sb63 SB 63 - Vetoed in Full
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor

April 13, 2004

TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE:

I am vetoing Senate Bill 63 in its entirety. The bill creates an exemption to the prohibition on the selling, buying, bartering and trading of feathers and nonedible parts of grouse, partridge, pheasant, quail and wild turkey.

The bill modifies state regulation of fur dealers by designating the sale, purchase, barter and trade of feathers and nonedible parts from upland game birds as a regulated activity under a license issued by the Department of Natural Resources. The bill also grandfathers licensed resident fur dealers to allow them to trade in upland game bird feathers and nonedible parts until their current license expires. Hunters would be exempt from fur and feather dealer licensing and record keeping requirements.

I support the state's efforts to regulate the trade of certain fur and animal parts under current law. However, I object to the commercialization of the upland game bird resource and creating the potential of overharvest for feathers and parts, which would have negative long-term impacts on the state's upland game bird population. Reducing upland game bird populations could also have a negative impact on the sport in the form of reduced bag limits, shorter hunting seasons and issuance of fewer permits. Lastly, the bill potentially increases law enforcement workload related to investigation and response to complaints of illegal hunting.

Respectfully submitted,


JIM DOYLE
Governor