MADISON - - A hunting season for wild elk is in Wisconsin's future if DNR rules that set the season dates and other regulations pass review by Assembly Natural Resources Committee at its August 6 hearing. Observers say approval will be a cinch because the committee's chairman, DuWayne Johnsrud, R-Eastman, was the author of legislation that established an elk hunting permit system and cleared the way for the DNR's regulations.
"Wisconsin's first season is just a few years away," said State Representative DuWayne Johnsrud. "With the law in place and now the DNR's rules, we can issue permits and give a few lucky hunters the chance of a lifetime as soon as there are surplus animals in the herd. It's really something fun to look forward to at a time when Wisconsin big-game management has otherwise been so controversial."
An experimental herd of 25 Elk was reintroduced to the Clam Lake area of Wisconsin in 1995. The DNR reports that the herd now numbers more than 110 animals. Limited hunting of bull elk might be allowed when the population reaches 200, which could happen as early as 2006.
"The number of animals that hunters could kill will be very limited at first," Johnsrud said. "There probably wouldn't be more than five tags issued but, wow, what an opportunity for the people who are lucky enough to win a permit!"
Opening day for the nine-day elk hunting season would be the second Thursday in December for rifle, muzzleloader and archery hunters. Later, once the population reaches 600 or more animals, there will be an additional seven-day early season beginning on the second Thursday after labor day,
giving lucky permit winners 16 total days to hunt.
The August 6 hearing begins at 10 a.m. in room 300 Northeast of the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend and register or speak for or against any items on the docket.
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Scott Loomans
Office of Representative Johnsrud
(608) 266-3534 or toll free 888-534-0096
For news and information about the 96th Assembly
District and Natural Resources Committee, go to:
www.repjohnsrud.com
