crossbow

Wisconsin Electronic Deer Registration

September 2, 2014 by Charlie 3 Comments

During Wisconsin’s 2014 deer seasons some hunters have been selected to test the new electronic deer registration system. These hunters can voluntarily use the pilot program to register their deer via internet or phone call in. They also have the option to continue in person registration.

Selected hunters may receive a survey about the electronic registration experience. The DNR will use the survey results along with the data from the 2014 registrations to fine tune the system so that it will be ready for all hunters starting in 2015.

Charlie elk is proud to have been selected for this test and looks forward to registering all his 2014 deer using the electronic registration. In person deer registration has always been extremely inconvenient; time/gas consuming and in some warm weather late night recovery situations just plain hard work. There are no direct roads to the registration stations where charlie hunts.

How did charlie get selected?

Not sure. charlie does kill more deer than the average hunter each fall. However charlie has no inside knowledge whether or not that was a factor. charlie never wins any drawing. Even if his name were to be placed in a hat 99 times with only 1 other entrant, that other would be drawn first. This was proven years ago at a MNDNR Advanced Hunter Rendezvous when 100 instructors names were drawn to determine the order of selecting from 100 paintings donated as instructor rewards. Guess what. charlie was picked number 100. They are all nice paintings and charlie’s hangs in a place of prominence just so charlie is always reminded he must work for everything he gets.

Perhaps a new day is starting with charlie’s luck and that world record big bugger better look out.

May your season provide a mindful of great hunting memories and check back for updates on e-registration.

Crossbows Are Legal in Wisconsin 2014

December 13, 2013 by Charlie 1 Comment

A hunter’s crossbow. Will it be legal for all hunters in 2014.

Update March 9, 2014 Wisconsin Cancels Disabled Hunter Permits

Starting the 2014 hunting season all Wisconsin hunters will be able to use a crossbow no matter their age or physical condition.

On December 10, 2013 Governor Walker signed AB194 now referred to as Act 61 into Wisconsin law. The State Senate approved AB 194 in September with an amendment and the Assembly passed it twice unanimously. These days it is very rare for our political leaders to agree on anything which indicates there is a lot of grassroots support for the legalization of crossbows in Wisconsin.

Starting in September 2014 bowhunters will have another option. The crossbow season will run concurrent with the traditional archery season. A separate license is required for each season. The cost of the crossbow license is $3 if purchased with an archer’s license, – $24.00 making the total license fee $27.00. This allows a bowhunter to use either crossbow or other archery equipment. Hunter’s choice.

If a hunter wants just an archer’s license or crossbow license the cost of each equal at $24.00. This hunter would then be limited to using only a crossbow or other bows such as compounds, recurve or longbow. etc.

This change has been a long time coming. Finally a new, different and challenging way to hunt is available to all Wisconsin hunters of all ages and abilities. Although, keep in mind the crossbow itself is not a new hunting tool. Its use dates back to 400 BC. The hunting crossbow predates compound bows by quite a few years. So here is your chance to try out a piece of ancient history. Enjoy and good hunting.

Wisconsin Senate Passes Crossbow Bill

September 18, 2013 by Charlie 6 Comments

The bowhunter’s crossbow

Read Update Crossbows are now legal in WI

On Tuesday September 17, 2013 the Wisconsin State Senate passed

SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 194 ssa1_ab194

authorizing a crossbow season in Wisconsin. All Senators with the exception of Senator Mark Miller voted for passage. This revised bill is the same as the original Assembly which was passed earlier this year with the Senate’s additional amendment 1 giving the DNR authority to change the crossbow season after 2 years.

Many think this is the backdoor for Wisconsin Bowhunters to later gain restrictions on crossbow hunters after the attention dies down. The Wisconsin Bowhunters have made no secret of their dislike for crossbows especially if these crossbow hunters are allowed to hunt during the rut. Apparently after years of having the rut period to themselves many “bowhunters” feel entitled. Originally they had proposed accepting crossbow legalization only if the crossbow season were to close mid-October and not reopen until December. Crossbow advocates may have made a mistake accepting this compromise, Wisconsin Bowhunters are well connected inside the WDNR giving them ability to influence regulations.

Hopefully, in 2 years all of the crossbow opposition’s fears will be laid to rest as they discover the crossbow is just a bow that casts an arrow just like any other bow.

Nonhunters I have spoken with wonder why all the hoopla and controversy on this issue. They sum the situation with something like this-

“The deer ends up dead. Why does it matter how?”

Good question.

Wisconsin State Senate Schedules Crossbow Hearing

August 12, 2013 by Charlie 4 Comments

Update 12/17/13 Crossbows Now Legal in Wisconsin

Just when you think hope of change is slim, in this case crossbows legal for all hunters in Wisconsin– I wrote about the slim hope the other day Will Wisconsin let everyone use a crossbow in 2013?

