Chapter NR 17

NR 17.001(2) (2) “Department lands” means lands under the management and control of the department.

NR 17.001(3) (3) “Dog training” means actively developing a dog’s ability to retrieve, point, flush, or track game for the purpose of hunting, dog trial competition or hunt testing.

NR 17.001(4) (4) “Dog club” means an organization that owns or leases land for the purpose of training bird dogs or hound dogs to retrieve, point, flush or track game.

NR 17.001(5) (5) “Dog trial” means any organized competitive field event involving sporting dog breeds which is sanctioned, licensed or recognized by a local, state, regional or national dog organization.

NR 17.001(5m) (5m) “Fox” for the purpose of this chapter and ss. 169.20 and 169.21, Stats., means red and gray fox.

NR 17.001 Note Note: “Fox” includes all color phases of the red fox.

NR 17.001(5s) (5s) “Hound dog training enclosure” means a fenced area of land that is used as the primary enclosure for captive wild coyote, fox, or rabbit held under a dog training club, hound dog training or hound dog trial license into which dogs are released for the purpose of dog training or trials.

NR 17.001(6) (6) “Hunt” or “hunting” includes shooting, shooting at, pursuing, taking, capturing or killing or attempting to capture or kill any wild animal.

NR 17.001(7) (7) “Northern restricted zone” means that portion of the state north of the highway described in s. NR 10.07 (1) (i).

NR 17.001(7m) (7m) “Owner” or “operator” means the person who owns the property on which a hound dog training enclosure exists, or a manager, or a lessee of the property who has an agreement with the owner of the enclosed lands to retain possession or control of the improvements to the property during the term of the lease.

NR 17.001(8) (8) “Primary enclosure” means the pen or cage any captive wild animals are kept in when not being used for training.

NR 17.001(8m) (8m) “Rabbit” for the purpose of this chapter and ss. 169.20 and 169.21, Stats., means cottontail rabbits, jack rabbits and snowshoe hare.

NR 17.001(9) (9) “Roll cage” means a rolling cage built to confine a captive wild animal for dog training purposes.

NR 17.001 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 05-104: renum. (1) to be (1s), cr. (1), (1e), (1m), (5m), (5s), (7m) and (8m), Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07.

NR 17.01 NR 17.01 Bird dog training license.

NR 17.01(1) (1) Authority. A bird dog training license authorizes the licensee to possess and use for dog training purposes only, captive bred quail of the subfamily odontophorinae, gray partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge, mallard duck, and pheasants of the species phasianus colchicus or syrmaticus reevesii. The license does not authorize commercial shoots or organized hunts involving any of these species or the selling, breeding or propagation of bobwhite quail or mallard ducks.

NR 17.01 Note Note: The selling, breeding or propagation of captive pheasants of the species phasianus colchicus or syrmaticus reevesii, gray partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge and quail of the subfamily odontophorinae that are not bobwhite quail is allowed pursuant to ss. 169.08 (2), 169.10 (1) (b) and (2) (a) 2., Stats. Commercial shoots may only take place as authorized by a bird hunting preserve license.

NR 17.01(2) (2) Conditions. The licensee shall be subject to all of the following conditions:

NR 17.01(2)(a) (a) Display of license. Be in possession of a bird dog training license while engaged in dog training activities and make the license available to any authorized department agent upon request.

NR 17.01(2)(d) (d) Proof of legal possession. Be in possession of a receipt or invoice meeting the requirements of s. NR 17.11 indicating the captive wild birds were purchased or obtained from a legal source. The licensee shall make the receipt or invoice available to any authorized department agent upon request.

NR 17.01(2)(e) (e) Care and treatment. Captive wild birds possessed for dog training purposes shall be treated in a humane manner and confined under sanitary conditions with proper and adequate space, shade, food and fresh water. If birds are severely injured, they shall be humanely killed. Primary and transportation enclosures for the captive wild birds shall meet the requirements in ss. NR 16.30 and 16.38.

NR 17.01(2)(f) (f) Captive wild bird identification. All captive wild birds specified in s. 169.19 (2) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., except mallards identified as required under 50 CFR 21.13(b), chukar partridge, and red-legged partridge, released and killed under the authority of a dog training license shall, prior to release, be marked around the leg with a band supplied by the department.

