Went tonight to this annual meeting. One held in each county. Many statewide and several regional issues were voted on.
Of most interest to me were:
1) Question to ban statewide baiting of deer.
2) Question to allow public use of all Managed Forest Lands in the state and not just those deemed “Open” today.
3) Extending the fall turkey season to Dec. 31 from the end of gun season?
4) Measure to only allow dogs while turkey hunting to those that scatter flocks and then the birds are called back to the hunter. This will eliminate fall hunting of turkeys by pheasant hunters that happen to flush a bird. Not a current WI law but one being considered.
5) Transfer of EAB stickers to youth 12-15 years old.
I was most interested in the statewide ban on baiting and also the question on the managed forest lands as I currently hunt such land today in Buffalo county. There was not much discussion on the baiting as the moderator determined that most people had already heard about the issue and most had already made up their mind. I talked to a few guys afterwards and it seemed to be split 50-50.
On the M forest lands, the majority in the room was against the measure as it would dramatically deter landowners from signing up for the program, even though some paper companies today are getting away tying up too much land up north. Most land in this program today is made up of tracts of 160 acres or less by individual land owners, and not corporations.
Any one else attend one? Opinions?
ET 