Senator Baumgart , with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Aldo Leopold.
Senator Rude, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Conservation Wardens John Buss and Michael Nice who serve the people of Southwestern Wisconsin.
Warden's Buss and Nice demonstrating exemplary investigative abilities, along with having established an extraordinary relationship of trust with the hunters and anglers of Southwestern Wisconsin, have used those skills and anonymous tips to solve an extraordinarily high number of violations of fish and game and license laws.
S562
Since Christmas of 1999, tips from citizens have resulted in successful investigations and prosecutions for a large number of offenses. Notably were two repeat offenders who in 1996 had confessed to having poached numerous deer including a very large 12 point buck, as well as having illegally taken 28 turkeys and 50 grouse resulting in over $25,000.00 dollars in penalties 27 years of license revocation, 2 years in jail and loss of guns. In 1999, tips from citizens led wardens Buss and Nice back to one of the perpetrators where they established a case prosecuting this poacher once again for taking two more deer illegally. This crime resulted in over $12,000.00 in fines, a lifetime revocation of his license and 15 years of probation.
Other successful prosecutions based on citizen input include two anglers who had kept 200 bluegills over the limit. The prosecution of the individual who shot the Legend of the fall from Devils Lake State Park after the season closed. And while southwestern Wisconsin has a reputation for big bucks with big racks, don't be tempted to take one of them out of season. Warden's Buss and Nice have this year alone recovered illegal deer racks including a 10 point buck with a 23 inch spread, and a 18 inch and a 18 and a half inch spread rack.
They have investigated and solved cases involving theft of Ginseng from a landowner's property obtaining fines of over $2000.00 and returning the herb to the owner. While investigating a report of gunshots out of season they turned this investigation into additional citations for a felon who admitted to the original complaint as well as Ag Tag violations.
Recently a deer processor reported to these wardens, that while processing a deer reported to have been shot during bow season, a freshly spent bullet fell out of the deer. The subsequent investigation resulted in the individual admitting to having shot the deer with a rifle. He also admitted to several other violations not related to the original complaint.
Wardens John Buss and Michael Nice have an established, well earned reputation in Southwestern Wisconsin of being the Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson of Conservation Law investigations.
On duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week, these fine individuals have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their commitment to preserving and protecting the resources of our state. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring their exemplary performance.
I ask that my comments be included in the Senate Journal and that a copy of my comments be forwarded to Governor Thompson, the members of the Natural Resources Board, Chief Warden Harelson and Secretary Meyer so that they also might recognize these outstanding and committed individuals.
Senators Clausing, Rude and Schultz, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor and memory of Evan Zantow, of the Mississippi Parkway Commission, Wisconsin Commission Chairperson, who passed away this week.
Senator Grobschmidt, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of South Milwaukee High School Music Program as one of only 100 schools in the nation to receive a Grammy Award for Excellence in Music Education.
Senator Chvala, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Bob Conlin's birthday today.
Senator Zien, with unanimous consent, asked that when the Senate adjourn, it do so in honor of Wisconsin's 26,000 Volunteer firefighters, 3,000 EMTs and their families and the retired firefighters and EMTs who have served our state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
__________________
Senator Chvala, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, March 30 at 1:50 P.M..
Adjourned.
7:46 P.M
__________________
Corrections In:
1999 Assembly Bill 533
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(March 28, 2000)
1. Page 21, line 8: delete "24" and substitute "25".
Corrections In:
Engrossed 1999 Assembly Bill 806
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(March 28, 2000)
Page 7, line 16: delete "254.154" and substitute "254.154 Local authority.".