LRB-0325/3
RCT:kjf:jf
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Kirby, BB0128 - Elk reintroduction
For 2013-2015 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Natural Resources
Fish, game, and wildlife
Current law authorizes DATCP to prohibit or regulate the importing of animals into this state and the movement of animals within the state if necessary to prevent the introduction or spread of disease. Current law also gives DATCP specific authority to promulgate rules concerning testing animals, including farm-raised deer, for diseases such as tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.
This bill authorizes DNR to import, move, and introduce elk into specified counties if specified conditions are met, including that the elk are taken from the wild, DNR determines that the applicable DATCP requirements related to chronic wasting disease concerning importing and moving animals and disease testing are met to the extent possible and practical with wild elk, DNR tests the elk for tuberculosis and brucellosis, and DNR does not seek a reduction of road access in connection with introducing the elk.
Current law authorizes DNR to establish open seasons for hunting game. The bill prohibits DNR from establishing an open season for hunting elk that begins earlier than the Saturday nearest October 15.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 29.182 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
29.182 (1m) Open season requirement. The department may not establish an open season for hunting elk that begins earlier than the Saturday nearest October 15.
Section
2. 29.753 of the statutes is created to read:
29.753 Importation of wild elk. Notwithstanding ss. 95.20 and 95.55 (6) and rules promulgated under those provisions, the department may import and move elk and introduce the elk into Ashland, Bayfield, Jackson, Price, or Sawyer county if all of the following apply:
(1) The elk are taken from the wild and not raised on a farm.
(2) The purpose of importing or moving the elk is to protect, develop, or manage wildlife resources in this state.
(3) The department determines that the applicable requirements related to chronic wasting disease under ss. 95.20 and 95.55 (6) are met to the fullest extent possible and practical with wild and free-roaming elk.
(4) The department tests each elk for tuberculosis and brucellosis before importing or moving the elk in accordance with the applicable disease testing requirements of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.
(5) The department does not seek a reduction of road access to public lands in connection with importing, moving, or introducing the elk.
(End)
