Wisconsin's Spring Conservation Hearings on the second Monday in April (April 8) at 7 p.m. are a long standing tradition – and an opportunity! These joint meetings are held in each county of the state on the same day and time each year. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) solicit input from citizens in attendance.
The best way to prepare is to obtain a copy of the meeting questionnaire from your nearest WDNR office or online at https://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/springhearing.html. There you will find your county's meeting location. Take some time to read through the booklet in advance and jot down notes or questions that come to mind. Note that this year, for the first time, you will be able to fill out a ballot even if you cannot attend the meeting in person. Generally these hearings are well-attended by people who are hunters, fishers and even trappers, but all Wisconsin residents are welcome. Sierra Club members should take advantage of this opportunity to learn about wildlife issues, express their opinions, and listen to what others have to say.
What to expect and how you may influence outcomes at the meeting
The WCC represents citizens in advising the WDNR on natural resource concerns. When you sign in at the door, you will receive a pencil to mark the ballot and a small ballot slips for electing county delegates to two- and three-year terms on the WCC. Use this ballot to vote on WDNR Wildlife & Fisheries-proposed rule changes, any Natural Resources Board (NRB) advisory questions and WCC advisory questions. Page 2 of the ballot is used to vote on citizen resolutions introduced on the floor during the meeting. These often cover important issues and you may wish to submit a resolution for consideration. If so, be prepared to persuade other attendees to support your resolution!
The agenda is printed at the beginning of the booklet for the meeting. Generally:
1. A WDNR representative presents proposed changes to fish and wildlife regulations. Many of these are local issues and may not interest you. It's fine to leave questions blank on your ballot. For questions that do interest you, you will want to give consideration to the background and rationale included by the WDNR. Listen to others' questions and comments, and don't hesitate to ask questions of WDNR staff.
2. After that, attendees nominate and elect county delegates to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. There may not be much competition for some of these positions, but you can encourage the leader to ask candidates to describe why they're interested in serving. And remember that you can run for a delegate position yourself!
3. Proposals to measure and influence public opinion can be presented as citizen resolutions, which should be ready to hand in at the check-in table before the meeting. A description of the process, resolution requirements, and a sample resolution in the questionnaire can be found at the web page mentioned above. Sometimes, Sierra Club or other organizations will ask our members across the state to present a resolution, so contact the John Muir Chapter office (608-256-0565) well in advance if you are willing to present a resolution in your county. Prepare yourself to describe why the resolution deserves a favorable vote from attendees at the hearing. If you take advantage of this opportunity, consider the audience and appeal to shared conservation values such as clean air; clean water; and diverse, healthy ecosystems.
4. Finally, WCC questions, developed from past citizen resolutions and refined by statewide delegates and committees, are presented for your vote. There may also be questions from the Natural Resources Board which oversees WDNR. Again, skip any that don't interest you. Ask relevant questions before voting.
If you cannot attend the hearing, you can vote online at https://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/. The results are typically processed quickly and widely covered by Wisconsin news media, and this is one reason they are important.
Sierra Club Voter Guide
2. Do you support the placement of traps, snares, colony traps or cable restraints at any time on or within 15 feet of any beaver dam found on public and private land, with written permission from the landowner? No. This would expand use of the types of traps Sierra Club already opposes.
3. Do you support switching to a bag limit/quota system for river otter? No. This does not accurately track harvest numbers.
7. Do you favor simplifying weapon regulations by eliminating minimum caliber requirements for pellet guns for hunting hare, rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, fox, coyote, bobcat or unprotected wild animals? No. This would allow for unforeseen and potentially inhumane small calibers to be used.
50. Do you favor the Conservation Congress working with the Natural Resources Board and the state Legislature to increase the distance from agricultural fields to streams and rivers to 30 feet, and encourage vegetation? Yes. The current five-foot stream buffer requirement is insufficient to prevent runoff.
52. Do you favor conducting a pilot CWD Payment for Positives program to test if CWD testing rates and removal of CWD-positive deer can be increased from infected areas? Yes. The spread of CWD should be stopped and we support this proposal.
56. To protect the health of our wild deer population, would you support a statewide ban on baiting and feeding of deer? Yes. The current allowance of baiting and feeding ignores scientific evidence of the harm it is likely to cause to the deer population.
70. Would you support the Conservation Congress working with the Natural Resources Board, state legislature and the people of the state to provide adequate budgetary finances to maintain, manage and develop public lands to their full potential for the benefit of the residents of Wisconsin? Yes. For the reasons stated in the second paragraph introducing the question.
76. Would you favor making it illegal for a person younger than 10 years old to obtain a hunting license? Yes. This is a public safety matter.
77. Would you favor returning state statute to require only one firearm between a mentor and the mentee? Yes. This is a public safety matter.
85. Do you support the Conservation Congress working with the DNR, Natural Resources Board and state legislature to implement a ban on lead ammunition? This would exclude ammunition used in target shooting and could be phased in over time. Yes. For the reasons stated in the questionnaire and to prevent lead poisoning in humans who consume wild game.
86. Do you support the Conservation Congress working with the DNR, Natural Resources Board and state legislature to implement a ban on lead fishing sinkers, lures and tackle weighing 1 ounce or less? This could be phased in over time. Yes. For the reasons stated in the questionnaire.
By Jim Kerler, State Parks Committee Member and Bill Davis, Chapter Director
Thumbnail photo: Man lands a trout at Dave's Falls on the Pike River, 1993. Courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.