Chapter 29

29.036 History History: 2011 a. 168.

29.037 29.037 Fish and wildlife restoration. This state assents to the provisions of 16 USC 669 to 669i and 777 to 777L. The department is authorized and directed to perform any acts necessary to establish cooperative wildlife restoration projects and cooperative fish restoration and management projects in compliance with these federal provisions and with regulations promulgated by the secretary of the interior. No funds accruing to this state from license fees paid by hunters and from sport and recreation fishing license fees may be diverted for any other purpose than the administration of the department when it is exercising its responsibilities that are specific to the management of the fish and wildlife resources of this state.

29.037 History History: 1997 a. 248 s. 402; 2001 a. 16.

29.038 29.038 Local regulation of wild animals.

29.038(1) (1) In this section:

29.038(1)(a) (a) “Local governmental unit” has the meaning given in s. 16.97 (7).

29.038(1)(b) (b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county.

29.038(2) (2) No local governmental unit may enact any ordinance or adopt any regulation, resolution or other restriction for the purpose of regulating the hunting, fishing, trapping or management of wild animals, except as follows:

29.038(2)(a) (a) A local governmental unit may enact an ordinance or adopt any regulation, resolution or other restriction that is authorized under this chapter.

29.038(2)(b) (b) A local governmental unit may enact an ordinance or adopt any regulation, resolution or other restriction that restricts or prohibits access for hunting, fishing or trapping in any portion of land that it owns or leases.

29.038(3) (3) 

29.038(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a local governmental unit may enact an ordinance or adopt a regulation, resolution or other restriction that has an incidental effect on hunting, fishing or trapping, but only if the primary purpose is to further public health or safety.

29.038(3)(b) (b)

29.038(3)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph:

29.038(3)(b)1.a. a. “Building” means a permanent structure used for human occupancy and includes a manufactured home, as defined in s. 101.91 (2).

29.038(3)(b)1.b. b. “Restriction” means an ordinance, regulation, resolution, or other restriction enacted or adopted by a local governmental unit.

29.038(3)(b)2. 2. Except as provided in subd. 3., if a local governmental unit has in effect on or after July 14, 2015, a restriction that prohibits a person from hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow within the jurisdiction of that local governmental unit, the restriction does not apply and may not be enforced.

29.038(3)(b)3. 3. A local governmental unit may enact or adopt a restriction that does any of the following:

29.038(3)(b)3.a. a. Prohibits a person from hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow within a specified distance, not to exceed 100 yards, from a building located on another person’s land. A restriction enacted or adopted under this subd. 3. a. shall provide that the restriction does not apply if the person who owns the land on which the building is located allows the hunter to hunt within the specified distance of the building.

29.038(3)(b)3.b. b. Requires a person who hunts with a bow and arrow or crossbow to discharge the arrow or bolt from the respective weapon toward the ground.

29.038(4) (4) If the department determines that an ordinance, regulation, resolution or other restriction enacted or adopted by a local governmental unit exceeds the authority granted to local governmental units in this section, the department may issue a notice to the local governmental unit of the department’s intent to issue an order under this subsection. The department shall hold an informal hearing on the matter if a hearing is requested by the local governmental unit within 30 days after it receives the notice. The informal hearing is not a contested case under ch. 227. Following the hearing or following the failure of the local governmental unit to request a hearing within 30 days after it receives the notice, the department may issue an order declaring the ordinance, regulation, resolution or other restriction void.

29.038 History History: 1997 a. 170; 1999 a. 32 s. 42; Stats. 1997 s. 29.038; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2013 a. 71; 2015 a. 55.

29.038 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 19.40, Wis. adm. code.

29.039 29.039 Nongame species.

29.039(1) (1) The department may conduct investigations of nongame species to develop scientific information relating to population, distribution, habitat needs, and other biological data to determine necessary conservation measures. The department may develop conservation programs to ensure the perpetuation of nongame species. The department may require harvest information and may establish limitations relating to taking, possession, transportation, processing and sale or offer for sale, of nongame species.

