MADISON, WI -- AB1030, a bill banning antlerless deer hunting in the Northern Forest Zone for four years (with the exception of youth hunts) was vetoed by the Governor. Also vetoed was SB139, which would have mandated the DNR to establish a population goal for wolves.
Sapik Statement:
“Our Northernmost politicians including Congress, State Senators, and Assembly Representatives spent a great deal of time holding whitetail listening sessions throughout the state, prioritizing the Northern Forest Zone. Each listening session garnered the attention of hundreds of hunters to not only show up but voice their opinions and spread the word that we have a serious problem with wolves and a dwindling whitetail deer herd. I assembled several bills to help the whitetail population and encountered some issues with lobby groups. Through this arduous process and working with Representative Chanz Green, we ended up getting two bills to the governor’s desk, including banning antlerless hunting for four years and Green’s bill which would require the Department of Natural Resources to establish a wolf population goal. The governor vetoed both bills, citing that he intends to keep that power within the Department of Natural Resources rather than through the legislature.
The DNR has intentionally not established a wolf population goal- this is a game of politics. If the DNR does not establish a wolf population goal, then any regulation on wolves is subjective and, in turn, can be thrown out to continue protecting the current exponential population growth because there are no hard parameters.
With continued predation on our whitetail deer herd from hunting in addition to these apex predators’ population growth, we are looking at an even more dire hunting season in the coming years. Although the numbers may not express it as strongly in Fall of 2024 due to our incredibly mild winter this year, we will see the statistics show that predation continues to harm our most gentle wildlife. Although I am not surprised by the governor’s lack of understanding of anything that happens outside the cities of Madison and Milwaukee, I am disheartened that he chose not to listen to the thousands of people who opined and showed up to these listening sessions to express their concerns.
I want you all to know that I appreciate the time and effort you put in expressing the severity of this situation to your local Northwoods politicians. I only wish our governor would take the time to do the same.”
Last Update: Apr 01, 2024 3:08 pm CDT
