Chapter NR 10

NR 10.13(3)(c) (c) Under ice sets are exempt from the checking periods.

NR 10.13(3)(d) (d) Sets placed for weasels consisting of body gripping traps placed entirely in enclosures, with no opening larger than 1 3/8 inch in diameter, and anchored to an immovable object shall be tended within a 4-day period following the last tending of the set. Any animal captured shall be removed from the set each time the trap is tended.

NR 10.13(4) (4) Trap placement. “Lawfully placed” for the purposes of s. 29.331 (5) (a), Stats., refers to when the trap was initially placed by the owner or operator of the trap.  

NR 10.13 Note Note: Additional restrictions on trapping furbearing animals on department managed lands that are part of the Wisconsin state parks or state park trails are established in s. NR 10.275 (5). This section limits upland trapping activities to the use of pull-activated enclosed trigger traps.

NR 10.13 History History: 1-2-56; am. (1), Register, August, 1962, No. 80, eff. 9-1-62; r. and recr. (1) and (3), Register, August, 1964, No. 104, eff. 9-1-64; r. and recr. (3), Register, August, 1966, No. 128, eff. 9-1-66; renum. to be NR 10.13; am. (3), Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (1), Register, July, 1971, No. 187, eff. 8-1-71; am. (3), Register, August, 1975, No. 236, eff. 9-1-75; emerg. am. (1), eff. 4-3-76; r. and recr. Register, September, 1979, No. 285, eff. 10-1-79; r. and recr. (1) (b) 5., Register, October, 1980, No. 298, eff. 11-1-80; am. (1) (b) 2., Register, May, 1983, No. 329, eff. 6-1-83; am. (1) (intro.) and (b) 2., Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; (1) (b) 6. to 12. renum. from NR 10.14 (2) to (8), Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 12-1-84; am. (1) (a) and r. and recr. (1) (b) 5., Register, August, 1986, No. 368, eff. 9-1-86; r. and recr. (1) (a), am. (1) (b) 4., 5., 11. and (2) (c), Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88; am. (1) (b) 8. and 10., Register, July, 1989, No. 403, eff. 8-1-89; am. (1) (a) 2., (b) 1., 3. to 6., 8., 12. intro., (2) (c) and (3) (b), cr. (1) (b) 13., Register, May, 1990, No. 413, eff. 6-1-90; am. (1) (b) 8., 12. intro. and 13. b., Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91; r. and recr. (3) (c), Register, July, 1993, No. 451, eff. 8-1-93; am. (1) (b) 13. b., Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96; r. (1) (b) 3., Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 5-1-98; renum. (1) (b) 8. to be 8. a., cr. (1) (b) 8. b., Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; correction in (1) (b) 8. b. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, June, 1999, No. 522; am. (1) (b) 8 a., Register, September, 1999, No. 525, eff. 10-1-99; am. (1) (b) 8. a., cr. (4), Register, September, 1999, No. 525, eff. 10-1-99; emerg. r. and recr. eff. 8-4-00; am. (3) (a), Register, September, 2000, No. 537, eff. 5-1-01; CR 01-006: am. (1) (b) 11., Register August 2001 No. 548, eff. 9-1-01; CR 01-008: am. (1) (b) 4. and 5., Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 4-1-02; CR 02-018: am. (3) (a) and (b) Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02; CR 03-018: am. (1) (b) 1., 5., 6., 8., 12. (intro.) and 13., cr. (1) (b) 14. to 16. Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-046: am. (1) (b) 6., r. and recr. (3) (c) Register September 2004 No. 585, eff. 10-1-04; CR 05-031: am. (1) (b) 8. b., 15. a. and d. Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 06-012: am. (1) (b) 6., 8. a. and b., 11., and 12. (intro.), cr. (1) (b) 8. c. Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 4-1-07, except (1) (b) 6. eff. 2-1-07; CR 06-037: am. (1) (b) 2. Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07; CR 07-015: am. (1) (b) 15. (intro.) and a. Register September 2007 No. 621, eff. 2-1-08; CR 07-035: am. (1) (b) 15. Register April 2008 No. 628, eff. 5-1-08; CR 08-011: am. (1) (b) 6. Register September 2008 No. 633, eff. 2-1-09; CR 09-015: am. (1) (b) 15. (intro.) Register October 2009 No. 646, eff. 2-1-10; CR 09-024: am. (1) (b) 6., 12. (intro.) and 13. a. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; CR 10-020: am. (1) (b) 5. and 6., r. and recr. (1) (b) 16., cr. (1) (b) 17. Register October 2010 No. 658, eff. 2-1-11; CR 11-030: am. (1) (b) 13. Register February 2012 No. 674, eff. 3-1-12; CR 13-021: cr. (3) (c) 4. Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; CR 15-024: am. (1) (b) 7., 9., 10., 13., 15. (intro.), d., 16., 17. (intro.), cr. (1) (b) 18., r. (3) (title), (a), (b), renum. (3) (c) to (3) Register November 2015 No. 719, eff. 2-1-16; correction in (1) (b) 15. d. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register November 2015 No. 719; CR 16-037: am. (3) (a), (b) Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17; CR 19-017: r. (1) (b) 5. Register January 2019 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20; CR 19-146: am. (1) (b) 2. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; CR 21-078: am. (1) (b) 15. Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8-1-22.

