Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under this bill, a person may hunt an animal with a high-powered air rifle or
an airbow in a season open to hunting that animal with a firearm. The bill defines
“high-powered air rifle” as a weapon originally manufactured to expel a projectile
at a speed of not less than 1,000 feet per second by the expansion of compressed air.
The bill defines “airbow” as a weapon originally manufactured to fire an arrow by the
expansion of compressed air.
Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources is authorized to
establish open and closed seasons for the hunting of wild animals. DNR issues

hunting licenses that authorize the hunting of specified animals and those licenses
specify the type of weapon that may be used when hunting under those licenses.
Under the bill, if DNR establishes an open season for hunting an animal with
a firearm, the season must also be open for hunting that animal with a high-powered
air rifle or an airbow. The bill also provides that each license that currently
authorizes the hunting of an animal with a firearm also authorizes the hunting of
that animal with a high-powered air rifle or an airbow.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB649,1 1Section 1. 29.001 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
AB649,2,32 29.001 (5) “Airbow” means a weapon originally manufactured to fire an arrow
3by the expansion of compressed air, but does not include an airgun.
AB649,2 4Section 2. 29.001 (41s) of the statutes is created to read:
AB649,2,75 29.001 (41s) “High-powered air rifle” means a weapon originally
6manufactured to expel a projectile at a speed of not less than 1,000 feet per second
7by the expansion of compressed air, but does not include an airgun.
AB649,3 8Section 3. 29.014 (1s) of the statutes is created to read:
AB649,2,119 29.014 (1s) If the department establishes an open season for hunting an animal
10with a firearm, the season shall also be open for hunting that animal with a
11high-powered air rifle or an airbow.
AB649,4 12Section 4 . 29.091 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,313 29.091 (1) No person may hunt or trap within any wildlife refuge established
14under s. 23.09 (2) (b) or 29.621 (1), or, except as provided in sub. (2), have possession
15or control of any gun, firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow, or crossbow unless
16the gun or, firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow is unloaded, the bow or
17crossbow is unstrung, and the gun, firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow, or
18crossbow is enclosed within a carrying case. The taking of predatory game birds and

1animals shall be done as the department directs. All state wildlife refuge boundary
2lines shall be marked by posts placed at intervals of not over 500 feet and bearing
3signs with the words “Wisconsin Wildlife Refuge".
AB649,5 4Section 5 . 29.161 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,65 29.161 (2) A resident small game hunting license authorizes hunting with a
6firearm, airgun, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,6 7Section 6 . 29.164 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,108 29.164 (2) (b) Type of hunting authorized. A license issued under this section
9authorizes hunting with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow,
10or crossbow.
AB649,7 11Section 7. 29.173 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,1312 29.173 (2) (a) A resident deer hunting license authorizes the hunting of deer
13with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,8 14Section 8 . 29.182 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,1715 29.182 (3) (a) A resident elk hunting license authorizes a resident of this state
16to hunt elk with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or
17crossbow.
AB649,9 18Section 9 . 29.182 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,2119 29.182 (3) (b) A nonresident elk hunting license authorizes a nonresident of
20this state to hunt elk with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow,
21or crossbow.
AB649,10 22Section 10 . 29.184 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,3,2423 29.184 (3) (c) Type of hunting authorized. A Class A bear license authorizes
24hunting with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,11 25Section 11 . 29.185 (6) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,4,2
129.185 (6) (a) 1. A firearm or a high-powered air rifle, as authorized under par.
2(b), an airbow, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow.
AB649,12 3Section 12 . 29.185 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,4,84 29.185 (6) (b) Firearms and ammunition. A wolf harvesting license authorizes
5hunting with a rifle, a muzzle-loading firearm, a handgun, a shotgun that fires slugs
6or shotshells, a high-powered air rifle, and any other firearm that is loaded with a
7single slug or ball. A wolf harvesting license authorizes hunting with shot that is
8larger than size BB.
