LRB-2203/1
RNK:cjs&ahe
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
November 20, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Lassa, Moulton, Miller, Hansen, L.
Taylor
, Wirch, Vinehout, Olsen, Marklein, Ringhand and LeMahieu,
cosponsored by Representatives Shankland, Kleefisch, Milroy, Hesselbein,
Gannon, Hebl, Kolste, Danou, Tittl, Novak, Zamarripa, Mason, Ballweg,
Berceau, Petryk, Ohnstad, T. Larson, E. Brooks, Mursau, Spreitzer,
Edming, Considine, Rohrkaste, Skowronski and Riemer. Referred to
Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry.
SB394,1,3 1An Act to create 29.054 of the statutes; relating to: requiring the Department
2of Natural Resources to establish a special wild turkey hunting program for
3certain disabled veterans.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues various
licenses, permits, and other approvals (approvals) authorizing hunting, fishing, and
trapping. Among the approvals that DNR issues are wild turkey hunting licenses,
stamps, and tags.
This bill requires DNR to administer a program under which it provides
instruction to disabled veterans who are learning to hunt wild turkey and under
which it establishes a special wild turkey hunting event during which only disabled
veterans are allowed to participate. The bill defines a disabled veteran as a veteran
who is a resident of this state and who has a service-connected disability rating
under federal law of at least 50 percent.
Under this bill, a disabled veteran may hunt wild turkey during a special wild
turkey hunting event established by DNR if the disabled veteran holds the required
turkey hunting approvals or has been issued a waiver from all hunting approval
requirements by DNR, receives instruction about wild turkey hunting as specified
by DNR, and is accompanied by a mentor at all times while hunting. The bill requires
the mentor to have at least five years of hunting experience, to hold a valid hunting
approval, and to provide instruction or assistance to the disabled veteran. The bill
prohibits DNR from charging a disabled veteran participating in the program a fee

to receive instruction or a waiver. The bill requires the special event to take place
during the two-week period immediately preceding the period during which the
hunting of wild turkey is otherwise allowed by the department.
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:
SB394,1 1Section 1. 29.054 of the statutes is created to read:
SB394,2,2 229.054 Special wild turkey hunting event. (1) In this section:
SB394,2,33 (a) "Disabled veteran" means a person who is all of the following:
SB394,2,44 1. A veteran, as defined in s. 45.01 (12).
SB394,2,55 2. A resident of this state.
SB394,2,76 3. The recipient of an award from the U.S. department of veterans affairs of a
7service-connected disability rating under 38 USC 1114 or 1134 of at least 50 percent.
SB394,2,108 (b) "Mentor" means a person who has at least 5 years of hunting experience,
9who holds any valid hunting approval issued by the department, and who provides
10instruction or renders assistance to a disabled veteran learning to hunt wild turkey.
SB394,2,15 11(2) The department shall administer a program under which it provides
12instruction to disabled veterans about wild turkey hunting and establishes a special
13wild turkey hunting event for disabled veterans who are learning to hunt wild
14turkey. A disabled veteran is authorized to hunt wild turkey during the special wild
15turkey hunting event established under this subsection if all of the following apply:
SB394,2,1716 (a) The disabled veteran holds the required approvals under s. 29.164 or holds
17a waiver issued by the department under sub. (3).
SB394,2,1918 (b) The disabled veteran receives instruction about wild turkey hunting as
19specified by the department.
SB394,3,1
1(c) The disabled veteran is accompanied by a mentor at all times while hunting.
SB394,3,7 2(3) The department shall issue a waiver to a disabled veteran under this
3section who applies for the waiver in the form and manner required by the
4department. A disabled veteran who is issued a waiver under this subsection may
5hunt wild turkey during the special wild turkey hunting event established under
6sub. (2) without holding any approval that would otherwise be required under this
7chapter to hunt wild turkey.
SB394,3,10 8(4) The special wild turkey hunting event established under sub. (2) shall allow
9wild turkey hunting during the 2 weeks immediately preceding the time period
10during which wild turkey hunting is otherwise allowed by the department.
SB394,3,12 11(5) The department may not charge a fee for a waiver issued, or the instruction
12provided, by the department under this section.
SB394,3,1313 (End)
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