NR 10.145 NR 10.145 Bobcat, fisher, and otter. Except as provided in sub. (4), no person may hunt or trap, or attempt to hunt or trap, any bobcat unless he or she possesses a current and valid permit from the department and any associated pelt tags for the area or unit in which he or she is hunting or trapping, or for fisher and otter, unless he or she possesses a current and valid harvest authorization issued by the department.

NR 10.145(1) (1) Harvest quotas. The number of bobcat permits and fisher and otter harvest authorizations issued annually shall be determined by the department. The department shall base its determination upon:

NR 10.145(1)(a) (a) Population estimates and trends.

NR 10.145(1)(b) (b) The population goal established in sub. (2) if a goal has been established.

NR 10.145(1)(c) (c) Trends in hunter or trapper success rates.

NR 10.145(2) (2) Population goals.

NR 10.145(2)(a) (a) Fisher. The preharvest population goal for the north and south fisher management zones described under s. NR 10.38 is one fisher per 2 square miles of fisher range.

NR 10.145(2)(b) (b) Bobcat. The preharvest population goal north of the state highway 64 is 2,500 bobcat plus-or-minus 20%.

NR 10.145(3) (3) Application and issuance procedures.

NR 10.145(3)(a) (a) Forms. Applications for permits shall be made on forms provided by the department.

NR 10.145(3)(b) (b) Deadlines. All permit applications shall be postmarked no later than the deadline dates indicated on the form or received by a department service center location on those dates to be considered for selection. The annual application deadlines may not be sooner than July 1.

NR 10.145 Note Note: The department conducts extensive publicity on the application deadlines beginning several months prior to any deadline. Application deadline dates are published in news releases, the department web site at http://dnr.wi.gov, license outlet handouts, and pertinent regulation pamphlets. Department service center hours may vary by location.

NR 10.145(3)(c) (c) Application limit. No person may apply for more than 1 permit for each species.

NR 10.145(3)(d) (d) Random selection. If the number of applications for permits exceeds the number of permits available, successful applicants shall be randomly selected.

NR 10.145(3)(e) (e) Pelt tag issuance. The department shall issue pelt tags to successful permit applicants as follows:

NR 10.145(3)(e)1. 1. ‘Oversubscribed zones.’ If the number of applications for permits is equal to or more than the number of permits available, each successful applicant shall be issued a pelt tag.

NR 10.145(3)(e)2. 2. ‘Undersubscribed zones.’ If the number of applications for permits is less than the number of permits available, the department may:

NR 10.145(3)(e)2.a. a. Randomly issue successful applicants additional pelt tags; or

NR 10.145(3)(e)2.b. b. Make available to any person the remaining permits on a first-come, first-served basis; or

NR 10.145(3)(e)2.c. c. Use both procedures described in subd. 2. a. and b.

NR 10.145(3)(f) (f) Validity. All permits are valid only in the area and for the time period specified on the permit during the open season established for bobcat.