NR 17.01(2)(g) (g) Bird bands. The licensee may not have on their person while engaged in dog training any unused department dog training bird bands. Birds that are not banded or identified as required in par. (f) may not be killed during training exercises.

NR 17.01(3) (3) Exceptions. Bird dog training licenses are not required on licensed bird hunting preserves or licensed dog club training properties.

NR 17.01 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 19-146: r. (2) (b), (c) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.

NR 17.02 NR 17.02 Hound dog training license.

NR 17.02(1) (1) Authority. A hound dog training license authorizes the licensee to possess and use captive bobcat, coyote, fox, raccoons or rabbits for dog training purposes, and use captive black bear possessed under the authority of a captive wild animal farm license for dog training purposes. The license does not authorize commercial or organized shoots, selling, breeding or propagating of animals or training of dogs with the use of captive bear on department lands.

NR 17.02 Note Note: Unintentional reproduction of rabbits in pens is not a violation of this section.

NR 17.02 Note Note: The unintentional breeding of rabbits in training enclosures is not a violation of this section.

NR 17.02(2) (2) Conditions. The licensee shall be subject to all of the following conditions:

NR 17.02(2)(a) (a) Display of license. Be in possession of a hound dog training license while engaged in dog training activities and make the license available to any authorized department agent upon request.

NR 17.02(2)(b) (b) Location. Train only on the properties identified on the license. The properties shall be identified by township, range, section and name of the property owner or by specific department property name.

NR 17.02(2)(c) (c) Private property owner identification. On properties other than department lands the application shall include the name, address and phone number of the owner of the property where dogs are being trained.

NR 17.02(2)(d) (d) Proof of legal possession. Any person using captive wild animals for dog training shall possess a receipt or invoice meeting the requirements of s. NR 17.11 and indicating the captive animals were purchased or obtained from a licensed captive wild animal farm, wild fur farm or other legal source. The licensee shall make the receipt or invoice available to any authorized department agent upon request.

NR 17.02(3) (3) Care and housing.

NR 17.02(3)(a) (a) Captive coyote, fox and rabbit. Captive coyote, fox and rabbit obtained in accordance with s. NR 17.047 and possessed for dog training purposes may only be kept within a hound dog training enclosure that is permitted and that meets the requirements established under s. NR 17.045, except that these species may be confined or controlled on a temporary basis in accordance with ss. NR 16.30 and 16.38 for the purpose of health care or treatment, transportation from one enclosure to another or special handling needs when not being used for training dogs. For special handling needs and transportation, coyote, fox and rabbit shall be housed in accordance with ss. NR 16.30 and 16.38.

NR 17.02(3)(b) (b) Captive bear, bobcat and raccoon. Captive bear, bobcat and raccoon obtained in accordance with s. NR 17.047 may be used for dog training purposes provided:

NR 17.02(3)(b)1. 1. The bear is possessed under authority of a captive wild animal farm license.

NR 17.02(3)(b)2. 2. Bear, bobcat and raccoon, when not being used for training purposes, are housed in accordance with ss. NR 16.30 and 16.38.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3. 3. The bear, bobcat or raccoon is kept in a cage at all times. The cage shall be constructed so that all of the following requirements are met:

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.a. a. The cage is strong enough to contain the bear, bobcat or raccoon securely and comfortably and to withstand the normal rigors of training.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.b. b. The interior of the cage has no sharp points or edges and no protrusions that could injure the bear, bobcat or raccoon contained in it.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.c. c. The bear, bobcat or raccoon is at all times securely contained within a cage in a way that it is not likely to result in injury to itself, to handlers, or to persons or animals nearby.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.d. d. The cage containing the bear has a mesh size no greater than 2 inches square.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.e. e. The cage shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient space to allow the bear, bobcat or raccoon to make normal postural adjustments with adequate freedom of movement to sit, stand on all 4 legs, turn around and lie in a normal manner.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.f. f. The cage shall be designed to allow urine and feces to drain from the cage.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.g. g. Permanent devices such as handles or handholds shall be provided on the exterior that enables the cage to be lifted and ensures that anyone handling the cage will not come into physical contact with the bear, bobcat or raccoon contained inside.

