Alert! This chapter may be affected by an emergency rule:
NR 19.28 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1987, No. 375, eff. 4-1-87.
NR 19.30 NR 19.30Criminal history checks; volunteer instructors. Whenever application is made to the department by a person interested in becoming certified to instruct as a volunteer all-terrain vehicle, boating, bow hunter, hunter education, Wisconsin cooperative trapper education program or snowmobile safety instructor, the bureau of law enforcement shall conduct a criminal history, character and background check on the applicant. Notwithstanding s. NR 19.025, the bureau of law enforcement shall conduct a background check on any person who applies to serve as an angler or aquatic education instructor, or an educational outdoor skills activity mentor. Upon becoming aware of information indicating prior illegal activity, the department shall make appropriate inquiry into criminal history and character of instructor or mentoring applicants and determine their suitability for the proposed activity.
NR 19.30 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1996, No. 487, eff. 8-1-96; am. Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; CR 09-018: am. Register February 2010 No. 650, eff. 3-1-10.
NR 19.40 NR 19.40Department authority to void local hunting, fishing and trapping ordinances.
NR 19.40(1)(1)Purpose. These rules are developed, pursuant to s. 227.11, Stats., to establish procedures for determining when local ordinances should be voided under s. 29.038, Stats., because they have more than an incidental effect on hunting, fishing or trapping, or do not have public health and safety as a primary purpose.
NR 19.40(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:
NR 19.40(2)(a) (a) “Building devoted to human occupancy" has the meaning used in s. 941.20 (1) (d), Stats.
NR 19.40(2)(b) (b) “Undeveloped lands" has the meaning given in s. 943.13 (1e) (cr), Stats.
NR 19.40(3) (3) Department determinations. Department determinations related to the legality of local ordinances regulating hunting, fishing or trapping shall consider the following factors when determining the validity of a local ordinance. The listed factors are not weighted and are factors which would favor a department decision to void the ordinance.
NR 19.40(3)(a) (a) The extent to which the ordinance affects undeveloped lands or lands which are zoned agricultural, forestry, lowland conservancy, upland conservancy or flood plain.
NR 19.40(3)(b) (b) The extent to which the department has received complaints about the ordinance.
NR 19.40(3)(c) (c) Whether the ordinance purports to directly regulate hunting.
NR 19.40(3)(d) (d) Whether the ordinance requires a permit to discharge a firearm or a bow, whether a fee is charged which exceeds 150 percent of the issuance fee established by s. NR 19.02 (4) (b), creates a higher fee for non-residents or requires a background check.
NR 19.40 Note Note: At the current time, the fee established by s. NR 19.02 (4) (b) is $3.00.
NR 19.40(3)(e) (e) Whether the ordinance restricts the discharge of fine shot while the shooter is in or on the water more than 100 yards from the nearest developed shoreline, and shooting away from or parallel to that shoreline.
NR 19.40(3)(f) (f) Whether the ordinance prohibits the discharge of fine shot when on undeveloped lands which are more than 100 yards from buildings devoted to human occupancy, and shooting away from the buildings.
NR 19.40(3)(g) (g) Whether the ordinance prohibits hunting, fishing or trapping on department property otherwise open to hunting, fishing or trapping or on property leased by or under easement to the department for the purpose of hunting, fishing or trapping.
NR 19.40(3)(h) (h) Whether the ordinance prohibits the discharge of shotguns or bows within all areas of the municipality.
NR 19.40(3)(i) (i) Whether the ordinance prohibits the discharge of bows.
NR 19.40(3)(j) (j) Whether existing state laws adequately address the local safety concerns.
NR 19.40(3)(k) (k) Whether the ordinance prohibits fishing by individuals located on public waters.
NR 19.40(3)(L) (L) Whether less restrictive alternatives are available to address a municipality's safety concerns.
NR 19.40(3)(m) (m) Whether the ordinance prohibits live trapping.
NR 19.40(3)(n) (n) Whether the ordinance has no apparent health or safety purpose.