NR 10.145(4) (4) Trapping assistance. A person that holds a current class A, B, C or D hunting permit under s. 29.193 (2), Stats., may be accompanied, as defined in s. 29.193 (2) (a) 1., Stats., by and receive assistance from a person who possesses a valid trapping authorization. The assistance rendered by an accompanying person who possess a valid trapping authorization may include assisting with trap setting, trap tending, tagging and registration of these species if the disabled person has been issued the appropriate approval to do so. The accompanying person shall comply with all trapping rules and laws.

NR 10.145(5) (5) Season closure. The secretary of the department may close a portion or all of any bobcat, otter or fisher season established in s. NR 10.01, upon a finding by the department that the harvest for that season will exceed the level authorized by the department under sub. (1). Closure shall become effective upon issuance of an order and publication in the official state newspaper.

NR 10.145 History History: Cr. Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; am. Register, March, 1975, No. 231, eff. 3-1-75; am. Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; r. and recr., Register, April, 1980, No. 292, eff. 5-1-80; renum. (1) to (3) to be (3) to (5) and cr. (1) and (2), Register, October, 1980, No. 298, eff. 11-1-80; renum. from NR 10.201, Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; am. (1) (b), Register, October, 1983, No. 334, eff. 11-1-83; r. and recr. (3), Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; r. and recr. (1) (b), Register, August, 1986, No. 368, eff. 9-1-86; r. and recr. (1) (c), Register, July, 1989, No. 403, eff. 8-1-89; r. and recr. Register, February, 1993, No. 446, eff. 3-1-93; r. and recr. (5) (a), Register, July, 1995, No. 475, eff. 8-1-95; am. (intro.), (3) (e) (intro.), 1., 2. a., (4) (a) and (c), Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96; am. (5) (a) 1., Register, October, 1997, No. 502 eff. 11-1-97; r. and recr. (2) (a), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 5-1-98; cr. (2) (c) and (7), Register, September, 1999, No. 525, eff. 10-1-99; except (7), eff. 3-1-00; am. (5) (a) 1., (d) and (6) (b), r. (5) (a) 2., Register, September, 2000, No. 537, eff. 5-1-01 except (6) (b), eff. 3-1-01; CR 03-015: am. (2) Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03; CR 04-046: am. (4) (c) Register September 2004 No. 585, eff. 10-1-04; CR 05-031: am. (intro.), (3) (b), (4) (b), (5) (a) 1. and (c) and (6) (b) Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 06-037: am. (4) (a) Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07; CR 08-011: am. (2) (b) Register September 2008 No. 633, eff. 2-1-09; CR 09-015: cr. (3) (f) and (8) Register October 2009 No. 646, eff. 2-1-10; CR 10-051: am. (8) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 13-021: am. (8) (a) Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; CR 13-067: am. (1) (b) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; CR 17-013: am. (2) (a), r. (2) (c), Register February 2018 No. 746 eff. 3-1-18; EmR1613: emerg. r. and recr. (4), r. (5), (6), renum. (7) and (8) to (5) and (6), eff. 3-12-16; CR 17-061: r. and recr. (4), r. (5), (6), renum. (7), (8) to (5), (6) Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; correction in (4) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2018 No. 746; CR 19-017: am. (intro.), (1) (intro.), r. (4), r. and recr. (6) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20 except (intro.) and (1) (intro.), eff. 5-1-20; CR 20-087: am. (intro.), (1) (intro.), r. (6) Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21; CR 23-013: am. (intro.), cr. (4) Register February 2024 No. 818, eff. 3-1-24; correction in (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., and (4) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register February 2024 No. 818.

NR 10.15 NR 10.15 Horicon national wildlife refuge.

NR 10.15(1) (1) Prohibited methods.

NR 10.15(1)(a) (a) Firearm, crossbow, and bow possession. Except as provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or trap any wild animal or have in possession or under control any firearm unless the same is unloaded and enclosed within a carrying case, crossbow unless it is unloaded and enclosed within a case, or any bow and arrow unless the same is unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case, upon the area known as the Horicon national wildlife refuge. The loaded uncased firearm restriction of this paragraph does not apply to a handgun possessed by a person who is authorized by law to possess a concealed handgun in Wisconsin.

