November 16, 2011 - Introduced by Representatives Tauchen, Craig, Sinicki,
Petryk, Kleefisch, Rivard, Krug, Endsley
and Spanbauer, cosponsored by
Senators Schultz and Taylor. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
AB384,1,6 1An Act to amend 29.161 (2), 29.164 (2) (b), 29.173 (2) (a), 29.173 (2) (b) (intro.),
229.182 (3) (a), 29.182 (3) (b), 29.184 (3) (c), 29.193 (2) (cr) 1., 29.193 (2) (cr) 2.,
329.204 (2), 29.207 (2), 29.211 (2) and 29.213 (2); and to create 29.001 (17),
429.001 (19m) and 29.014 (1m) of the statutes; relating to: weapons that may
5be used to hunt certain animals and requirements for establishing open
6hunting seasons for those animals.
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. Those licenses also specify the type of weapon that may be used when hunting
under those licenses. For example, a deer hunting license authorizes the holder of
the license to only hunt with a firearm but a Class A bear license authorizes the
license holder to hunt with a firearm, a bow and arrow, and under certain
circumstances a crossbow. DNR also establishes seasons during which the hunting
of certain animals with a specified weapon is allowed.
This bill expands the types of weapons that may be used under the authority
of a deer, elk, wild turkey, small game, and Class A bear hunting license. Under the
bill, each of these licenses authorizes a person to hunt with a firearm, a bow and
arrow, or a crossbow. The bill eliminates the requirement that a person must be at
least 65 years old or be disabled and hold a crossbow permit in order to hunt with a

crossbow under the authority of any of these licenses. The bill does not change
current law, which also allows the use of an airgun under the authority of a small
game license. It also does not change current law under which a person who holds
an archer hunting license may use a crossbow only if the person has attained the age
of 65 or holds a permit that authorizes the use of a crossbow.
This bill also specifies that, when DNR opens a hunting season for the purpose
of hunting deer, elk, wild turkey, small game, or bear with any firearm, DNR must
also allow the use of a bow and arrow and a crossbow during that open season by a
person who holds the appropriate license. The bill further provides that, if DNR
establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear
with a bow and arrow, but not with a firearm, then DNR may not open the season for
hunting those animals with a crossbow. This prohibition does not apply under the
bill to a person who is authorized under current law to use a crossbow based on age
or disability.
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:
AB384, s. 1 1Section 1. 29.001 (17) of the statutes is created to read:
AB384,2,42 29.001 (17) "Bow," when used with reference to hunting, means a bow, drawn
3and held by and through the effort of the person releasing it, but does not include a
4crossbow.
AB384, s. 2 5Section 2. 29.001 (19m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB384,2,76 29.001 (19m) "Crossbow" means any device using a bow that, once drawn, is
7held solely by means other than the effort of the person firing it.
AB384, s. 3 8Section 3. 29.014 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB384,2,119 29.014 (1m) (a) If the department establishes an open season for hunting deer,
10elk, small game, wild turkey, or bear with a firearm, the season shall also be open for
11hunting that animal with a crossbow and a bow and arrow.
AB384,3,312 (b) If the department establishes an open season for hunting deer, elk, small
13game, wild turkey, or bear with a bow and arrow but not with a firearm, the

1department may not open that season for hunting with a crossbow except by a person
2who has attained the age of 65 or by a person who is authorized to hunt with a
3crossbow by a permit issued under s. 29.171 (4) (a) or 29.193 (2).
AB384, s. 4 4Section 4. 29.161 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,3,95 29.161 (2) A resident small game hunting license authorizes hunting with a
6firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow, or with a crossbow if the holder of the license has
7a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes
8hunting with a crossbow, has a crossbow permit issued under s. 29.171 (4) (a), or has
9attained the age of 65 years
.
AB384, s. 5 10Section 5. 29.164 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,3,1511 29.164 (2) (b) Type of hunting authorized. A license issued under this section
12authorizes hunting with a firearm or, bow and arrow, or with a crossbow if the holder
13of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that
14authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has a crossbow permit issued under s. 29.171
15(4) (a), or has attained the age of 65 years
.
AB384, s. 6 16Section 6. 29.173 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,3,1817 29.173 (2) (a) A resident deer hunting license authorizes the hunting of deer
18with firearms only a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB384, s. 7 19Section 7. 29.173 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,3,2520 29.173 (2) (b) (intro.) A qualified service member holding a current resident
21deer hunting license may hunt deer of either sex with a firearm during any season
22open to hunting of deer with firearms that is established by the department. For
23purposes of this paragraph, a qualified service member is a member of the armed
24forces who exhibits proof that he or she is in active service with the armed forces
25outside this state and proof of one of the following:
AB384, s. 8
1Section 8. 29.182 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,4,62 29.182 (3) (a) A resident elk hunting license authorizes a resident of this state
3to hunt elk with a firearm or, bow and arrow, or with a crossbow, if the resident has
4a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that authorizes
5hunting with a crossbow, or if the resident has a crossbow permit issued under s.
629.171 (4) (a)
.
AB384, s. 9 7Section 9. 29.182 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,4,98 29.182 (3) (b) A nonresident elk hunting license authorizes a nonresident of
9this state to hunt elk with a firearm or with a , bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB384, s. 10 10Section 10. 29.184 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,4,1411 29.184 (3) (c) Type of hunting authorized. A Class A bear license authorizes
12hunting with a firearm or, bow and arrow , or with a crossbow if the holder of the
13license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that
14authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years
.
AB384, s. 11 15Section 11. 29.193 (2) (cr) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,4,1916 29.193 (2) (cr) 1. A person holding a current resident or nonresident deer
17hunting license and a Class A or Class C permit may hunt deer of either sex with a
18firearm during any season open to hunting of deer with firearms that is established
19by the department.
AB384, s. 12 20Section 12. 29.193 (2) (cr) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,4,2521 29.193 (2) (cr) 2. A Class A permit authorizes the holder to shoot or hunt from
22a stationary vehicle, to fish or troll as authorized under sub. (1m) (b) and to hunt
23certain game with a crossbow as authorized under ss. 29.161 (2), 29.164 (2) (b),
2429.171 (2), 29.182 (3) (a), 29.184 (3) (c), 29.204 (2), 29.207 (2), 29.213 (2), and 29.216
25(2).
AB384, s. 13
1Section 13. 29.204 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,5,52 29.204 (2) A nonresident annual small game hunting license authorizes
3hunting with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow, or with a crossbow if the holder
4of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that
5authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years
.
AB384, s. 14 6Section 14. 29.207 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,5,107 29.207 (2) A nonresident 5-day small game hunting license authorizes hunting
8with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow, or with a crossbow if the holder of the
9license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that
10authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years
.
AB384, s. 15 11Section 15. 29.211 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,5,1312 29.211 (2) Authorization. A nonresident deer hunting license authorizes the
13hunting of deer with firearms only a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB384, s. 16 14Section 16. 29.213 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB384,5,1815 29.213 (2) A nonresident fur-bearing animal hunting license authorizes
16hunting with a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow, or with a crossbow if the holder
17of the license has a Class A, Class B, or Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) that
18authorizes hunting with a crossbow or has attained the age of 65 years
.
AB384,5,1919 (End)
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