NR 17.02(3)(b)3.h. h. When the cage is elevated in a tree or on a pole for training purposes, the cage shall be raised a minimum of 10 feet off the ground.

NR 17.02(3)(b)4. 4. All individuals except the owner of the captive animal, the owner’s designee or the dog handler shall be kept at least 4 feet from the cage. For bear, a barrier shall be provided to assure that individuals other than the owner, designee or handlers are kept 4 feet from the cage.

NR 17.02(3)(b)5. 5. Dogs shall be kept a minimum of one foot from the cage at all times by restraint, cage design or barrier fence except where the cage is covered by solid material, which prevents all physical contact between the dog and the captive animal. The one foot minimum distance does not apply to raccoon training with the use of roll cages.

NR 17.02(3)(b)6. 6. The cage shall be adequately shaded at all times.

NR 17.02(3)(b)7. 7. The bear, bobcat or raccoon shall have access to fresh water.

NR 17.02(3)(b)8. 8. Roll cages may not be used for dog training with bear or bobcat.

NR 17.02(3)(c) (c) Training periods.

NR 17.02(3)(c)1. 1. The length of time that captive wild bear, bobcat or raccoon may be used for training exercises may not exceed 12 hours within a 24-hour period. Captive wild bear, bobcat and raccoon shall be provided with a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of rest within a 24-hour period. Additionally, a bear, bobcat or raccoon used for training, may not be housed in an enclosure that does not meet the primary enclosure standards in s. NR 16.30 (4) for a period of more than 72 hours.

NR 17.02(3)(c)2. 2. The length of time that training activity may occur in a hound dog training enclosure containing captive coyote or fox may not exceed 16 hours within a 24-hour period. A minimum of 8 consecutive hours of rest within a 24-hour period shall be provided during which no dog training or trialing may take place within an enclosure containing captive coyote or fox.

NR 17.02 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 05-104: am. (1), r. and recr. (3), Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07; CR 10-051: am. (3) (a) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11.

NR 17.03 NR 17.03 Dog club training license.

NR 17.03(1) (1) Authority. A dog club training license authorizes the club members to possess and use captive wild pheasants of the species phasianus colchicus or syrmaticus reevesii, quail of the subfamily odontophorinae, gray partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge, and mallard ducks that are bred in captivity for bird dog training. A dog club training license authorizes the club members to possess and use captive wild bobcat, coyote, fox, rabbits and raccoons in accordance with the provisions outlined in ss. NR 17.02 (3) and 17.045 for hound dog training. The license does not authorize the use of captive bear, commercial shoots, animal selling, breeding or propagation.

NR 17.03 Note Note: Pursuant to s. 29.304, Stats., no one under the age of 12 may possess a firearm. A person under the age of 12 may be a member of a dog training club and may train dogs with the use of captive wild animals as authorized under the dog training club license, but may not possess a firearm as part of the training activity.

NR 17.03 Note Note: Unintentional reproduction of rabbits in pens is not a violation of this section.

NR 17.03 Note Note: The unintentional breeding of rabbits in training enclosures is not a violation of this section.

NR 17.03(2) (2) Conditions. When training under the authority of the dog club training license, the licensee and its members shall be subject to all of the following conditions:

NR 17.03(2)(a) (a) Display of license. Be in possession of a dog club training license at the clubhouse or training grounds where the training activity is occurring. If a club member is engaged in training activities but not within one-quarter mile of the clubhouse, the member shall be in possession of a copy of the club training license. Club members shall make the license available to any authorized department agent upon request. For dog clubs utilizing a hound dog training enclosure permitted under s. NR 17.045, a ledger of all club members shall be kept at the enclosure and provided to the department upon request.

NR 17.03(2)(b) (b) Location. Train only on the properties identified on the license. The properties shall be identified by township, range, section and name of the property owner.

NR 17.03(2)(c) (c) Proof of legal possession. Any licensee or its members using captive wild birds or wild animals for dog training shall possess a receipt or invoice meeting the requirements of s. NR 17.11 indicating the captive birds or animals were purchased or obtained from a legal source. Club members shall make the receipt or invoice available to any authorized department agent upon request.