A pleasant surprise. Here is the press release from Rep. Mary Czaja (R) and Rep Chris Danou (D)

Madison – Statement from Rep. Mary Czaja (R-Irma) and Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau) on progress of Assembly Bill 194 in state Senate:

“We are encouraged by the progress of AB 194 and we thank Senator Neal Kedzie, Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee for scheduling a public hearing this week. There has been a great deal of discussion between legislators of both parties, sporting groups, and hunting enthusiasts and it is encouraging to see this legislation move forward.

“Expanding crossbow use in Wisconsin will bring increased economic activity, in the manufacturing and retail sector. It will also provide additional hunting opportunities for all Wisconsinites, particularly women and young people who may not possess the physical strength to use a traditional bow. We thank our colleagues in the Assembly for their unanimous support of AB 194 in June. We look forward to the Senate considering the merits of this legislation.”

A hunter’s crossbow. Will it be legal for all hunters in 2013 or 2014?

Assembly Bill 194 establishes a separate season and license for crossbow use in
Wisconsin, with the season to run concurrent to the traditional archery season. AB 194 was passed by the State Assembly with a vote of 95-0 on June 6th, 2013.

The slim chance Wisconsin could have crossbows legal in Wisconsin for the 2013 season is getting fatter. Stay tune for updates as they happen.

UPDATE: 08/13/13 Public Hearing Rescheduled for August 21.

While on WPR: Mike Brust, President of the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association said:

the concern is that an influx of crossbow hunters could result in fewer hunting opportunities for traditional bowhunters. WBA supports a new crossbow season — as long as it’s separate from the traditional bow season.

The Natural Resources Committee will hold a public hearing:

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 10:00 AM

300 Southeast State Capitol Madison, WI

Update 8/20/13: The slim hope of a 2013 crossbow season in Wisconsin has been squashed according to Senator Farrow in his crossbow legislation reaches compromise press release. Those hunters who do not possess a disability permit will have to wait until 2014.

Madison – After weeks of discussion and amendment drafts, the Wisconsin State Senate is prepared to move Assembly Bill 194, also known as the Crossbow Hunting Bill, through the legislative process. The bill, offered by Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) and Representative Mary Czaja (R-Irma), was passed by a vote of 95-0 in the State Assembly on June 6th and has been the topic of extensive discussion in the State Senate.

The bill creates a new crossbow hunting season that would run concurrently with the archery deer hunting season. It will also provide for a new era of sporting heritage in Wisconsin by gaining the interest of women, children, the elderly and disabled to Wisconsin’s long hunting traditions. The compromise allows for the DNR to create the new season in 2014 and allow enough time to evaluate the impact of the new season on the deer herd.

“Although members of the State Senate will ultimately make some changes to this legislation, it is the hard work and dedication of Representative Mary Czaja that truly held this legislation together,” stated Farrow. “With the amount of support this legislation received in the Assembly, Representative Czaja could have held firm and declined Senate amendments. Yet, because of her leadership and her commitment to our sportsmen and women, she helped create a workable and acceptable amendment.”

Will Wisconsin let everyone use a crossbow in 2013?

August 8, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

Update March 10, 2014 Wisconsin Cancels Disabled Hunter Permits

Update 12/17/2013 Crossbows Now Legal In Wisconsin

After investigating many possible scenarios there appears to be a chance although a slim one that Wisconsin’s bowhunters will be allowed to use crossbows in the 2013 archery season. Well, technically during the soon to be established concurrent crossbow season, an important distinction to some.

A hunter’s crossbow. Will it be legal for all hunters in 2013 or 2014?

When the Wisconsin Assembly unanimously passed AB 194 many hunters were optimistic they would have the long denied opportunity to hunt deer with a crossbow in Wisconsin. In this age of extreme political partisanship where nothing gets a unanimous vote it sure seemed a slam dunk the WI Senate would quickly follow suit. Unfortunately that was not the case, SB 185 is stuck in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Senator Neal Kedzie is the chair and there are rumors he is not enthusiastic about legalizing crossbows. I have heard these from other Senator’s staff. This may be more finger pointing by others rather than being based in any fact. You can judge for yourself; Here is my email to Senator Kedzie and his response-

charlie wrote:

Honorable Senator Kedzie,

Many deer hunters were looking forward to hunting with crossbows during this fall’s archery season especially after the Assembly passed this bill unanimously. However it now appears SB185 is stuck in the Natural Resource committee with no action scheduled. Is this correct? Are there plans to get this to the floor of the Senate anytime soon?

Because of the current special crossbow permitting process many once proud bowhunters who became impaired are considered second class hunters due to their special treatment. Legalizing crossbows for everyone would do a lot to take away the current stigma associated with a hunter who uses a crossbow. Please do what you can to get SB 185 up for a vote an on to the Governor.

Thank you.

Senator Kedzie responded:

Thank you for contacting the office of Senator Neal Kedzie regarding legislation relating to the use of crossbows for hunting.

