tracking at night

[vipermann7]

I've read the Wisconsin regulations a few times, and I may have missed this regulation, but all the same, I'm not sure what the rule is.

Does anyone know, in wisconsin, is it technically illegal to be tracking a deer at night with a light while carrying your weapon with you? This doesn't typically happen to me in gun season, but I've done a lot of tracking at night during bow season. By regulation, am I supposed to leave my bow behind? What do you then about finding a wounded animal? The regulations can be found on the wisconsin DNR website. I'm gonna feel pretty dumb if it is written out in black and white and i just missed it, but at this point, I haven't found that issue specifically addressed.

[DeerCamp]

I would contact the DNR in your area and ask them about it. That way you dont go out there and say run into one and then you have a problem

[hunter480]

In Indiana the law is spelled out pretty clearly...no loaded weapons in the field outside of legal shooting hours, period. This includes tracking an animal after dark.

[vipermann7]

from my understanding, thats how wisconsin is too, no loaded weapons outside of hunting hours. which i understand, you have to make the law black and white, you cant say "no weapons after hours unless youre tracking a wounded animal" because then people would just hunt all the time and claim they were tracking something. i give game time to die, so most of the time i dont come up on wounded animals. but the couple of times i have come up on wounded game and it was after hours, i have not hesitated to take the appropriate measures to finish the animal off.

[EatDeer]

Thats a great question, Personally I think if your tracking a wounded animal, you should have the right to defend yourself no matter the time of day or night. I know it's illegal to carry a weapon at night while tracking wounded deer in IL, but would love to see that rule changed. Calling hunters "poachers" because they are finishing off wounded deer shot during legal hunting hours doesnt cut it with me.

[msbadger]

Question....Don't hunting seasons overlap? ...Don't ppl hunt yotes and raccoons at night? ......how does that come into play?....I'd darn well be carring my gutting knife for a throat slit if possible......

[JOEL]

here is a copy of the letter i just sent to  the NY DEC.When i get  areply i will post it.thanks for the great question idea." I was wondering what the rules are for tracking a wounded game animal after dark.say i shoot a deer at last light and it gets dark do i have to secure my bow and rifle before trying to retrive my game?what about using lights for tracking the game in the dark?what if after tracking the animal its still alive can you deliver a fatal shot after dark or wait till morning?"

[hunter480]

ORIGINAL: EatDeer

Thats a great question, Personally I think if your tracking a wounded animal, you should have the right to defend yourself no matter the time of day or night. I know it's illegal to carry a weapon at night while tracking wounded deer in IL, but would love to see that rule changed. Calling hunters "poachers" because they are finishing off wounded deer shot during legal hunting hours doesnt cut it with me.

 
Fortunately, in Indiana, we have a Governor who is a staunch Second Amendment supporter, and white-tail hunters now have the right to carry their personal carry sidearm with them while hunting either with firearm or bow. I have a Glock in .45 ACP with me always.
 
On the other hand, even though I may carry my sidearm with me, even while tracking a wounded animal after legal shooting hours, I may not use that sidearm to dispatch an animal.
 
I`m certain you can see why the laws are written as they are...hard to sort out the poachers from the guys honestly tracking a wounded animal if it`s ok to have a loaded weapon in the field all hours. You may not like it, and it may not "cut it with you", but, if you violate the law, then you absolutely have crossed that line and become a poacher.

[schlupis]

Didnt expect that answer from you not dispatching a wounded deer because its after hours. You would feel good about finding that animal and then letting it slowly die because you dont want to finish him or her off because of what time it is... Not very ethical is it. Finish the deer off.

[hunter480]

ORIGINAL: schlupis

Didnt expect that answer from you not dispatching a wounded deer because its after hours. You would feel good about finding that animal and then letting it slowly die because you dont want to finish him or her off because of what time it is... Not very ethical is it. Finish the deer off.

 
You have options. You can cut it`s throat. You can wait until morning to track. Or, you can become a poacher. Like always, it`s entirely up to you.