NR 17.03(2)(d) (d) Care and treatment. Captive wild birds, bobcat, coyote, fox, rabbits and raccoons possessed for dog training purposes shall be treated in a humane manner and confined under sanitary conditions with proper and adequate space, shade, food and fresh water. Individuals using captive wild birds or animals for training purposes are responsible for following all rules pertaining to the use of birds for dog training purposes under s. NR 17.01 and all rules established under s. NR 17.02 for hound dog training under the authority of a dog club training license.

NR 17.03(2)(e) (e) Captive wild bird identification. All captive wild birds specified in s. 169.19 (2) (b) 1. to 6., Stats., except mallards identified as required under 50 CFR 21.13 (b), chukar partridge, and red-legged partridge released and killed under the authority of a dog training license shall, prior to release, be marked around the leg with a band supplied by the department.

NR 17.03(2)(f) (f) Bird bands. No person may have on their person while engaged in dog training any unused department dog training bird bands. Birds that are not banded or identified as required in par. (e) may not be killed during training exercises.

NR 17.03 History History: CR 03-031: cr. Register October 2003 No. 574, eff. 11-1-03; CR 05-104: am. (1) (2) (a) and (d), r. (2) (d) 1. to 4. and (g), Register June 2007 No. 618, eff. 7-1-07.

NR 17.04 NR 17.04 Dog training on free roaming wild animals and additional restrictions on dogs.

NR 17.04(1) (1) Authority. Except as described in subs. (2) and (3), any person may train dogs on free-roaming wild animals without a dog training license.

NR 17.04(2) (2) Prohibitions.

NR 17.04(2)(a) (a) Department lands. On department lands open to public hunting that are not designated open to dog training under s. NR 17.05, dogs shall be controlled by a person using a leash which is no more than 8 feet in length from April 15 through July 31 except as described in sub. (3).

NR 17.04(2)(b) (b) Northern restricted zone. Dog training on any free roaming wild animal is prohibited May 1 to June 30 on all lands within the northern restricted zone except as described in sub. (3) (a).

NR 17.04(2)(c) (c) Bear dog training. A person may not use dogs to pursue wild bear except as provided in sub. (3) (c).

NR 17.04(2)(d) (d) Killing wild animals. No person engaged in training dogs may kill or cause to be killed any free roaming wild animal including unprotected wild animals as defined in s. NR 19.001 (17) without department approval.

NR 17.04(3) (3) Exceptions.

NR 17.04(3)(a) (a) Northern restricted zone hound dog training on raccoon and rabbits. A person may train dogs on captive or free-roaming raccoons and rabbits in the northern restricted zone May 1 to June 30 provided all the following apply:

NR 17.04(3)(a)1. 1. The licensee applies for and receives a hound dog training license.

NR 17.04(3)(a)2. 2. The licensee shall list no more than 3 townships in the same or adjoining counties.

NR 17.04(3)(a)3. 3. The department approves the property locations listed.

NR 17.04(3)(a)4. 4. No more than 2 dogs in a single pack may be used to pursue raccoon or rabbit regardless of the number of persons assisting or accompanying the hound dog training license holder and regardless of the dog ownership.

NR 17.04(3)(a)5. 5. The licensee complies with any restrictions placed on a license to prevent the intentional or unintentional pursuit of wild bear.

NR 17.04(3)(b) (b) Hound dog training on free-roaming raccoons and rabbit. Except where prohibited by s. NR 45.06, from July 1 to the following April 14th, hound dogs may be trained on free-roaming raccoons and rabbits on department lands without a leash.

NR 17.04(3)(c) (c) Bear dog training. Except where prohibited by s. NR 45.06, an individual may use dogs to pursue wild bear without a leash from July 1 to August 31 and at times when the season for hunting bears is open in places where it is legal to hunt bear with aid of dogs provided the individual possesses a class A bear license issued under s. 29.184, Stats., and:

NR 17.04(3)(c)1. 1. Each dog is uniquely tattooed or wears a collar with the owner’s name and address attached.

NR 17.04(3)(c)2. 2. No more than 6 dogs in a single pack may be used to pursue bear regardless of the number of persons assisting the bear hunting licensee and regardless of the dog ownership.

NR 17.04(3)(c)3. 3. Training during the open season for hunting bears only occurs during the hours when it is also legal to shoot bears while hunting with dogs as established in ch. NR 10.