NR 19.40(4) (4) Exception. This section does not apply to fishing rafts subject to regulation under s. 30.126, Stats.
NR 19.40(5) (5) Procedures.
NR 19.40(5)(a)(a) Prior to holding a hearing to determine the validity of a local ordinance under s. 29.038, Stats., the department shall mail the affected municipality a notice of the time and location of the hearing. The department shall also publish a class I notice under ch. 985, Stats., of the hearing in the county in which the municipality is located. The notice shall be given at least 30 days prior to the date set for the hearing.
NR 19.40(5)(b) (b) Hearings shall be conducted to the extent possible in a manner consistent with s. 227.18 (1) and (2), Stats.
NR 19.40(5)(c) (c) The final decision shall be made by the secretary or the secretary's designee.
NR 19.40(5)(d) (d) The decision shall be in writing and accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law.
NR 19.40(5)(e) (e) The department may void ordinances found to be in violation of s. 29.038, Stats., in whole or in part, or as applied to certain areas, certain classes of persons, certain times of the year, or certain circumstances.
NR 19.40 History History: Cr. Register, May, 2001, No. 545, eff. 6-1-01; correction in (2) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2013 No. 689.
NR 19.50 NR 19.50All-terrain vehicle and bowhunter, snowmobile and hunter education program fee. The fee for the all-terrain vehicle and bowhunter, snowmobile and hunter education certification programs shall be $10.00 per student. The department may authorize the instructors to retain up to 50 percent of the fee to defray authorized expenses incurred locally to operate the program based on the actual cost incurred to the instructor. The remaining funds shall be turned in to the department to defray expenses incurred to operate these programs during the year. The fee for advanced hunter education courses shall only be the amount necessary, but not to exceed $50 per student. Only instructors certified by the department to teach advanced education courses under this section may charge a fee for the advanced education courses. The department may authorize specialized fees for Internet based all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile education certification programs pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with entities managing these programs for the department. The specialized fee shall be in lieu of the $10.00 per student fee and shall be sufficient to defray authorized operational costs of entities managing these programs for the department as well as operational costs of the department.
NR 19.50 History History: CR 00-110: cr. Register April 2002 No. 556, eff. 5-1-02; emerg. am. eff. 10-3-05; CR 05-088: am. Register March 2006 No. 603, eff. 4-1-06; CR 06-134: am. Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 9-1-07.
NR 19.51 NR 19.51Wisconsin cooperative trapper education program fee. The fee for the course of instruction under the Wisconsin cooperative trapper education program shall be $12.00 per student. The fee for correspondence trapper education certification program shall be $12.00 per student for correspondence programs that require in-state mailing of course materials and shall be $28.00 per student for correspondence programs that require out-of-state mailing of course materials. In addition to the fees established in this section, for correspondence courses, each student shall pay a $17.00 deposit that shall be refunded when the course materials are returned. Only instructors who are certified by the department to teach trapper education courses under s. 29.597, Stats., may charge a fee for a trapper education course established under s. 29.597, Stats.
NR 19.51 History History: CR 07-015: cr. Register September 2007 No. 621, eff. 2-1-08; CR 08-011: am. Register September 2008 No. 633, eff. 2-1-09; CR 23-013: am. Register February 2024 No. 818, eff. 3-1-24; CR 23-025: am. Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24.
NR 19.60 NR 19.60Feeding of wild animals.
NR 19.60(1)(1)General prohibitions.
NR 19.60(1)(a)(a) No person may place, deposit or allow the placement of any material to feed or attract wild animals for non-hunting purposes including recreational and supplemental feeding, except as provided in sub. (2) or (3), or as specifically authorized in a permit or license issued under s. 29.614 (1) or 169.25 (1) (a), Stats., or s. NR 12.06 (11) or 12.10 (1).
