Legislative hearing

[Fish]

It's with sincere thanks to Rep. Ann Hraychuck and Jim Holperin that
Hunters statewide will get a chance to speak their minds on deer hunting
issues in WI.

Representative Ann Hraychuck
6 North 409 South
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53703
(608)267-2365

and

Senator Jim Holperin
PO Box 7882
Madison, WI 53703
(608)266-2509

Informational hearings

2008 Deer Season and Herd Management Techniques

Friday, March 6, 2009

MADISON-Representative Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake) and Senator Jim
Holperin (D-Eagle River) announced plans today to hold informational
hearings about the 2008 deer season and herd management techniques in
Spooner and Rhinelander on March 30th, as well as a joint
Senate-Assembly Committee hearing in Madison on April 15th.

Rep. Hraychuck serves as chair of the Assembly's Fish and Wildlife
Committee, and Sen. Holperin is chair of the Senate Natural Resources
Committee. Both recognize the many questions and concerns of Wisconsin
hunters about the 2008 deer season and the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) population management tools for the deer herd.

"Everyone knows there's a lot of upset deer hunters out there following
a very disappointing and unproductive season for many," Holperin said.
"The legislature should certainly not start running
our deer seasons…nobody wants that…but there are many deer-related
policies that are legislatively based and so we need to listen to
hunters, hear them out, and react so that there is a
greater level of satisfaction with deer management policy in this state."

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide oral
testimony or written comments. Those who are inclined to testify are
asked to limit comments to 3 minutes. In addition to the
hearings being held by Rep. Hraychuck and Sen. Holperin, the DNR is also
holding Deer Management Unit (DMU) hearings across the state throughout
the month of March. "An important part of the deer management equation
is the annual DMU hearings that are being held in 40 locations," said
Hraychuck. "Traditionally there has been low attendance at these
hearings. It has never been more important for citizens to voice their
concerns about Wisconsin's
deer population management. Senator Holperin and I urge hunters to
attend the meetings held locally, and if they can, make the trip to one
of the three legislative hearings," Hraychuck continued.

DNR staff will be in attendance at each legislative hearing and DMU
hearing to answer questions and explain in greater detail their current
techniques for calculating the deer population and mechanisms to manage
the herd.

Visit the DNR website for more detailed information and a full list of
DMU hearings,

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/hearmeet.html#deer

or call (800) 936-7463.

WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE
Hearing dates and times:
Rhinelander
Monday, March 30
6:30-9:30 pm
James Williams Middle School
915 Acacia Lane

Spooner
Spooner Elementary School
500 College Street

Madison
Wednesday, April 15
10:00 am
State Capitol, 411 South

You can read the official press release at:

http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Mar09/mar6/0306holperindeerseason.pdf

[Fish]

I would very much encourage each and every one of you to try to attend these meeting.  Both Ann and Jim have stuck their necks out for the WI hunters to allow us to voice our opinions.  I would also ask that you make a simple phone call to these two and thank them for the opportunity.
 
We all sit on here and belly ache about hunting and what's wrong with the current structure of our deer management.  Well, it's put up or shut up time.  Don't "talk the talk" if you can't "walk the walk".  lol
 
So I would expect everyone to plan on attending, regardless of your position.