NR 10.15(1)(b) (b) Unprotected animal control. Nothing in this section shall prohibit, prevent, or interfere with the U.S. fish and wildlife service, its deputies, agents, or employees in the destruction of unprotected wild animals as listed in s. NR 10.04.

NR 10.15(2) (2) Deer season. A firearm season shall be established for hunting deer except for posted closed areas, pursuant to s. NR 10.01 (3).

NR 10.15(3) (3) Bow and arrow season. An open season for hunting deer with bow and arrow in areas designated by posted notice shall be established pursuant to s. NR 10.01 (3).

NR 10.15(3m) (3m) Crossbow season. An open season for hunting deer with a crossbow in areas designated by posted notice shall be established pursuant to s. NR 10.01 (3) (ep).

NR 10.15(4) (4) Small game season.

NR 10.15(4)(a) (a) Game birds and rabbits. The open season for hunting upland game birds and rabbits shall begin as established by s. NR 10.01 (2) and (3), and continue through the end of the pheasant season each year pursuant to s. NR 10.01 (2) (c), and shall be subject to all other rules covering hunting set forth in this chapter.

NR 10.15(4)(b) (b) Season closure. With the written approval of the department, such season may be closed at any time upon request by the U.S. fish and wildlife service.

NR 10.15(5) (5) Trapping.

NR 10.15(5)(a) (a) Furbearers. With the written approval of the department, an open season may be declared for trapping fur bearing animals.

NR 10.15(5)(b) (b) Permits. If permits are required, they shall be issued by the U.S. fish and wildlife service.

NR 10.15(5)(c) (c) Trap limits. The legal number of traps allowed for each trapper shall be prescribed by the U.S. fish and wildlife service.

NR 10.15(5)(d) (d) Other restrictions. All other rules covering trapping are set forth in this chapter.

NR 10.15(6) (6) Waterfowl season. No person may hunt waterfowl within 75 yards of the south boundary of the Horicon national wildlife refuge during the open season for hunting waterfowl. For purposes of this section, the placement of decoys or shooting at waterfowl which are located within the 75-yard zone immediately outside of the refuge are allowed as long as the hunter does not discharge a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow from within that area when shooting at waterfowl. Legally killed or crippled waterfowl may be retrieved by dog or hand within the closed area.

NR 10.15 History History: 1-2-56; am. Register. August. 1956, No.8, eff. 9-1-56; am. Register. August 1957, No. 20, eff. 9-1-57; r. and recr., Register, August 1958, No. 32, eff. 9-1-58; am. emerg. eff. 11-17-58; r. (1) and (2); am. (3) (c) 1. and 6. and (4) (0.) and (e) 3. a. Register, August, 1969, No. 41, eff. 9-1-59; am. (3) (a), Register, September, 1959, No. 45, eff. 10-1-59; cr. (1) and (2); am, (3) (a) and (e) 1.; r. and recr. (4) (a) and (c) 4. b.; am. (5); cr. (7), Register, September, 1960, No. 57, eff. 10-1-60; r. (1), (2) and (3); am. (4) (c) 3. a. and b.; Register, August, 1961, No. 68, eff. 9-1-61; am. (4) (a) and (c) 3. a. and 4. b., Register, September, 1961, No. 69, eff, 10-1-61; r. and recr. (6) and (7), Register, August, 1962, No. 80, eff. 9-1-62; am. (4) (a) and (c) 3. a.; r. and recr. (4) (e) 3. b. Register, September, 1962, No. 81, eff. 10-1-62; am. (4) (a), (c) 1., 8. d. and e.; cr. (4) (e) 4. e. and 4. d.; am. (4) (e) 5. and 10., Register, September, 1963, No. 93, eff. 10-1-63; emerg. am. (4) (a), eff. 10-19-63; emerg. am. (4) (a), err. 11-1-63; cr. (2); am. (4) (c) 3. e. and 10; Register, August, 1964, No. 104. eff. 9-1-64; am. (4) (a), Register, September, 1964. No. 105, eff. 10-1-64; r. and recr. (2), Register, August, 1965, No. 116. eff. 9-1-66; emerg. am. (4) (a) eff. 9-5-65; emerg. am. (4) (c) 3. a. eff. 9-13-65; am. (2) (a) and (e), Register, August 1966, No. 128, eff. 9-1-66; am. (4) (a) and (c) 4. b. and 14., Register, September, 1966, No. 129, eff. 10-1-66; r. and recr. (2), Register, August, 1967, No. 140, eff. 9-1-67; emerg. r. (4) and emerg. am. (5), eff. 9-1-67; am. (2) (a) and (c), (5) and (6) (a), r. (4), Register, August, 1968, No. 152, eff. 9-1-68; am. (2) (a) and (c); emerg. am. (5) and (6) (a), eff. 9-30-68; am. (5) and (6) (a). Register, August, 1969, No. 164, eff. 9-1-69; renum. WCD 10.15 to NR 10.15; am. (2) (a) and (e), Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (2) (a) and (c), Register, August, 1971, No. 188, eff. 9-1-71; am. (2) (a) and r. (2) (b) to (e), Register, September, 1971, No. 189, eff. 10-1-71; am. (5), (6) and (7), Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; am. (6), Register, January, 1977, No. 253, eff. 2-1-77; r. and recr. Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; am. (5) (a), Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; cr. (6), Register, July, 1988, No. 391, eff. 8-1-88; emerg. am. (6) eff. 8-31-06; CR 06-074: am. (6) Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 1-1-07; emerg. am. (6), eff. 8-30-07; CR 07-055: am. (6) Register January 2008 No. 625, eff. 2-1-08; CR 13-021: am. (2) Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; EmR1420: emerg. am. (1) (a), cr. (3m), am. (6), eff. 9-12-14; CR 13-071: am. (1) (a), cr. (3m), am. (6) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; CR 23-025: am. (6) Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24.