NR 19.60 Note Note: Section 29.614, Stats., states: Scientific collector permit. (1) Application for a scientific collector permit shall be submitted to the department. The department may issue a scientific collector permit if the department determines that the applicant is a natural person and is engaged in a bona fide program leading to increased, useful scientific knowledge.
NR 19.60 Note Note: Section 169.25, Stats., states: Scientific research license. (1) Issuance. (a) The department shall issue a scientific research license to any person who is engaged in a study or in research that the department determines will lead to increased, useful scientific knowledge and who files a proper application and who pays the applicable fee.
NR 19.60(1)(b) (b) Any person placing feed to attract wild animals in violation of this section or s. NR 10.07 (2) or (2m) shall remove all feed or other material illegally placed or deposited when notified by the department to do so.
NR 19.60(1)(c) (c) Landowners, lessees or occupants of any property where feed or other material in violation of this section or s. NR 10.07 (2) or (2m) is present shall remove all feed or other material illegally placed or deposited upon notification by the department of the illegal activity if not otherwise removed in accordance with par. (b).
NR 19.60(1)(d) (d) Except as authorized under sub. (3) (a) 1., no person may place feed in a feeder designed to deposit or replenish the feed automatically, mechanically or by gravity.
NR 19.60(2) (2) Feeding deer authorized.
NR 19.60(2)(a) (a) Affected area. This subsection applies statewide, except for those counties where deer baiting and feeding is prohibited under par. (b).
NR 19.60(2)(b) (b) Excluded area. Deer baiting and feeding is prohibited in entire counties where any of the following criteria apply:
NR 19.60(2)(b)1. 1. A CWD-affected area has been established in the county or a portion of the county, or
NR 19.60(2)(b)2. 2. A CWD or bovine tuberculosis positive captive or free-roaming, domestic or wild animal has been confirmed after December 31, 1997 from the county, or
NR 19.60(2)(b)3. 3. The county or portion of the county is within a 10 mile radius of a captive or free-roaming, domestic or wild animal that has been tested and confirmed to be positive for CWD or bovine tuberculosis after December 31, 1997.
NR 19.60(2)(c) (c) Inclusion of additional counties.
NR 19.60(2)(c)1.1. The department may add additional counties under par. (b) if they meet the criteria established in par. (b) 1., 2. or 3.
NR 19.60(2)(c)2. 2. The prohibitions and exemptions in this subsection shall become effective upon issuance of an order by the secretary of the department and publication in the official state newspaper. In addition, a notice of the order shall be provided to newspapers, legislators and hunting license outlets in the area affected.
NR 19.60(2)(d) (d) Deer feeding. A person may place or deposit material to feed or attract wild deer for recreational and supplemental feeding purposes outside of the counties where deer feeding is prohibited under par. (b), but may not place or allow the placement of any feed material:
NR 19.60(2)(d)1. 1. In excess of 2 gallons of feeding material within 50 yards of any owner occupied residence or business.
NR 19.60(2)(d)2. 2. More than 50 yards from an owner occupied residence or business.
NR 19.60(2)(d)3. 3. Within 100 yards from a roadway, as defined in s. 340.01 (54), Stats., having a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or more.
NR 19.60 Note Note: Section 340.01 (54), Stats., “Roadway" means that portion of a highway between the regularly established curb lines or that portion which is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, excluding the berm or shoulder. In a divided highway, the term “roadway" refers to each roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.
NR 19.60(2)(d)4. 4. That contains any animal part or animal byproduct.
NR 19.60(2)(d)5. 5. Without the approval of the owner of the owner-occupied residence or business.
NR 19.60(2)(d)6. 6. At a feeding site that the person knows or should have known is also being used by bear or elk. If the owner of the residence or business is notified by the department or otherwise becomes aware that bear or elk have been using a deer feeding site, the owner may not place or allow others to place any feed material that is accessible to deer, bear or elk within 50 yards of the owner-occupied residence or business for a period not less than 30 days.
NR 19.60(3) (3) Exceptions.