AB649,13 9Section 13 . 29.193 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,4,1610 29.193 (2) (d) 1. A holder of a Class A or Class B permit may be accompanied
11by a person who is not eligible to apply for a Class A or Class B permit. The
12accompanying person may not hunt or carry a firearm, high-powered air rifle,
13airbow,
bow, or crossbow unless that person has been issued the appropriate
14approval to do so. The assistance rendered by an accompanying person who has not
15been issued the appropriate approval is limited to field dressing, tagging, and
16retrieving game for the permit holder.
AB649,4,2317 2. A holder of a Class C permit shall be accompanied by a person who is not
18eligible to apply for a permit under this section. The accompanying person may not
19hunt or carry a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow, or crossbow unless the
20person has been issued the appropriate approval to do so. The assistance rendered
21by an accompanying person may include sighting the firearm, high-powered air
22rifle, airbow,
bow, or crossbow, identifying the game, and field dressing, tagging, and
23retrieving game for the permit holder.
AB649,5,724 3. A holder of a Class D permit may use an adaptive device, as authorized by
25the department by rule, to facilitate the use of a firearm and may be accompanied

1by a person who is not eligible to apply for a permit under this section. The
2accompanying person may not hunt or carry a firearm, high-powered air rifle,
3airbow,
bow, or crossbow unless that person has been issued the appropriate
4approval to do so. The assistance rendered by an accompanying person who has not
5been issued the appropriate approval is limited to field dressing, tagging, and
6retrieving game for the permit holder and any other assistance authorized by the
7department by rule.
AB649,14 8Section 14 . 29.204 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,5,119 29.204 (2) A nonresident annual small game hunting license authorizes
10hunting with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airgun, airbow, bow and arrow, or
11crossbow.
AB649,15 12Section 15 . 29.207 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,5,1413 29.207 (2) A nonresident 5-day small game hunting license authorizes hunting
14with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airgun, airbow, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,16 15Section 16. 29.211 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,5,1816 29.211 (2) Authorization. A nonresident deer hunting license authorizes the
17hunting of deer with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or
18crossbow.
AB649,17 19Section 17 . 29.213 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,5,2220 29.213 (2) A nonresident fur-bearing animal hunting license authorizes
21hunting with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airgun, airbow, bow and arrow, or
22crossbow.
AB649,18 23Section 18 . 29.304 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,5,25 2429.304 (title) Restrictions on hunting and use of firearms,
25high-powered air rifles, and airbows
by persons under 16 years of age.
AB649,19
1Section 19. 29.304 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,6,32 29.304 (1) (a) Prohibition on hunting. No person under 12 years of age may
3hunt with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,20 4Section 20 . 29.304 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,6,135 29.304 (1) (b) Restrictions on possession or control of a firearm, high-powered
6air rifle, or airbow
. No person under 12 years of age may have in his or her possession
7or control any firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow unless he or she is enrolled
8in the course of instruction under the hunter education program and he or she is
9carrying the firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow in a case and unloaded to or
10from that class under the supervision of his or her parent or guardian, or by a person
11at least 18 years of age who is designated by the parent or guardian, or is handling
12or operating the firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow during that class under
13the supervision of an instructor.
AB649,21 14Section 21 . 29.304 (2) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,6,1815 29.304 (2) (b) Restrictions on possession or control of a firearm, high-powered
16air rifle, or airbow
. (intro.) No person 12 years of age or older but under 14 years of
17age may have in his or her possession or control any firearm, high-powered air rifle,
18or airbow
unless he or she:
AB649,22 19Section 22 . 29.304 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,6,2420 29.304 (2) (b) 2. Is enrolled in the course of instruction under the hunter
21education program and is carrying the firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow in
22a case and unloaded to or from that class or is handling or operating the firearm,
23high-powered air rifle, or airbow
during that class under the supervision of an
24instructor.
