I met a new guy I will be hunting with, we hit it off well, most hard core hunters do, and he was telling me all of the harassment he gets in Dane Co during season.
He is a big waterfowler hunter, and on various lakes and waterways, he said organized antis come out, and do all they can, to make sure to disturb his hunts. From the blue hair weirdos, to mom and the kids, he said you would not believe it.
His request of enforcement both from the DNR and County SO, has fallen on deaf ears, he has been told, unofficially, that the law on the book, will not be enforced in Dane CO, per supervision.
Have you ever experienced this, I have not, I have never seen it, but of course I live in another world where I am most of the time....
Seems to me, the law should be enforced, no matter where you are,,,,,,,,,,
BG - he is not going to do that,,,,,,, his brother is a state trooper, in a different part of the state, so he respects the law.....
He just does not respect it in Dane CO
Personally, I have never experienced any harassment but I never hunted Dane Co..
Sounds fishy. Where is this hunting taking place? Surely not remote spots most waterfowlers hunt.
"His request of enforcement both from the DNR and County SO, has fallen on deaf ears, he has been told, unofficially, that the law on the book, will not be enforced in Dane CO, per supervision."
Would love to hear who he talked to. Am not buying it. I don't care what county. If this happened, the media/NRB would hear about who I contacted and who "unofficially" said what.
It also wouldn't hurt contact Secretary Stepp directly and asking her if she condones those types of partisan applications of the law.
You can go on facebook and see much about it. The WI wolf patrol page seems to have been taken down. But the wolf patrol page remains. Just scroll down through the garbage. You will see many postings of vids, and such. Clearly showing some of the harassment.
All forms of hunting are seeing hunters being harassed to some degree in this state. Yet very rarely is anything done about it.
Keep in mind though. As soon as you retaliate in any way. Expect the hammer to be dropped on you!!
I mentioned on here last fall that new 'hunters' leasing the neighbors 40 had placed mineral and bait blocks under their stand - about 10 yards from our fenceline. We are in the south so no baiting allowed PERIOD. Warden was notified, came in opening day, and got both 'hunters' for illegally hunting over bait AND not wearing their backtags - Fines probably totaled about $600 each?
They pulled the stand right on our fenceline so we figured they left. About a month later they were back out hunting, though, so they just moved their stands deeper into neighbors land. I got a new outdoor woodstove to feed so I was cutting wood on our land. My two brothers came in to hang a stand so they stopped and talked to me a few minutes.
The "hunters" took offense to us making so much noise and called the warden to bust us for hunter harassment. Says we were making all kinds of racket and talking so it messed up their hunt. Needless to say, their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Funny thing is, my brother hunted that stand (pretty close to the fenceline) the night of the 'harassment' and saw a dandy 10pt - both on ours AND jumped the fence over onto the neighbors land. Never got quite close enough for a shot. I guess we must not have done a very good job boogering the area and scaring all the deer away!! (I shot it about a month later and it grossed 148 - my second largest bow kill.)
I do take issue with PWC operators raising hell on the water when I'm fishing. They're either drunk or teenage idiots. Sometimes both.
I will say one thing, coyote hunting, fowl, deer or small game......there is always a few people that freak out because they think they are cute and friendly. One lady we yote hunt around owns some land, we do not go on it or even ask but if you bino from the road when she has a yote crossing her land she calls the sheriff every time. They pretty much stopped coming now but she comes out and harasses you to no end. I usually act like she is not there and it drives her nuts. As soon as the yote crosses the fence line....we are onto the next property which we have permission.
That being said the story sounds kind of fishy.
Searched keywords hunter harassment waterfowl Dane County and came across a warden report where warden Jake Donar of Madison investigated and gave out a citation for hunter harassment but it didn't say what for. Also same report said warden Kyle Dilley received a complaint of waterfowlers shooting from a motorized boat on Rock Lake. One citation issued.
I know nothing of Dane Co. I can tell you this is a pretty laid back guy, from what I have seen, a quality hunter...
Since I will be chaseing snows with him for 2 or 3 weeks from SD to the Canadian border, I am sure we will get to know each other real well,,,,,,,,
But if I thought for one minute he was a goof, I would not be going....
Now, he could have had one bad experience, who knows.
Truth be told, Madison is pretty liberal, but get out of the city and the rest of Dane County is pretty conservative. A lot of good people live here that enjoy the outdoors and enjoy hunting. BC
Your in the liberal nest down there....there is vengeance for electing Walker on all libs minds they hate hunters for our support. ... from not plowing the curb by school pick up areas to dumping tar on the roads the week school starts... to unplowed roads...not salting or sanding intersections... and now to liberal law enforcement...
when the president only enforces some of the laws.. Hunter harassment by libs is extremely small potatoes... Best way to handle it is by yourself..