29.039(2) (2) Any rules promulgated or programs developed under this section may not impede, hinder or prohibit the utilization of lands for the construction, operation or maintenance of utility facilities otherwise authorized or permitted.

29.039 History History: 1977 c. 370; 1979 c. 154; 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1); 1997 a. 248 s. 405; Stats. 1997 s. 29.039.

29.039 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 10.02, 10.04, 19.26, 19.27, and 19.275, Wis. adm. code.

29.039 Annotation “Taking,” as used in this section, includes those activities delineated under the definition of “hunting” in s. 29.001 (42), such as killing, shooting, shooting at, trapping, and pursuing. Wisconsin Citizens Concerned for Cranes & Doves v. DNR, 2004 WI 40, 270 Wis. 2d 318, 677 N.W.2d 612, 02-1166.

29.040 29.040 Deer management report rules. The department may promulgate rules to implement the recommendations contained in the 2012 final report of the assessment of this state’s deer management plans and policies that was conducted under the terms of a contract between the department of administration and a recognized deer management expert.

29.040 History History: 2013 a. 20.

29.041 29.041 Department to regulate hunting and fishing in interstate waters. The department may regulate hunting and fishing on and in all interstate boundary waters, and outlying waters.

29.041 History History: 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (38); 1997 a. 248 s. 118; Stats. 1997 s. 29.041.

29.041 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. NR 20, 24, and 25, Wis. adm. code.

29.042 29.042 Agreements to retire licenses.

29.042(1) (1) Beginning on January 1, 1998, the department may not enter into any agreement to make payments to persons holding approvals issued under s. 29.501, 29.503, 29.506, 29.509, 29.512, 29.514, 29.519, 29.523, 29.526, 29.529, 29.531, 29.533, 29.537, 29.607, 29.611, or 29.614 in exchange for the retirement of the approval or for the temporary or permanent cessation of any activity authorized under the approval.

29.042(2) (2) Notwithstanding sub. (1), an agreement entered into by the department before October 14, 1997, to make payments to persons holding commercial fishing licenses in exchange for the retirement of the licenses or for the permanent or temporary cessation of commercial fishing shall remain valid except that no moneys may be expended from the conservation fund to make payments under the agreement.

29.042 History History: 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 119, 120; Stats. 1997 s. 29.042; 2001 a. 56.

29.043 29.043 Interstate comity.

29.043(1) (1) Whenever any other state confers upon the officers of this state reciprocal powers, any officer of the other state, who is authorized to enforce the laws of that state relating to the protection of wild animals, is designated an agent of that state within this state. The officer may follow any wild animal or carcass unlawfully shipped or taken from the officer’s state into this state, and seize and convey it back to the officer’s state. The laws of the state concerning the wild animal or carcass from which the wild animal or carcass was brought into this state are adopted as the laws of this state. Transportation companies shall deliver to the officer, upon submission of proper proof of the officer’s official capacity, any wild animal or carcass that is seized by the officer. The officer may dispose of a wild animal or carcass within this state, in accordance with the laws of the officer’s state, under the supervision of the department. Expenses for the department’s assistance shall be a lien upon the wild animal or carcass, or proceeds of the sale.

29.043(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (1), the department may seize, hold and dispose, according to the laws of this state, of any wild animal or carcass brought or shipped into or through this state, or attempted to be carried through this state, in violation of the laws of any other state.

29.043(3) (3) The officers of every other state charged with enforcing the laws of another state relating to wild animals are designated agents of this state for the taking possession, seizing, holding and disposing, within the other state, of any wild animal or carcass protected by the laws of this state.

29.043(4) (4) If any other state confers upon the officers of this state reciprocal powers, the department may appoint persons who are charged with enforcing the laws of the other state relating to wild animals to act as wardens of this state, but without compensation from this state.

29.043 History History: 1971 c. 164; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 248 s. 117; Stats. 1997 s. 29.043.

29.045 29.045 Interstate license privileges.

