Hunter Nation is Going on Offense
Hunter Nation continues to go on offense to protect American hunters and the sports we love, preserve our outdoor lifestyle and values, conserve our God-given natural resources, and remove barriers for the rising generation of hunters and anglers to enjoy the hunting tradition for years to come.
Earlier today, I stood with Ted Nugent and Wisconsin’s pro-hunter legislators on the assembly floor in Madison to proudly introduce the Wisconsin Sporting Freedom Act.
The aptly-named Wisconsin Sporting Freedom Act is a series of commonsense proposals that:
- increases opportunities for hunting and fishing in Wisconsin
- reduces the regulatory burden on hunters and anglers
- provides oversight and transparency over the use of funds that hunters and anglers pay for licenses—increasing government accountability
- supports the strong economic impact hunters, anglers, and the industry have on the state and their communities
We know implementing these policies is an undertaking. I know first-hand the opposition we will face from radical groups who work to undermine our sport and cut down our values at every turn. We also know that Hunter Nation—you, our 450,000 strong member army, myself, and my team are up to the challenge.
Throughout this legislative process, Hunter Nation will note who stands with the hardworking, principled hunters of Wisconsin and who opposes our sport, outdoor lifestyle, and our values.
We will hold those public leaders accountable who do not stand with American hunters in Wisconsin.
By introducing and, Lord willing, passing the Wisconsin Sporting Freedom Act, we can continue to build on these types of victories—using this as a model to replicate success in other states across the country.
Hunter Nation is the only organization leading the charge to drive this first-of-its-kind legislative package in Wisconsin and driving these pro-hunter policies across the country.
As a member of Hunter Nation, you are part of the united voice American hunters playing offense to protect our outdoor lifestyle, the sport we love, and the values of God Family, Country, and our nation’s Constitution—thank you!
This is just the beginning.
Onward,
Luke Hilgemann
CEO, Hunter Nation
“Hunter Nation is for anything that will help protect hunting and fishing, our lifestyle, and our heritage,” said Hunter Nation Founder, Keith Mark. “The Wisconsin Sporting Freedom Act does just that.”
Hunter Nation is also calling on the legislature to fully audit the Pittman-Robertson Fund to ensure that taxpayer dollars directed to Wisconsin are being used to benefit Wisconsin’s hunters in the most efficient way possible. Under the Pittman-Robertson Act, Wisconsin receives federal aid for the management and restoration of wildlife. Currently, there is no accountability for the DNR.
Below is information on each bill, from material released by the legislators sponsoring them:
Pheasant Management Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Rob Stafsholt and Rep. James Edming
- This bill would increase the minimum number of pheasants being planted to 200,000 and would improve the identification of the properties where the pheasants are planted, increasing access to hunting.
Turkey Hunting Simplification Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Robert Brooks
- This bill would modify administrative rules relating to the hunting of wild turkeys to combine hunting zones and seasons to just two zones and two seasons (down from the complicated and restrictive six seasons that makes it difficult for many hunters to participate), and to modify youth hunting restrictions.
Mentored Hunt Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Petrowski and Rep. Robert Brooks
- This bill would allow an individual to satisfy the in-person field testing requirement for the hunter’s safety program by participating in a mentored hunt.
Wisconsin Brook Trout Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Eric Wimberger and Rep. Elijah Behnke
- This bill would set a minimum number of 100,000 brook trout that would be required to be raised by the DNR.
DNR Regulation Simplification Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Duey Stroebel and Rep. Calvin Callahan
- This bill would require the DNR to eliminate three rules every time they propose adding another rule.
DNR Hunting License Categories Simplification Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Alex Dallman
- This bill would require the DNR to prepare a report that identifies ways to consolidate or eliminate hunting, fishing, and trapping approvals to reduce the total number of types of licenses DNR is required to issue.
Sandhill Crane Hunting Season Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Paul Tittl
- This bill requires the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to authorize the hunting of sandhill cranes by individuals who have completed a sandhill crane hunter education course and who possess the appropriate approval issued by the DNR to help manage the growing sandhill crane population in Wisconsin.
Constitutional Carry Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Robert Brooks
- This bill would guarantee Wisconsinites would be able to exercise their constitutional right to carry a gun under the rights already afforded to them by the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
DNR Habitat Transparency Bill
Sponsored by Sen. John Jagler and Rep. Clint Moses
- This bill would increase transparency and accountability by requiring the DNR to create a biennial work plan that establishes priorities and goals for habitat work on lands managed by DNR and measures progress on established priorities and goals.
DNR Public Lands Access Report Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Gae Magnafici
- This bill would require the DNR to prepare a report that identifies public access opportunities on all lands owned or managed by DNR, land acquired under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program, and open managed forest lands.
Dog Training Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Clint Moses
- This bill would require the DNR to make available on the Go Wild website dog training licenses. Currently, this license is not available there and that makes it harder for hunters to comply.
Aquaculture Partnership Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Alex Dallman
- This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a report that identifies opportunities for partnering with the private aquaculture industry for increased stocking of desirable sport fish in lakes and streams.
Farm-raised Game Bovid
Sponsored by Sen. Patrick Testin and Rep. Jeff Mursau
- Under this bill, Wisconsin hunters will have an opportunity to hunt non- native bovids, some of which are already being raised on Wisconsin game farms. The bill requires farm-raised game bovids to be fenced in the same manner as farm-raised deer other than white-tailed deer.
Hunting and fishing is a part of life and I do it every time I git to go
I want my young grandkids to grow up and
Still see deer and plentiful game, not going to happen without hunters!!
I support you
Traci Clampitt.. I love the constitution.
What about wolf the people that got involed on shutting down our fall hunts. Tree huggers lefts. They dont live around hear. It’s not there pets live stock deer being killed or u can not let kids out to play because not safe u need to keep the numbers in check and we have plenty in northern wi
I’m so happy I was flipping through the radio late last week. I heard hunternation.org and how sandhill cranes are sky ribs. I’ll be telling all my hunting friends and fishermen about hunternation.org. Thank you for what you do.
I like the idea very much.but all I can see is the dnr saying it will cost a bunch and want more money. Would there be away to but limits on the costs? I love that we have the hunting opportunities we have? But I truly hate the government spending that never seems to balance with the results. Government spending is out of control.
Hunting and hunting traditions are dying off more and more every season, because the regulations are getting stricter every year. Also if a farmer or land owner are getting fund’s from the state they should have to set aside an acer or two for food and cover for wildlife. Not that they would have to allow hunting but just to help the wildlife. I just returned from South Dakota for pheasant hunting. This is a million dollar industry and hunting state wide probably brings in billions for the state. That makes hunting and fishing good for all. Thank you.