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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hunter Nation applauds the Wisconsin Senate for its vote to override Governor Tony Evers’ veto of Senate Bill 139
May 15, 2024
Hunter Nation applauds the Wisconsin Senate for its vote to override Governor Tony Evers’ veto of Senate Bill 139 on May 14, by a vote of 22-9. SB 139 requires the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to establish a statewide wolf population goal as part of its wolf management plan.
Hunter Nation’s Chairman of the Board, Rock Bordelon, stated, “Today was a victory for Wisconsin hunters. But, to prevent another veto by the Governor, it’s going to take a bipartisan effort in the Assembly to reach the 2/3 vote total needed.”
On March 29, 2024, Governor Evers vetoed this bill in its entirety. Attempting to justify his veto, the Governor stated in part, “I object to requiring the department to establish a numeric population goal for wolves, as this does not consider the social, scientific, biological, and legal complexities of a recovered wolf population.”
SB 139 states:
“If the wolf is not listed on the federal endangered list and is not listed on the state endangered list, the department shall allow the hunting and trapping of wolves, shall regulate such hunting and trapping as provided in this section, and shall implement a wolf management plan that establishes a statewide wolf population goal. In regulating wolf hunting and trapping, the department may limit the number of wolf hunters and trappers and the number of wolves that may be taken by issuing wolf harvesting licenses.”
“On behalf of our members and the overwhelming majority of hunters in Wisconsin, Hunter Nation would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu for his leadership in bringing this important issue back to the Senate floor,” stated Hunter Nation’s Wisconsin state director, Chris Vaughan.
“Wildlife conservation issues should never be based on partisan politics,” stated Keith Mark, Founder and President of Hunter Nation. “I encourage democrats and republicans alike, in the Wisconsin Assembly, to recognize that the previous wolf management plan, which included a numeric population goal, was incredibly successful and the wolf has fully recovered. Therefore, they should vote ‘yes’ on SB 139,” concluded Mark.
Contact Information
Chris Vaughan
Hunter Nation Wisconsin State Director
[email protected]
Keith Mark
Hunter Nation Founder and President
[email protected]
While predator management is at the forefront of what we are currently engaged in, this was an open forum opportunity to discuss predators, our whitetail deer herd and all wildlife management needs in our state with elected officials.
Next Listening Session Event
I am excited to announce our next event will be held on
Tuesday June 18th in Medford at the Simek Event Center at 5:30pm.
Sponsored by the Taylor County Sportsman’s Club, this will be another opportunity to discuss predators, whitetails, turkey, and all wildlife management opportunities in our state with Hunter Nation and your elected state legislators. Mark your calendar now and get there early as it will be packed!
Mark your calendar now and get there early as it will be packed!>
Date: June 18, 2024 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Simek Recreation Center
Address: 1037 W Broadway Ave, Medford, WI 54451
These events are important as we continue our work for you as the United Voice of the Wisconsin Hunter
Following firearms season the Statewide Deer Harvest was down 20% from 2022.
2000 thru 2008 - 486,274 Avg Deer Harvest
2009 thru 2023 - 325,225 Avg. Deer Harvest
That is an average of 161,045 (33%) fewer Deer Harvested since Since 2008 when the Wolf population exceeded 550.
HUNTER NATION WISCSONSIN IS CONSISTETLY IN THE FIGHT FOR YOU
Included in the 41 vetoes by Gov. Tony Evers last week was Senate Bill 139. This would require the Department of Natural Resources to establish a statewide wolf population goal as a part of the Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan.
We are disappointed but not surprised by the governors’ actions as he, the Wisconsin DNR along with the Natural Resource Board are more concerned with the “social impact” from the voices of residents living in Madison and Milwaukee along with animal rights activists from multiple states throughout the country. The “social science” approach will only increase livestock and pet depredation and dangerous encounters with this apex predator.
The governor cites the DNR’s adaptive management approach as necessary to achieve a healthy wolf population, yet three days earlier the DNR announced the early closing date for the river otter trapping season in the Northern Zone due to concerns of the population dropping below their numeric goal. Switching between adaptive management and numeric populations appears to be a convenient option depending on their agenda.
The resident stakeholders and their elected officials overwhelmingly support a defined wolf population goal, yet actions by the governor, DNR & NRB reflect only those living outside of Wisconsin’s wolf habitat.
The reality is that the original wolf recovery plan with a numeric population goal was successful and met every population goal established. Rather than use a proven scientific plan that worked, the DNR forces a social science approach with ballot box biology.
CLICK HERE TO SEE HUNTER NATION’S PRESS RELEASE ON THIS VETO
https://hunternation.org/hunters-react-to-wisconsin-governor-evers-wolf-management-veto/
With your help, we can protect Wisconsin’s Traditional American Values