NR 19.60(3)(a)(a) This section does not prohibit any of the following activities:
NR 19.60(3)(a)1. 1. Material placed solely for the purpose of attracting and feeding wild birds and small mammals when placed in bird feeding devices and structures at a sufficient height or design to prevent access by deer and only when the structures and devices are no further than 50 yards from a dwelling devoted to human occupancy unless authorized by the department. If the department determines that wild deer are utilizing bird feeding devices or structures, the devices or structures shall be enclosed or elevated higher to prevent access by deer.
NR 19.60(3)(a)2. 2. Feeding of wild animals, other than deer, elk or bear, by hand if:
NR 19.60(3)(a)2.a. a. Feed placed not more than 30 feet away from the person feeding, and
NR 19.60(3)(a)2.b. b. The person feeding makes all reasonable attempts to clean up the unconsumed feed before moving a distance greater than 30 feet from the deposited feed.
NR 19.60(3)(a)3. 3. Feed deposited by natural vegetation or found solely as a result of normal agricultural or gardening practices.
NR 19.60(3)(a)4. 4. Standing crops planted and left standing as wildlife food plots that may be used by wild animals.
NR 19.60(3)(a)5. 5. Feed material placed for deer or bear hunting or bear dog training as authorized under s. NR 10.07 (2m).
NR 19.60(3)(a)6. 6. Feed material placed for trapping as specified in s. NR 10.13.
NR 19.60(3)(a)7. 7. The use of scents, provided the material is not accessible for consumption by deer or elk or scent placed in compliance with s. NR 10.07 (2) (b) 4.
NR 19.60(3)(a)8. 8. Feed or bait material placed or used for fish, reptiles, amphibians or arthropods, provided the material is not accessible to bear, deer or elk.
NR 19.60(3)(a)9. 9. Feeding of deer as authorized under sub. (2).
NR 19.60 Note Note: These feeding rules do not apply to captive wild animals held and licensed under ch. 169, Stats.
NR 19.60 History History: CR 04-078: cr. Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; CR 07-015: cr. (2) (d) 6. Register September 2007 No. 621, eff. 10-1-07; CR 08-013: am. (2) (b) 1., Register August 2008 No. 632, eff. 9-1-08; CR 14-071: am. (2) (b) 1. Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15.
subch. II of ch. NR 19 Subchapter II — Wildlife Rehabilitation
NR 19.70 NR 19.70Purpose. This subchapter is adopted to establish consistent standards for the rehabilitation of wildlife in Wisconsin. The intent is to ensure all persons engaged in wildlife rehabilitation are qualified and provide humane care and housing for wildlife being rehabilitated.
NR 19.70 History History: CR 03-029: cr. Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04.
NR 19.71 NR 19.71Definitions. In this subchapter:
NR 19.71(1) (1)“Advanced license" means a wildlife rehabilitation license issued by the department to a person qualifying under s. NR 19.73 (1) and (3).
NR 19.71(1m) (1m) “Basic care” means feeding, watering, and cleaning to provide for an animal's basic needs, and does not include tasks such as performing admittance exams and triage, or euthanasia.
NR 19.71(2) (2)“Basic license" means a wildlife rehabilitation license issued by the department to a person qualifying under s. NR 19.73 (1) and (2).
NR 19.71(2m) (2m) “Cage” means any structure in which animals are confined for rehabilitation purposes.
NR 19.71(3) (3)“Department" means the department of natural resources.
NR 19.71(3m) (3m) “Direct supervision” means the actual presence of the licensee or consulting veterinarian.
NR 19.71(4) (4)“Euthanasia" means the humane killing of a wild animal in accordance with the current American veterinary medical association standards contained in the most recent report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia.
NR 19.71 Note Note: Reports of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia are available for inspection at the offices of the Secretary of State, 30 W. Mifflin Street, Madison, WI, the Legislative Reference Bureau, One E. Main Street, Madison, WI, or the department.
NR 19.71(5) (5)“Facilities" means any equipment, housing or shelter used for wildlife rehabilitation.
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Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.