As you know, an amended version of the bill recently passed the State Assembly; the Assembly version is now different than the Senate version, SB 185. The Assembly bill was referred to the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Friday, June 14^th. At this time, no hearings have been scheduled, as the full Senate has adjourned and will not meet in regular session until September 17^th, at the earliest. Thus, no other legislation will be taken up by the Senate prior to mid-September, and scheduling a hearing for the bill at this time would be somewhat moot, as the work of the committee is only one step of the Senate approval process.

Still, we appreciate reading your comments in support of the legislation.

Office of Senator Neal Kedzie

OK, I said the chance of legalizing crossbows in Wisconsin for the 2013 season was slim at best. The state senate is not back in session until September 17th three days after the opening of archery season. If the Senate Natural Resources Committee schedules the public hearing, votes SB 185 out committee, Senate Majority Leader Senator Fitzgerald schedules a full senate vote, SB 185 were to pass and then get the Governor’s signature; by mid October or so. WDNR already has the license issuing program written, tested and ready to go. It would then be possible to have a crossbow license available by third week of October just in time for hunting the rut and the rest of the archery season.

More likely, SB 185 will be passed early in 2014 and hopefully effective for the 2014 deer season. No matter what the people want politics move slowly and unfortunately, particularly on the Senate side of the equation politicians listen more to the special interests than voters.

Update: Hearing scheduled for more Wisconsin State Senate Schedules Crossbow Hearing

Crossbow Bill AB 194 Wisconsin Assembly Passes

June 7, 2013 by Charlie 8 Comments

Update 12/17/2013 Crossbows Now Legal in Wisconsin 2014

Wisconsin Crossbow bill AB 194 passes the Assembly and moves on to the Senate

On Thursday June 6, the Wisconsin Assembly passed AB 194, to create Crossbow Hunting Licenses –

From the Assembly official site

AB 194
BY CZAJA
CREATE CROSSBOW HUNTING LICENSES
PASSAGE

AYES – 95 NAYS – 0 NOT VOTING – 4 PAIRED – 0

Wow, I did not expect a unanimous vote. Is this what happens when special interest groups stand down? The Wisconsin Bowhunters who were the opposition lobbyists and the NRA who are the proponents of hunter freedom and choice agreed to not lobby for or against crossbill bill 194, the Senate’s version or the Governor’s signature. So the legislators were left to hear from their constituents without any group lobbying. This demonstrates that there is widespread support for crossbow hunting that cuts across party lines all across the state of Wisconsin. It will be interesting to see the how the Senate vote goes.

The bowhunter’s crossbow

Assuming this crossbow bill AB 194 becomes law in Wisconsin bow hunters will have a chance to try a crossbow while deer hunting for their first time. They’ll find there is a “crossbow” learning curve. Hunting with a crossbow is the same yet different than a regular bow. Many bow hunters have heard the stories and claims made about crossbows being so much easier than current legal archery, it will be interesting to talk with those first time hunters about their perceptions verses actual experience. I for one can’t wait.

Wisconsin Crossbow Bill as Amended – May 29, 2013

June 6, 2013 by Charlie Leave a Comment

The bowhunter’s crossbow

Update 12/17/2013 Crossbows are now Legal in Wisconsin 2014

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 194

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues hunting licenses and establishes open hunting seasons that allow the hunting of specified game animals. Among the licenses that DNR issues are resident and nonresident archer hunting licenses. An archer hunting license allows the holder to hunt all game, except bear, elk, wolf, and wild turkey, with a bow and arrow during the relevant open season established by DNR. An archer hunting license allows a person to hunt only with a bow and arrow and not with a crossbow unless the person is disabled and holds a permit from DNR that authorizes the use of a crossbow or unless the person is at least 65 years old. This substitute amendment eliminates the age and disability requirements for using a crossbow. Instead, the substitute amendment establishes a new resident crossbow hunting license and a new nonresident crossbow hunting license.

The crossbow hunting licenses established in this substitute amendment allow a license holder to use a crossbow to hunt the same game animals that may be hunted under current law with an archer hunting license. The substitute amendment also allows the holder of an archer hunting license to obtain a crossbow hunting license at a substantially reduced fee and allows the holder of a crossbow hunting license to obtain an archer hunting license at a substantially reduced fee. As with other hunting licenses under current law, a person may not obtain a crossbow hunting license unless the person completes a course of instruction in hunter education or bow hunter education.

Current law provides that if DNR establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear with a bow and arrow but not with a firearm, DNR may not open that season for hunting with a crossbow unless the hunter is at least 65 years old or is disabled and holds a permit from DNR. This substitute amendment provides that if DNR establishes an open season for hunting any of those animals with a bow and arrow but not with a firearm, DNR must also establish a concurrent open season that allows a person to hunt the respective animal with a crossbow regardless of the age of the hunter or whether the hunter has a disability.

The substitute amendment also provides that if DNR requires a person who kills an animal to register the animal with DNR, then DNR must make a record of the type of weapon that was used to kill the animal.