29.045(1) (1) Fishing privileges. If the state of Michigan, Minnesota or Iowa confers upon the fishing licensees of this state reciprocal rights, privileges and immunities, a fishing license issued by the other state entitles the licensee to the rights, privileges and immunities, in and upon the boundary waters between the states, of the holder of an equivalent license issued by this state, but subject to the duties, responsibilities and liabilities imposed on its own licensees by this state.

29.045(2) (2) Commercial clamming privileges. If the state of Michigan, Minnesota or Iowa confers upon the commercial clamming licensees of this state reciprocal rights, privileges and immunities, any commercial clamming license issued by the other state entitles the licensee to the rights, privileges and immunities, in and upon the boundary waters between Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa and this state, of the holder of an equivalent license issued by this state, but subject to the duties, responsibilities and liabilities imposed on licensees by this state.

29.045 History History: 1985 a. 289; 1997 a. 248 s. 377; Stats. 1997 s. 29.045.

29.045 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. NR 21, 22, and 23 and ss. NR 20.38 and 24.05, Wis. adm. code.

29.047 29.047 Interstate transportation of game.

29.047(1) (1) 

29.047(1)(a) (a) In this section:

29.047(1)(a)2. 2. “Game” means any wild animal, wild bird or game fish.

29.047(1)(a)3. 3. “Indian land” means all land within the exterior boundaries of an Indian reservation in this state and all other land in this state that is held in trust for an Indian tribe or for a member of an Indian tribe.

29.047(1)(a)4. 4. “Indian tribe” means a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band.

29.047(1)(a)5. 5. “Transport” includes to cause to be transported, to deliver or offer to deliver for transportation and to receive or offer to receive for transportation.

29.047(1)(b) (b)

29.047(1)(b)1. 1. No person in this state may transport into or through this state any game, or its carcass, from any other state in violation of any law of the other state.

29.047(1)(b)2. 2. No member of an Indian tribe may transport into or through this state any game, or its carcass, from the Indian land of that Indian tribe in violation of the law of that Indian tribe.

29.047(1)(c) (c) No person in this state may transport, possess or control in this state any game, or its carcass, that was taken in another state in violation of any restriction on open and closed seasons established under this chapter or of any bag, possession or size limit established under this chapter unless all of the following apply:

29.047(1)(c)1. 1. The game was lawfully taken in and lawfully transported from the other state.

29.047(1)(c)2. 2. The person holds a license issued by the other state that authorized the person to transport, possess or control the game or its carcass.

29.047(1)(c)3. 3. If the game is a cervid the person transports, possesses, delivers, receives, or controls the carcass of the cervid in compliance with rules promulgated by the department.

29.047(1)(c)4. 4. If the game is a member of a species that the department requires a person holding an approval under this chapter to tag before transporting, the game bears a tag on which is printed, in a manner that cannot be modified or erased, the name of the department or, if the tag was issued by another state, the name of the other state’s agency that issued the tag. A tag issued under this subdivision by another state is not valid unless the other state, at the time of issuance, recorded the name and address of the person to whom the tag was issued.

29.047(1)(d) (d) No member of an Indian tribe may transport, possess, or control off of the Indian land of that Indian tribe any game, or its carcass, that was taken on that Indian land in violation of any restriction on open and closed seasons established under this chapter or of any bag, possession, or size limit established under this chapter unless all of the following apply:

29.047(1)(d)1. 1. The game was taken on and transported from the Indian land in accordance with the laws of the Indian tribe.

29.047(1)(d)1m. 1m. The member of the Indian tribe holds a license, permit, or other authorization issued by the member’s Indian tribe that allows the Indian tribe member to transport, possess, or control the game or its carcass on the Indian land of the member’s Indian tribe or holds a tribal membership card or other document that demonstrates proof of membership in that Indian tribe.

29.047(1)(d)2. 2. If the game is a member of a species that the department requires a person holding an approval under this chapter to tag before transporting, the game bears a tag on which is printed, in a manner that cannot be modified or erased, the name of the department or, if the tag was issued by an Indian tribe, the name of the Indian tribe. A tag issued under this paragraph by an Indian tribe is not valid unless the Indian tribe, at the time of issuance, recorded the name and address of the person to whom the tag was issued.

