Ross Bielema, Leader Correspondent
John Hoeffs
Nearly 80 sportsmen and outdoors enthusiasts from the Shawano area proved their passion for fish and wildlife Monday night by voting on 114 issues that could ultimately affect hunting, fishing and trapping regulations.
At the same time, sportsmen in 71 other counties did the same thing in their home counties during the annual joint Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spring hearings and Wisconsin Conservation Congress meetings.
There were a few hot-button topics that drew some spirited discussion at Shawano Community Middle School, but for the most part, the ballot questions were only briefly explained or in some cases (mostly with fishing regulations proposals that applied only to other counties and specific lakes or streams), skipped over entirely.
Everyone in attendance was allowed to vote on three separate ballots: one for proposed wildlife and fisheries rule changes and Natural Resources Board advisory questions; one for Conservation Congress advisory questions; and one for citizen-introduced resolutions.
Each of the 77 people present at the school used the paper ballots to mark their yes-or-no choices as Wisconsin DNR game warden Mark Schraufnagel moderated the event.
Among the topics most discussed or affecting the most sportsmen were:
• Changes on panfish bag limits that would affect 100 lakes statewide and continue until 2026. Although some anglers spoke in favor of these reduced bag limits, with the goal to produce bigger bluegills, crappies and other panfish, a few others noted that the somewhat complex regulations would create much confusion when fishing with young children or grandchildren. The proposal would allow a total of 25 panfish a day (the same as the current law), but no more than 10 of any one species. During the May and June spawning season, only 15 panfish could be kept per day, including no more than five of any one species. In some cases, the limit would be 15, including no more than five of any one species year round.
Shawano County’s White Clay Lake would use the 25/10 regulation if this plan is approved. DNR Fisheries Technician Elliot Hoffman noted that 25 6-inch panfish and six 8-inch panfish yield the same one pound of fillets. Similar changes tried elsewhere in Wisconsin and Minnesota resulted in an overall 1-inch increase in the average size of bluegills.
• Revising trout fishing regulations for the state’s 13,000 miles of trout streams, which have not been changed since 2003. A package of rule changes would “simplify regulations” and expand fishing options, according to the DNR. The changes were based on suggestions from trout anglers gathered at 41 meetings over the past few years. Among the changes would be a trout fishing opener of the first Sunday in March, rather than the first Saturday in May.
• Allowing the current 25-panfish limit to remain on the Cloverleaf Chain of Lakes (Round, Grass and Pine lakes) in Shawano County, but implementing a limit of five sunfish (bluegills and pumpkinseeds) over 7 inches long.
• Banning the feeding and baiting of deer statewide from Sept. 1 through the last day of any deer season.
• Supporting DNR implementation of antler point restrictions if County Deer Advisory Council members recommended it. Conservation Congress delegate Kevin Marquette has previously opposed such a plan, which could also make it difficult for young hunters to shoot their first buck.
• Increasing the small game possession limit from two times the daily bag limit to three times the daily limit. Two years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did the same thing for migratory birds, and Wisconsin adopted that same rule for ducks and geese. This would make the possession limits of rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, quail, partridge and grouse all three times the daily limit.
• Trapping issues that included elimination of the daily 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. closed period (making it difficult for those with other jobs and commitments to participate), raising the breakaway rating on cable restraints from the current 285 pounds to 350 pounds (which allows deer to escape) and allow spring-activated foot cable restraints beginning Dec. 1 each season.
• Eliminate the requirement that waterfowl hunters and blinds be concealed if they are within 3 feet of shore.
• A three-year trial period that would allow tree stands and ground blinds to be left unattended on public lands north of state Highway 64, from two days before the gun deer season until the end of the muzzleloader-only season. This would eliminate having to tear down and set up stands and blinds each day. Reduced competition for choice hunting spots in many areas is one reason for the suggestion. Studies have shown that most tree stand falls occur when hunters are setting up or taking down stands, so the proposal could also reduce injuries.
• Setting uniform opening days for spring turkey season and allowing the fall turkey season to remain open during the firearms deer season.
Brian Heinz, one of five Shawano County delegates on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, said the Shawano County Deer Advisory Committee has recommended maintaining the current deer population for the coming seasons.
The 15,350 antlerless permits designated for the county would be split in a 94-6 percent private-public lands split. Wednesday is the last day available for an online deer survey at the DNR website.
Heinz was re-elected to a three-year term for Conservation Congress and Chairman John Hoeffs was re-elected to a two-year term. Both were unopposed. The other Shawano County delegates not up for election now are Vice Chairman Tony Janecek, and members Bob Bohardt and Marquette.
Hoeffs, 68, of Shawano, was recently honored for more than 30 years of service on Conservation Congress, a grassroots advisory organization that helps shape Wisconsin fish and wildlife management. It is the only such grassroots organization in the nation.
Hoeffs read two local resolutions for votes. One would restore the Natural Resources Board as a regulatory authority, rather than making it an advisory board to the DNR secretary as proposed in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget. Several spoke that changing this 80-year-old policy would reduce citizen oversight of the DNR.
The other proposal was to establish a hook-and-line sturgeon season on the Wolf River, with 25 sturgeon tags a year and a 50-inch size minimum. Some noted that hook-and-line sturgeon fishing is available elsewhere in the state.
The local and statewide vote tallies were not available late Tuesday.