001 a. 56; 2015 a. 89.

29.961 29.961 Incorrect information.

29.961(1) (1) 

29.961(1)(b) (b) No person may provide incorrect information in order to obtain an approval issued under this chapter to which the person is not entitled.

29.961(1)(c) (c) Any person who violates par. (b) shall forfeit not more than $200 and shall pay a natural resources restitution surcharge equal to the amount of the statutory fee for the approval that was required and should have been obtained.

29.961(2) (2) 

29.961(2)(a) (a) No person may do any of the following:

29.961(2)(a)1. 1. Fail to keep records as required under this chapter.

29.961(2)(a)2. 2. Fail to keep accurate records under this chapter.

29.961(2)(a)3. 3. Provide incorrect information to the department under this chapter.

29.961(2)(b) (b) Any person who violates par. (a) shall forfeit not less than $100 and not more than $1,000.

29.961 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1979 c. 34, 175; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 399; 1997 a. 248 ss. 685, 713; Stats. 1997 s. 29.961; 2003 a. 139; 2015 a. 89.

29.962 29.962 Worthless checks for approvals. If a person tenders a check or other order for payment to an issuing agent appointed under s. 29.024 (6) (a) 3. to make payment for an approval issued under this chapter to an issuing agent, and the check is drawn on an account that does not exist or on an account with insufficient funds, or is otherwise worthless, the issuing agent may give notification to the department of the fact after having made an effort to receive payment from the person who tendered the check or other payment. If the issuing agent gives such notification, the department shall revoke the approval and send notification to the holder of the approval that it has been revoked for failure to make payment for the approval. The holder of the approval shall return the approval to the department within 7 days after receiving the notification.

29.962 History History: 2003 a. 138.

29.964 29.964 Falsification or illegal possession of approvals.

29.964(1m) (1m) Alteration of approvals.

29.964(1m)(a) (a) No person may alter an approval or proof of an approval in any manner or falsely represent that the person holds an approval.

29.964(1m)(b) (b) Any person who violates par. (a) shall forfeit not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 and shall pay a natural resources restitution surcharge equal to the statutory fee for the approval that was required and should have been obtained.

29.964(2m) (2m) Forgery.

29.964(2m)(a) (a) No person may forge another person’s signature to obtain an approval or on an approval.

29.964(2m)(b) (b) Any person who violates par. (a) shall forfeit not less than $100 and not more than $1,000.

29.964(3m) (3m) Counterfeit and illegally obtained approvals.

29.964(3m)(a) (a) For purposes of this subsection, “counterfeit” means produced without the consent or authorization of the department.

29.964(3m)(b) (b) No person may possess, buy, exhibit, use, transfer, sell, or offer for transfer or sale an approval or proof of an approval if any of the following apply:

29.964(3m)(b)1. 1. The person knows that the approval or proof is counterfeit.

29.964(3m)(b)2. 2. The person has illegally or erroneously obtained the approval or proof.

29.964(3m)(b)3. 3. The approval has been suspended or revoked.

29.964(3m)(c) (c) Any person who violates par. (b) shall forfeit not less than $250 and not more than $2,000 and shall pay a natural resources restitution surcharge equal to the amount of the statutory fee for the approval that was required and that should have been obtained.

29.964 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 688; Stats. 1997 s. 29.964; 2003 a. 139; 2015 a. 89.

29.967 29.967 Prohibitions during periods of suspension or revocation.

29.967(1) (1) Any person who has had an approval or a privilege under this chapter revoked or suspended and who engages in the activity authorized by the approval or in the privilege during the period of revocation or suspension is subject to the following penalties, in addition to any other penalty imposed for failure to have an approval:

29.967(1)(a) (a) For the first conviction, the person shall forfeit not less than $300 nor more than $500.

29.967(1)(b) (b) If the number of convictions in a 5-year period equals 2 or more, the person shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.

29.967(2) (2) The 5-year period under sub. (1) (b) shall be measured from the dates of the violations which resulted in the convictions.

29.967(3) (3) Any person who obtains any approval under this chapter during the period of time when that approval is revoked by any court shall be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 90 days or both.

29.967 History History: 1993 a. 137; 1997 a. 196; 1997 a. 248 ss. 686, 687; Stats. 1997 s. 29.967; 2015 a. 89.

29.969 29.969 Larceny of wild animals. A person who, without permission of the owner, disturbs or appropriates any wild animal or its carcass that has been lawfully reduced to possession by another shall forfeit not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000. 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.

29.969 History History: 1993 a. 137; 1995 a. 79; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 s. 690; Stats. 1997 s. 29.969; 2001 a. 56.

29.971 29.971 General penalty provisions. Any person who, for himself or herself, or by his or her agent or employee, or who, as agent or employee for another, violates this chapter shall be punished as follows:

29.971(1) (1) 

29.971(1)(a) (a) For the violation of any requirement of this chapter relating to fishing or fish dealing, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 except as provided under pars. (ag), (ar), (b), and (c) and sub. (5m).

29.971(1)(ag) (ag) For conducting a fishing tournament without a permit as required by the department, by a forfeiture of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000.