This is Moosetrot J. McCrotchrott-Scourge of the North! I live in Onalaska, just north of LaCrosse. I am adyed in the woll duck and goose hunter, but after things freeze up is start chasing predators.
One thing that the Wisconsin folks should know about is something called AB 374. For many years a lot of folks have not known that the use of artificial light at the point of kill while hunting coyotes is illegal. It happened when they closed the coyote season in the north to protect wolves in 1980. It's pretty much a glitch in the law, but I've been making a push to get it corrected. I started at Dwayne Johnsrud's office.
AB 374 is currently in the Assembly, has passed the Committee on Natural Resources, and has been referred to the Committee on Rules. Law Enforcement (wardens) have asked for the change to occur and support it.
I introduced it in La Crossee County at the Spring Conservation Congress meetings to add some fuel to the fire. It passed here, and passed at the state convention. It was referred to the LAw Enforcement Committee of the Conservation Congress, and they were to discuss it last Friday. I don't know of the results but I'm optimistic that they will support it.
If you folks have a chance, take a look at AB374 on the Legislative site. Even better, if you could contact your representatives and ask them to support it based upon the safety issues, and potential for misidentification of the target while hunting at night (given the influx of wolves) it would certainly help!!
Well, gotta go! Please help support AB374 as it would clear up a lot of the confusion concerning the issue!
Moostrot