NR 10.16 NR 10.16 Necedah national wildlife refuge, Juneau county. Except as provided in subs. (1), (2), (3), and (4), it shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, kill, hunt, trap or pursue any species of wild animal or bird at any time, or have in possession or under control any firearm unless the same is unloaded and enclosed within a carrying case, crossbow unless it is unloaded and enclosed within a case, or any bow and arrow unless the same is unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case, upon that area known as the Necedah national wildlife refuge, Juneau county, Wisconsin. Nothing in this section shall prohibit, prevent or interfere with the U.S. fish and wildlife service, its deputies, agents or employees in the destruction of unprotected wild animals as listed in s. NR 10.04. The loaded uncased firearm restriction of this paragraph does not apply to a handgun possessed by a person who is authorized by law to possess a concealed handgun in Wisconsin.

NR 10.16(1) (1) Trapping. Within the discretion of the U.S. fish and wildlife service, an open season for the taking of fur-bearing animals may be declared within the Necedah national wildlife refuge upon written approval of the department, which shall designate the species to be taken and establish opening and closing dates. Trapping on the Necedah national wildlife refuge shall be conducted under written permit from the U.S. fish and wildlife service. Such permit shall be subject to all the rules and regulations governing trapping set forth in this chapter.

NR 10.16(2) (2) Archery season. An open season for hunting deer, and unprotected wild animals as listed in s. NR 10.04, with bow and arrow shall be established on the Necedah national wildlife refuge and said season shall be concurrent with the statewide season for bow and arrow established in s. NR 10.01 (3) (em). Such open season shall be effective only in those areas on the Necedah national wildlife refuge designated by posted notices of the U.S. fish and wildlife service. No special permits shall be required, but hunting licenses and deer harvest authorizations as required by statutes and this chapter are necessary.

NR 10.16(2m) (2m) Crossbow season. An open season for hunting deer, and unprotected wild animals as listed in s. NR 10.04, with a crossbow shall be established on the Necedah national wildlife refuge and said season shall be concurrent with the state-wide crossbow deer season established s. NR 10.01 (3) (ep). Such open season shall be effective only in those areas on the Necedah national wildlife refuge designated by posted notices of the U.S. fish and wildlife service. No special permits shall be required, but hunting licenses and deer harvest authorizations as required by statutes and this chapter are necessary.