29.047(1k) (1k) 

29.047(1k)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person may remove a required tag attached under sub. (1) (c) 4. or (d) 2. from a carcass until the time of butchering, but the person who killed or obtained the game shall retain all required tags until the meat is consumed.

29.047(1k)(b) (b) No person may remove a required tag attached under sub. (1) (c) 4. or (d) 2. from the carcass of a fur-bearing animal until the carcass is prepared for preservation, mounting, or tanning.

29.047(1k)(c) (c) A person who retains a tag under par. (a) or (b) may give the carcass or any part of the carcass to another person. The person who receives the gift of the carcass or part of the carcass is not required to possess a tag.

29.047(1m) (1m) Unless prohibited by the laws of an adjoining state or a rule promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3) or (4), any person who has lawfully killed a cervid in this state may take the cervid or its carcass into the adjoining state and ship the cervid or carcass from any point in the adjoining state to any point in this state.

29.047(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:

29.047(2)(a) (a) A person who has a valid taxidermist permit and who, in compliance with rules promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3) or (4), possesses, transports, causes to be transported, delivers or receives, or offers to deliver or receive, a wild animal carcass in connection with his or her business.

29.047(2)(b) (b) The possession, transportation, delivery or receipt of farm-raised deer, farm-raised game birds, farm-raised fish, or wild animals that are subject to regulation under ch. 169.

29.047 History History: 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 269, 316; 1995 a. 79; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 95, 96, 518 to 521; Stats. 1997 s. 29.047; 2001 a. 56, 109; 2005 a. 286; 2013 a. 85.

29.053 29.053 Specific open and closed seasons.

29.053(1) (1) All fishing seasons on inland waters shall open on a Saturday.

29.053(2) (2) The department may exercise its authority under s. 29.014 with reference to the state as a whole, or for any specified county or part of a county, or for any lake or stream or part of a lake or stream.

29.053(2)(a) (a) The department may establish a fishing season on specified bodies of water in certain urban areas, as determined by rule by the department, that allows fishing only by persons who are under 16 years old or who are disabled and can produce the evidence specified in s. 29.193 (3) (a), (b) or (c), subject to all of the following conditions:

29.053(2)(a)1. 1. The department may not designate a body of water under this subsection that is 25 acres or greater in area.

29.053(2)(a)2. 2. The department may not designate a body of water under this subsection without the written agreement of each private owner of shoreline and of each city, village, town, county, federal agency or other state agency that owns shoreline.

29.053(2)(a)3. 3. The department shall post notice of the restricted fishing season at each designated body of water.

29.053(2)(b) (b) Section 227.16 (2) (e) does not apply to a rule promulgated under this subsection and, when the department proposes to add a body of water to or delete a body of water from a rule under this subsection, the department shall hold a hearing, as required under s. 227.16 (1), either in the county in which the body of water is located or within 50 miles of the body of water.

29.053(3) (3) The department may modify any requirement of this chapter or rules promulgated under it, establish special seasons, authorize the use of special equipment or take any other action in order to provide additional hunting and fishing opportunities for persons who are physically disabled or visually handicapped. The department may limit the number of persons involved, except that if the department establishes a special season for hunting deer with firearms and airguns for persons who are physically disabled, the season shall be open to persons who have been issued a Class D permit under s. 29.193 (2).

29.053 History History: 1997 a. 248 ss. 112, 384, 388 to 392; 1999 a. 32; 2011 a. 168; 2023 a. 115.

29.053 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. NR 10.01, 10.40, 19.01, and 20.33, Wis. adm. code.

29.055 29.055 Wild animals; possession in closed season or in excess of bag limit. Except as expressly provided in this chapter, no person may have in the person’s possession or under the person’s control, or have in storage, any wild animal or carcass that was taken during the closed season for that wild animal or that is in excess of the bag or possession limit or contrary to the size limits for that wild animal. The open and closed seasons and the bag, possession and size limits of the state, province or country in which a wild animal was taken shall apply to the wild animal or the carcass if it was lawfully killed outside of this state. 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.