LRB-1753/1
RNK:jld:jf
2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE
April 21, 2011 - Introduced by Senators Moulton, Olsen, Kedzie, Taylor and
Lasee, cosponsored by Representatives Severson, Murtha, LeMahieu,
Rivard, Spanbauer, Brooks, Bies, Mursau, Ballweg, Kleefisch, Vruwink,
Tranel, Ripp
and Endsley. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and
Environment.
SB72,1,6 1An Act to repeal 29.184 (9) (b); to renumber and amend 29.184 (8) and 29.184
2(9) (a); to amend 29.184 (4), 29.184 (5) (a), 29.184 (5) (b), 29.971 (11m) (a) and
329.971 (11m) (b); and to create 29.184 (3) (br) 1m., 29.184 (3) (br) 4., 29.184
4(3m), 29.184 (5) (c) and 29.184 (8) (b) of the statutes; relating to: privileges
5under a Class A or Class B bear hunting license, and bear carcass tag and back
6tag requirements.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues two
types of bear hunting licenses. A Class A bear license allows the license holder to
shoot and kill bear and to exercise the privileges of a Class B bear license. A Class
B bear license allows the license holder to assist a Class A license holder in pursuing
bear, to bait bear, and to train dogs to pursue bear (dog training); but it does not allow
the license holder to actually shoot at or kill bear.
This bill expands the privileges of a Class B bear license. The bill authorizes
the holder of a Class B bear license to shoot and kill a bear that was shot, but not
killed, by another hunter holding a Class A bear license in the same hunting party
if killing the bear is necessary to protect the safety of other members of the hunting
party or the public. The bill also allows the holder of a Class B bear license to pursue
a bear, provided that the holder of the Class B bear license does not shoot or kill the
bear, unless the public safety circumstances for killing a bear shot at by another
hunter apply.

This bill also requires DNR to allow a person who holds a Class B bear license
to engage in dog training during any part of an open season in which DNR allows a
Class A bear license holder to hunt bear with the use of a dog. The bill also eliminates
the requirement that holders of a Class B bear license attach a back tag to their
outermost garment when engaging in the activities authorized under that license.
Current law exempts a person who is under the age of 12 years and who engages
in the activities authorized by a Class B bear license from holding a Class B bear
license. This bill extends this exemption so that it applies to any person who is under
the age of 16 years. The bill also creates a new exemption that authorizes a person
to engage in the activities authorized by a Class B bear license without holding the
license during the third Saturday in August and the immediately following Sunday.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB72, s. 1 1Section 1. 29.184 (3) (br) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:
SB72,2,32 29.184 (3) (br) 1m. Pursue a bear, provided that the licensee does not shoot,
3shoot at, capture, take, or kill the bear, except as provided under subd. 4.
SB72, s. 2 4Section 2. 29.184 (3) (br) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
SB72,2,95 29.184 (3) (br) 4. Shoot, for the purpose of killing, a bear that was shot, but not
6killed by another hunter holding a Class A bear hunting license in the same hunting
7party, if the person for whom the bear is killed possesses a current unused bear
8carcass tag that is authorized for use on the bear killed and if killing the bear is
9necessary to protect the safety of the members of the hunting party or others.
SB72, s. 3 10Section 3. 29.184 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB72,2,1411 29.184 (3m) Open season requirements. If the department establishes an open
12season that includes a period during which a Class A bear license holder is allowed
13to hunt bear with the use of a dog, the department shall allow a Class B bear license
14holder to engage in the activities specified in sub. (3) (br) 3. during that period.
SB72, s. 4 15Section 4. 29.184 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB72,3,4
129.184 (4) Use of dogs. While a person is using a dog to hunt bear or to engage
2in any of the activities specified in sub. (3) (br) 1. to 3. 4., the person shall keep on
3his or her person any tag required for the dog under s. 95.21 (2) (f), 174.053 (2) or
4174.07 (1) (e).
SB72, s. 5 5Section 5. 29.184 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB72,3,76 29.184 (5) (a) A person under the age of 12 16 years may engage in the activities
7authorized under sub. (3) (br) 1. to 3. 4. without holding a Class B bear license.
SB72, s. 6 8Section 6. 29.184 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB72,3,129 29.184 (5) (b) If a disabled person holds either a Class A or a Class B bear
10license, a person who accompanies and assists the disabled person may engage in the
11activities authorized under sub. (3) (br) 1. to 3. 4. without holding a Class B bear
12license.
SB72, s. 7 13Section 7. 29.184 (5) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
SB72,3,1614 29.184 (5) (c) Any person may engage in the activities authorized under sub.
15(3) (br) 1. to 4. during the 3rd Saturday in August and the immediately following
16Sunday without holding a Class B bear license.
SB72, s. 8 17Section 8. 29.184 (8) of the statutes is renumbered 29.184 (8) (a) and amended
18to read:
SB72,3,2319 29.184 (8) (a) The department shall issue a bear carcass tag to each person who
20is issued a Class A bear license. A Except as provided under par. (b), a person who
21kills a bear shall immediately validate and attach the carcass tag to the bear. The
22carcass tag shall be attached and validated according to rules promulgated by the
23department.
SB72, s. 9 24Section 9. 29.184 (8) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB72,4,3
129.184 (8) (b) A person who kills a bear under sub. (3) (br) 4. shall ensure that
2the person for whom the bear is killed attaches a current validated bear carcass tag
3in the manner provided under par. (a).
SB72, s. 10 4Section 10. 29.184 (9) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 29.184 (9) and
5amended to read:
SB72,4,76 29.184 (9) The department shall issue a back tag to each person who is issued
7a Class A bear license or a Class B bear license.
SB72, s. 11 8Section 11. 29.184 (9) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
SB72, s. 12 9Section 12. 29.971 (11m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB72,4,1910 29.971 (11m) (a) For shooting, shooting at, killing, taking, catching or
11possessing a bear without a valid Class A bear license, or for possessing a bear which
12does not have a carcass tag attached or possessing a bear during the closed season,
13by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for not
14more than 6 months or both for the first violation, or by a fine of not more than
15$10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 9 months or both for any subsequent
16violation, and, in addition, the court shall revoke all hunting approvals issued to the
17person under this chapter and shall prohibit the issuance of any new hunting
18approval under this chapter to the person for 3 years. This paragraph does not apply
19to a person who shoots at or kills a bear as authorized under s. 29.184 (3) (br) 4.
SB72, s. 13 20Section 13. 29.971 (11m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB72,4,2421 29.971 (11m) (b) Except as provided under par. (a), for the violation of any
22provision of this chapter relating to bear hunting, to the activities specified in s.
2329.184 (3) (br) 1. to 3. 4., or to the validation of a bear carcass tag or registration of
24a bear, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.
SB72,4,2525 (End)
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