NR 10.16(3) (3) Firearm season. An open season for hunting deer, and unprotected wild animals as listed in s. NR 10.04, with firearms shall be established on the Necedah national wildlife refuge and such season shall fall within the season established for the remainder of Juneau county in s. NR 10.01 (3) (e). Such open season shall be effective only on those areas on the Necedah national wildlife refuge designated by posted notice of the U.S. fish and wildlife service. No special permits shall be required, but hunting licenses and deer harvest authorizations as required by statutes under s. NR 10.01 (3) (e) shall apply.

NR 10.16(4) (4) Turkey season. An open season for hunting wild turkeys as listed in s. NR 10.01 (2) (f) is established on the Necedah national wildlife refuge, and such season shall be concurrent with the open season for hunting turkeys as described in s. NR 10.01 (2) (f). Such open season shall be effective only in those areas on the Necedah national wildlife refuge designated by posted notices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunting on the Necedah national wildlife refuge shall be restricted to only those persons holding a valid principal or guest turkey hunting harvest authorization issued by the department.

NR 10.16 History History: 1-2-56, am. (1) and (2), Register, August, 1956, No. 8, eff. 9-1-56; am. intro. par., (1) and (2), Register, August, 1957, No. 20, eff. 9-1-57; r. intro, par., (1) and (2), and recr. intro. par., (1) and (2), and cr. (3), Register, August, 1958, No. 32, eff. 9-1-58; am. (3), Register, September, 1959, No. 45, eff. 10-1-59; r. and recr., Register, August, 1962, No. 80, eff. 9-1-62; am. intro. par. and cr. (4), Register, March, 1967, No. 135, eff. 4-1-67; renum. to be NR 10.16, Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (4), Register, October, 1975, No. 238, eff. 11-1-75; am. Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; EmR1420: emerg. am. (intro.), (2), cr. (2m), eff. 9-12-14; CR 13-071: am. (intro.), (2), cr. (2m) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; EmR1902: emerg. am. (2), (2m), (3), (4) eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: am. (2), (2m), (3), (4) Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19.

NR 10.20 NR 10.20 Wolf management zones.

NR 10.20 History History: Cr. Register, September, 2000, No. 537, eff. 5-1-01.

NR 10.22 NR 10.22 Sandhill wildlife demonstration area, Wood county.

NR 10.22(1) (1) Prohibited methods. It shall be unlawful for any person to take, catch, kill, hunt, trap or pursue any species of wild animal or bird at any time, or have in possession or under control any firearm unless the same is unloaded and enclosed within a carrying case, crossbow unless the same is unloaded and enclosed within a carrying case, or any bow and arrow unless the same is unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case upon that area known as the Sandhill wildlife demonstration area in Wood county, Wisconsin, except as provided in this section. The loaded uncased firearm restriction of this paragraph does not apply to a handgun possessed by a person who is authorized by law to possess a concealed handgun in Wisconsin.

NR 10.22(2) (2) Sandhill outdoor skills center.

NR 10.22(2)(a) (a) Purpose. The primary purpose of the Sandhill outdoor skills center is to teach wildlife-related outdoor skills. Wildlife-related outdoor skills are those relating to fishing, hunting, viewing, tracking, trapping, photography, management, study, and conservation of wildlife.

NR 10.22(2)(b) (b) Demonstration area use. The department may limit use of the Sandhill wildlife demonstration area to persons participating in outdoor skills training programs.

NR 10.22(2)(c) (c) Training authorization. Subject to state law and federal regulations, the department may modify or waive hunting, trapping, and property use rules respecting participants in a Sandhill outdoor skills training program. The modification or waiver shall be writing delivered to each participant upon a finding that it is necessary to achieve the objectives of the training program and consistent with the purpose in par. (a).

NR 10.22(2)(d) (d) Program participation limits. The department may limit the number of participants and establish application deadlines and prerequisites for programs at the Sandhill outdoor skills center. The department shall publish any applicable participation limits and program prerequisites as a part of any training program application forms or program guides developed by the department.

NR 10.22(2)(e) (e) Application procedures. Applications to participate in any Sandhill outdoor skills center program shall be on forms supplied by the department. No person may submit more than one application per program. All applications shall be mailed or delivered to: Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413.

NR 10.22(2)(f) (f) Participant selection. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the program participation limit, the department may select program participants using either a first-come, first-served or random selection process.

NR 10.22(2)(g) (g) Fees. The department may charge program participants fees equivalent to the costs of providing the program training. All fees shall be paid in advance of program participation.

