From J.K., Wisconsin
I've lived and hunted in MO and NC (had/has the no-hunt Sundays). Now I live and hunt in WI. I wanted to comment on some of the emails:
1) Shotgun & Pistol Only; It seems like this regulation is more for the public's peace of mind than for safety reasons. I attended the WI DNR Spring Hearings on hunting and fishing regulations. I pointed out that the shotgun and pistol only regs are outdated considering the use of rifled barrel shotguns shooting sabots that extend the killing range to several hundred yards and the use of high-powered single shot pistols that propel the bullets only slightly slower than a rifle. But hunters there were still of the mentality that shotguns and pistols were short range weapons. When the regs were first proposed the (smoothbore) shotguns shot Foster type slugs and the biggest handgun (most) people hunted with was the .44 mag. Yes, short range guns but technology has advanced and hunters need to be aware of a gun's potential. Most of the accidental shootings this year in WI were from hunters using shotguns shooting sabots and hitting someone beyond the target. It would also help if hunters could hit a running deer, not an easy task. Hunters should go to the skeet range before the deer season to remind themselves to lead the target and follow through. A thorough knowledge of the lead required for different distances would also be helpful.
2) Backtags; Yes as a WI hunter back tags are a pain especially when you have to put on or take off extra layers through out the day but I'm for them. It does help you tell who the trespasser is and/or if they are just a full blown poacher. BTW; it was a backtag that helped bring to justice the murderer of the hunters killed in WI a few years back. One of the victims wrote the backtag ID number in the dust on the ATV. Without that officials may not have ever brought him to justice.
3) Sticker Shock; this was around when I hunted turkey in MO. I thought it was silly and unnecessary but complied. This last year a father killed his 8 yr old son when he mistook him for a turkey. Granted the father left the child to go get closer to a turkey. A major "no no" when in the woods with a young child. He had also been drinking, was high on pot and didn't even have a turkey permit. Sometimes you just can't fix stupid. I don't think they even took away his hunting privileges, which they should have done. Until stupid people stop being idiots we will have to deal with the stickers.
4) Eat Up! Having to eat all your game before the next season starts is ridiculous. What happens if you don't plan on going hunting or don't get any game the next year? Apparently you don't get to eat any of some of the most nutritious meat for another year. I try to pace myself when it comes to eating the venison I harvest so I would have some in case I don't get lucky and harvest another deer. I should check the regs in my state. As far as I know WI doesn't have that reg., but don't take my word for it. I still have all my deer tags for the meat.
5) Waiting period; I'm for having a waiting period after the season starts but the regs have to be better worded. Growing up I heard of too many people trying to check in a cold deer with a hot tag. A little foresight and planning will get you into the woods on schedule.
6) Shell Game; I understand the DNR's desire to get hunters to take only high-percentage shots and for the hunters to become better shots before heading into the field to hunt. But from experience I know hitting a moving target can be tough.
I used to consider hitting 16 out of 25 at a sporting clays range a really good day. But regulating the number of shells you can have with you is wrong. I use different shells for different circumstances and you can't predict the conditions of a hunt.
7) No-Hunt Sundays; It really disliked it when I found out that I couldn't hunt on sundays when I moved to NC. I was told it was because horse riders were afraid of getting shot by deer hunters and had petitioned the gov for the regulation.
For a lot of people Sunday is the only day they can hunt. Enough said.8) Whitetails per square mile; I know this isn't a previous topic but the article in the March American Hunter on pg 20, "Mapping The Need For Hunting" shows a map where the estimated numbers of whitetails goes from greater than 45 per sq. mile to less than 15 psm when you cross the state border between WI and IL. What's up? A lot of the WI hunters are saying that the DNR greatly over estimated the deer population. Just an interesting observation. We have to rely on scientific data in order to establish useful hunting seasons and limits. We just have to hope and make sure that the data is correct and not politically motivated.
