AB332: Bill Text

LRB-2805/2

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2009 - 2010 LEGISLATURE

2009 Assembly BILL 332

June 29, 2009 - Introduced by Representatives Hubler, Jorgensen, Milroy, Steinbrink, Smith and Hraychuck, cosponsored by Senators Holperin, Jauch, Vinehout, Schultz and Taylor. Referred to Committee on Fish and Wildlife.

AB332,1,5 An Act to renumber 29.161, 29.204, 29.207 and 29.213; to amend 29.164 (2) (b), 29.171 (4) (b) (intro.) and 29.193 (2) (cr) 2.; and to create 29.161 (2), 29.184 (3) (c), 29.204 (2), 29.207 (2), 29.213 (2) and 29.216 (2m) of the statutes; relating to: authorizing the use of airguns and crossbows under certain hunting licenses.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues hunting licenses that authorize the hunting of specified animals such as deer, bear, and small game. Certain hunting licenses also specify whether firearms, bows and arrows, or crossbows may be used for hunting under those licenses. This bill authorizes a person to hunt with an airgun under annual small game hunting licenses, under nonresident fur-bearing animal hunting licenses, and under nonresident five-day small game hunting licenses.

Current law authorizes the use of crossbows in hunting under certain limited circumstances. A person may qualify to use a crossbow in hunting if the person meets certain disability standards and is issued a permit from DNR. A resident who is at least 65 years old may use a crossbow without a permit under a resident archer hunting license and under a wild turkey hunting license. This bill expands the authority to use a crossbow without a permit under a wild turkey hunting license to nonresidents who are at least 65 years old. The bill also specifically allows both residents and nonresidents who are at least 65 years old to hunt with a crossbow without a permit under the authority of a Class A bear license and an annual small game hunting license. It also authorizes nonresidents who are at least 65 years old to hunt with a crossbow under a nonresident archer hunting license, a nonresident five-day small game hunting license, or a nonresident fur-bearing animal hunting license.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB332, s. 1 Section 1. 29.161 of the statutes is renumbered 29.161 (1).

AB332, s. 2 Section 2. 29.161 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

AB332,2,7 29.161 (2) A resident small game hunting license authorizes hunting with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the holder of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes hunting with a crossbow, has a crossbow permit issued under s. 29.171 (4) (a), or has attained the age of 65 years.

AB332, s. 3 Section 3. 29.164 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB332,2,13 29.164 (2) (b) Type of hunting authorized. A license issued under this section authorizes hunting with a firearm or bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the holder of the license is a resident and has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has a crossbow permit issued under s. 29.171 (4) (a), or is a resident senior citizen has attained the age of 65 years.

AB332, s. 4 Section 4. 29.171 (4) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB332,2,19 29.171 (4) (b) (intro.) Except as provide in par. (bc), crossbows used in hunting as authorized by a Class A, Class B or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) or under this subsection or as authorized under sub. (2m) or s. 29.161 (2), 29.164 (2) (b), 29.182 (3) (a), 29.184 (3) (c), 29.204 (2), 29.207 (2), 29.213 (2), or 29.216 (2) shall meet all of the following specifications:

AB332, s. 5 Section 5. 29.184 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB332,3,5 29.184 (3) (c) Type of hunting authorized. A Class A bear license authorizes hunting with a firearm or bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the holder of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years.

AB332, s. 6 Section 6. 29.193 (2) (cr) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB332,3,11 29.193 (2) (cr) 2. A Class A permit authorizes the holder to shoot or hunt from a stationary vehicle, to fish or troll as authorized under sub. (1m) (b) and to hunt certain game with a crossbow as authorized under ss. 29.161 (2), 29.164 (2) (b), 29.171 (2), 29.182 (3) (a), 29.184 (3) (c), 29.204 (2), 29.207 (2), 29.213 (2), and 29.216 (2).

AB332, s. 7 Section 7. 29.204 of the statutes is renumbered 29.204 (1).

AB332, s. 8 Section 8. 29.204 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

AB332,3,17 29.204 (2) A nonresident annual small game hunting license authorizes hunting with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the holder of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years.

AB332, s. 9 Section 9. 29.207 of the statutes is renumbered 29.207 (1).

AB332, s. 10 Section 10. 29.207 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

AB332,3,23 29.207 (2) A nonresident 5-day small game hunting license authorizes hunting with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the holder of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years.

AB332, s. 11 Section 11. 29.213 of the statutes is renumbered 29.213 (1).

AB332, s. 12 Section 12. 29.213 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

AB332,4,4 29.213 (2) A nonresident fur-bearing animal hunting license authorizes hunting with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the holder of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years.

AB332, s. 13 Section 13. 29.216 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB332,4,10 29.216 (2m) Persons 65 years of age or older. Notwithstanding sub. (2), a nonresident archer hunting license authorizes hunting with a bow and arrow or with a crossbow if the licensee is a person who has attained the age of 65. A person who has attained the age of 65 is not required to hold a permit from the department to hunt with a crossbow if he or she holds a license under this section.

AB332,4,11 (End)