NR 10.22(3) (3) Hunting.

NR 10.22(3)(a) (a) Permit restrictions. No person may hunt on the demonstration area without first obtaining a permit issued by the department. Permits shall be issued without charge.

NR 10.22(3)(a)1. 1. ‘Effective dates.’ Permits are valid only for the date of issue and shall be returned to the established check-out station immediately upon termination of hunting.

NR 10.22(3)(a)2. 2. ‘Compartment limits.’ All hunting is restricted to the type of game and compartment designated on the permit.

NR 10.22(3)(a)3. 3. ‘Quotas.’ Daily hunting permits shall be limited by the department based upon environmental conditions and annual research objectives.

NR 10.22(3)(a)4. 4. ‘Exhibition required.’ All harvested game shall be exhibited at the established check-out station as described on the permit.

NR 10.22(3)(a)5. 5. ‘Limitations.’ Permits issued to an individual are not transferrable and may not be altered or defaced.

NR 10.22(3)(a)6. 6. ‘Reports.’ Permit holders may be required to provide hunt information on department forms at the established check-out station.

NR 10.22(3)(b) (b) Permit application procedures. Any person possessing a valid Wisconsin hunting license may apply for a hunting permit.

NR 10.22(3)(b)1. 1. ‘Forms.’ Application shall be made on department forms.

NR 10.22(3)(b)2. 2. ‘Issuance period.’ Daily permits may be issued by the department at established check-in stations on a first-come, first-served basis or by random selection of mailed applications. Mailed applications are subject to the following restrictions:

NR 10.22(3)(b)2.a. a. No person may submit more than one application. Submission of more than one application shall disqualify the application permit eligibility.

NR 10.22(3)(b)2.b. b. Group applications up to and including 4 hunters will be honored provided each applicant completes the application form and all forms are submitted in one envelope marked “group application” on the outside.

NR 10.22(3)(b)3. 3. ‘Self-completed permits.’ Applications for hunting any game species except deer shall be completed by the applicant in person the day of the hunt. The self-completed permit portion of the application shall be retained by the applicant until the hunt is completed.

NR 10.22(3)(b)4. 4. ‘University of Wisconsin research.’ Permits may be issued to the university of Wisconsin for research purposes under a cooperative agreement with the department.

NR 10.22(3)(b)5. 5. ‘Waiting procedure.’ Hunters waiting to apply for permits shall form a single line. Each vehicle in line may contain no more than 5 applicants and shall be occupied at all times by all persons applying for permits that day.

NR 10.22(3)(c) (c) Season and bag limits. The hunting season and bag limits for all game species are established in s. NR 10.01 and may continue no longer than the Sunday immediately prior to the deer season established in subd. 2. with the following exceptions:

NR 10.22(3)(c)1. 1. ‘Rabbits and hares.’ Snowshoe hare and cottontail rabbit hunting shall open on the Saturday nearest September 15.

NR 10.22(3)(c)2. 2. ‘Deer.’ Deer hunting shall be established at the discretion of the department and continue until the annual harvest objective is obtained. The sex and type of legal deer shall be established by permit.

NR 10.22(3)(c)3. 3. ‘Extended seasons.’ The seasons for any game species may be resumed at the discretion of the department and continue through December 31.

NR 10.22(3)(d) (d) Shooting hours. The shooting hours for all species shall be the hours established in s. NR 10.06.

NR 10.22(3)(e) (e) Information. Information on the availability of hunting and trapping permits, permit application procedures, species which may be taken and other applicable conditions of taking on the demonstration area for each calendar year, except for extended seasons, shall be made available by the department at the demonstration area, district and Madison offices no later than August 1 of that year. Information relating to extended seasons shall be made available in the same manner prior to the extended season opening.

NR 10.22(3)(f) (f) Deer hunting rule compliance. Except as provided otherwise in this section or in a permit issued under this section, the permittee shall comply with all hunting, tagging, transportation and registration rules specified under ch. NR 10 and ch. 29, Stats. Permittees who fail to comply with these rules shall be subject to the penalty applicable to the appropriate ch. NR 10 or ch. 29, Stats., violation.