AB649,23 25Section 23 . 29.304 (3) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,7,4
129.304 (3) (b) Restrictions on possession or control of a firearm, high-powered
2air rifle, or airbow
. (intro.) No person 14 years of age or older but under 16 years of
3age may have in his or her possession or control any firearm, high-powered air rifle,
4or airbow
unless he or she:
AB649,24 5Section 24 . 29.304 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,7,106 29.304 (3) (b) 2. Is enrolled in the course of instruction under the hunter
7education program and is carrying the firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow in
8a case and unloaded to or from that class or is handling or operating the firearm,
9high-powered air rifle, or airbow
during that class under the supervision of an
10instructor; or
AB649,25 11Section 25 . 29.304 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,7,1612 29.304 (5) (a) Notwithstanding subs. (1) to (3), a person 12 years of age or older
13may possess or control a firearm and may hunt with a firearm, high-powered air
14rifle, airbow,
bow and arrow, or crossbow on land under the ownership of the person
15or the person's family if no license is required and if the firing of firearms is permitted
16on that land.
AB649,26 17Section 26 . 29.304 (5) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,7,2218 29.304 (5) (b) 2. The restrictions on the possession and control of a firearm,
19high-powered air rifle, or airbow
under sub. (1) do not apply to a person using a
20firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow in target practice if he or she is
21accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by a person at least 18 years of age
22who is designated by the parent or guardian.
AB649,27 23Section 27. 29.312 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,8,324 29.312 (2) The department may not promulgate or enforce a rule that prohibits
25a person from sighting a firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow on land owned

1or leased by that person or a member of that person's immediate family during the
224-hour period prior to the opening date for hunting deer with firearms in any area
3where there is an open season for hunting deer with firearms.
AB649,28 4Section 28. 29.314 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,8,75 29.314 (3) (a) Prohibition. No person may use or possess with intent to use a
6light for shining deer, elk, or bear while the person is hunting deer, elk, or bear or in
7possession of a firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,29 8Section 29 . 29.314 (3) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,8,119 29.314 (3) (b) 4. To the holder of a Class C permit issued under s. 29.193 (2) (c)
104. who uses a laser sighting device while hunting with a firearm, high-powered air
11rifle, airbow,
bow and arrow, or crossbow.
AB649,30 12Section 30 . 29.314 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,8,1513 29.314 (4) (a) Prohibition. No person may use or possess with intent to use a
14light for shining wild animals while the person is hunting or in possession of a
15firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow and arrow or crossbow.
AB649,31 16Section 31. 29.324 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,8,1917 29.324 (1) (b) “Group deer hunting party" means 2 or more hunters hunting in
18a group all using firearms, high-powered air rifles, or airbows, each of whom holds
19an individual license to hunt deer.
AB649,32 20Section 32. 29.324 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,8,2321 29.324 (1) (c) “Youth deer license" means a license that is issued by the
22department to a person who is under the age of 18 and that authorizes the hunting
23of deer with a firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow.
AB649,33 24Section 33 . 29.592 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,9,4
129.592 (1) (intro.) A person who is at least 10 years of age may hunt in this state
2without obtaining a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.591 and may, while
3hunting, possess or control a firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow if all of the
4following apply:
AB649,34 5Section 34 . 29.592 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,9,96 29.592 (3) A person who is authorized to hunt with a mentor under this section
7and a mentor under this section with whom that person hunts may jointly have only
8one firearm, only one high-powered air rifle, only one airbow, only one bow, or only
9one crossbow in their possession or control while hunting.
AB649,35 10Section 35 . 29.621 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB649,9,1911 29.621 (4) Protection. (intro.) Except as provided in s. 29.091 (1), no owner
12of a wildlife refuge, and no other person, may hunt or trap within the boundaries of
13any wildlife refuge or have in his or her possession or under his or her control in the
14wildlife refuge a gun, firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow, or crossbow,
15unless the gun or, firearm, high-powered air rifle, or airbow is unloaded, the bow or
16crossbow is unstrung, and the gun, firearm, high-powered air rifle, airbow, bow, or
17crossbow is enclosed within a carrying case. This subsection, as it relates to the
18possession or control of a loaded or unencased firearm, does not apply to any of the
19following:
AB649,9,2020 (End)
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