The proposed modifications included in this rule order are consistent with the parameters and guidelines which are annually established by the USFWS in 50 CFR 20. Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States: Since migratory bird species are managed under federal law, each region of the country is organized in a specific geographic flyway which represents distinct migratory game bird populations. Wisconsin along with Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa are members of the Mississippi Flyway. Each year the states included in the flyways meet to discuss regulations and guidelines offered to the flyways by the USFWS. The USFWS regulations and guidelines apply to all states within the Flyway and therefore the regulations in the adjoining states closely resemble the rules established in this rule order, and only differ slightly based on hunter desires, habitat and population management goals. However, these variations fall within guidelines and sideboards established by the USFWS.
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies: These rules will modify the Canada goose hunting season in the Horicon Canada goose management zone consistent with options available under the federal framework for Wisconsin in 2016. In the past, there have been two permit periods and hunters were required to select one and were limited to hunting in only one of the periods. This served to distribute hunting pressure and improve the quality of hunting opportunities in an era when interest in Horicon area goose hunting was significant and there was a great deal of hunting pressure. The regulation is no longer needed because Canada geese are now distributed much more widely across the state and hunting pressure is no longer focused as heavily in the Horicon area. Eliminating the two permit periods in favor of a single, continuous hunting season will simplify hunting regulations and increase hunting opportunities.
Anticipated Private Sector Costs: These rules, and the legislation which grants the department rule making authority, do not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector. Additionally, no costs are associated with compliance to these rules.
Effects on Small Business: These rules are applicable to individual sportspersons and impose no compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses, and no design or operational standards are contained in the rule. Because this rule does not add any regulatory requirements for small businesses, the proposed rules will not have an economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses under s. 227.24(3m) Stats. Agency Contact Person: Kent Van Horn, 101 S. Webster St., PO BOX 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921. kent.vanhorn@wisconsin.gov (608) 266-8841 Deadline for Written Comments: The deadline for written comments was March 18, 2016.
Section 1. NR 10.01 (1) (g) 1. d. and dm. are amended to read:
Kind of Animal | Locality | Open season (all dates inclusive) | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
NR 10.01 (1) (g) Geese 1. Canada geese and its subspecies. | d. Horicon zone | Two permit periods Begins on September 16 and continues for a season total of 92 days. | 2 | Three times the daily bag limit except opening day when it is the same as the daily bag limit and the second day, when it is twice the daily bag limit. |
| | First permit period beginning on September 16 and continuing until the Sunday following the last Friday in October. | 2 | |
| | Second permit period beginning on the Monday following the last Friday in October and continuing for a season total of 92 days combined for both periods. | 2 | |
| dm. Horicon zone season harvest limit. | | | No person may harvest more than 12 Canada geese during a permit period the season established in subd. par. d. |
Section 2. Finding of emergency. The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s. 227.24, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public welfare. The federal government and state legislature have delegated to the appropriate agencies rule-making authority to control the hunting of migratory birds. The State of Wisconsin must comply with federal regulations in the establishment of migratory bird hunting seasons and conditions. Federal regulations are not made available to this state until March of each year. This order is designed to bring state hunting regulations into conformity with federal regulations. Normal rule-making procedures will not allow the establishment of these changes prior to the beginning of migratory bird hunting seasons in September. Failure to modify our rules will result in the failure to provide hunting opportunity and continuation of rules which conflict with federal regulations. Section 3. Effective date. This rule shall take effect upon publication in the Wisconsin state paper pursuant to s. 227.24(1)(c). Section 4. Board adoption. This rule was approved and adopted by the State of Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on ________________________.
