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Natural Resources Board adopts spring-hearing wildlife rule, sets standards for trap-checking technology
Summary
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on Sept. 24 adopted board order WM-17-24, a DNR rule package that clarifies when hunters may leave non-edible carcass parts in the field, sets a uniform fall turkey season for northern zones, establishes standards for using remote technology to check traps, and allows disabled-permit holders to hunt during the two-day youth gun deer season.
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on Sept. 24 voted to adopt board order WM-17-24, the department's 2025 wildlife-management spring-hearing rule package.
The rule package approves four principal changes: (1) clarifies when hunters may leave non-edible parts of deer, bear or elk in the field after field-dressing; (2) creates a uniform fall turkey closing date across Zone 6 and 7; (3) establishes standards for using technology (for example cameras or drones) to check traps; and (4) allows hunters who hold disabled permits to hunt statewide during the two-day youth gun deer season.
The trapping-technology provision drew the most public and board attention. Department staff told the board they had concluded the current code does not prohibit remote checking but lacks standards for how to do it. "We'd rather have standards in place, than no standards at all," said Scott Carroll, the department's wildlife regulation policy specialist, describing outreach and a line-by-line review of proposed language with trappers and conservation groups. Carroll said staff met with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Wisconsin Trappers Association and held demonstrations and discussions at trappers' rendezvous events and committee meetings.
Rob Bowman, chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, told the board the Congress initially did not support the trap-technology question but after department outreach and further committee discussion the Congress executive committee recommended support. "We met last week Wednesday with the delegation and took a position to support this rule moving forward," Bowman said.
Board members praised the outreach. After questions and discussion the board approved the rule on a voice vote. Robin Schmidt moved adoption; Rachel Barresa seconded. The motion carried.
Why this matters: the rule package implements multiple spring-hearing items that had majority public support from the April hearings and clarifies how trappers may use modern technology to check traps. It also removes an earlier precautionary split in the fall turkey schedule for northern zones and expands hunting access for hunters with disabled permits.
What the rule does not do: it does not create new seasons beyond those described and does not require the statewide use of any device; it sets standards for use where adopted.
Outlook: with adoption the rule moves to the administrative finalization steps required for rule publication. The department said it will continue outreach with trappers and its Conservation Congress contacts as the standards are implemented.