I have been dealing with antics from the same jack wagons for 2 years. Nothing has been done. Guarantee you there will be more problems this year. Have my doubts anything will be done. More likely to be an altercation in the forest from it. These guys are known poachers, and drug users as well. Would think something would be done. Especially before it comes to blood shed. The LEO's know this is a very realistic possibility. Preventing it does not seem to be a priority.
Have had people in the past lighting off firecrackers when they know you are in stand. People walking in intentionally every time on stand. Tires slashed, windows broken, followed around. People screaming at you. Blocking of roads, False police reports. Just a bunch of garbage over the years. Never once have I seen any of them charged with anything.
See intentional harassment all the time on the water as well. Which just don't make any sense at all. Water skiers, pwc's, and even pleasure boaters at times. Repeatedly driving past you for the fun of it. Best one a few years back. Set a great example for a bunch of kids. As the adult with a few kids in boat pulling one of those big banana tubes. Made circles around several of us. Chanting make the fishermen mad.
One individual lately had even been making death threats to people all over the US. Dont believe it? Want to see it? Go check out the facebook page wolf and coyote killers wall of shame. Trolling for your harvest pics, posting them and making threats.
You would not believe how many times last year. I got harassed just for walking a dog. Couple times a week getting yelled at. Started walking them at daybreak just to avoid an people at all. One guy even pulled over with the intent to cause harm. The bully tucked tail and run when I didn't back down from him. Tore up a guys yard turning around when he left, then came off the road at me as he left. Got a nice dent in the quarter panel of his new truck for it. Yes, should have called the law. However, I'm sure I would have got a charge for it as well. Just the way it works most of the time.
Again I am amazed so many find harassment hard to believe!
I have never seen or heard about anyone being harassed for walking a dog. I don't think that happens here in Dane County.
If you are having harassment issues get the video camera out and keep it rolling. Record date/time/location/eye witnesses/etc, keep good records. It would be very hard for any dept not to take notice with that kind of evidence.
Isn't Bloodtrail a Police Officer? I wish he would comment about being told what laws to enforce and what law not to enforce. BC
The guys that have been causing issues for 2 yrs for me, are fellow hunters. Mostly they are mad because I wont hunt with them anymore. For many reasons, but the final straw was killing my dog in a gruesome way.
I could not figure out the whole dog walking thing either. The guy the stopped didnt like the fact I was on the side of the road. Rather than the multi million dollar bike trail. In the gravel, and in no way impeding traffic or breaking a law. I left the trail to go around other users of the bike trail. The rest were just people mad because dogs were being walked on the bike trail. Which is a daily occurence.
The rest of the stuff is random things I hear about. Some has happened to me in the past.
Using dogs am always a target for problems. Regardless if I am doing nothing wrong. Just using dogs I am evil incarnate.
With fishing we all have learned to stay away from the more tourist used lakes. Too much crazy on them.
Yes, I do carry a camera not at all times. I get approached by anyone it gets turned on. Can even turn it on from a distance with my GPS. Almost always a dash cam now. SHould not have to be that way, but better safe than sorry. Putting hidden cameras on a lot of baits to start this year. Just to catch a few of these guys jerking around. Then I can really press the issue.
Stinks that we have to deal with stuff like this. So much easier for all to work together.
"I believe that some people, for whatever reason, attract problems. We all know them. They are always faced with some sort of issue, dilemma, a confrontation, some sort of drama is always going on in their lives. I guy that used to work for me had more work and personal issues in one month that I did my whole life. I am twice his age. I could never figure it out."
You said a mouthful there my friend - so true!
Been hunting over 35 years and have yet to experience a problem in the woods, field or water!
That being said......maybe I am just lucky. Hunter harassment is very real and exist across the State in many different forms.
Feel you have been a victim of hunter harassment? Follow these tips and you should experience smoother sailing in your case.
If approached - always be polite - do everything not to escalate the situation! Remember your in the right...don't turn that around.
Everyone of us have cell phones with cameras and video. USE IT! A picture/video speaks a thousand words! Document as much as you can - license plates are great - boat registration, ATV/Snowmobile registration as well. My cell phone also has a tape reciorder built in! Cool!
When dealing with law enforcement always request to write a statement. Have the officer/deputy/warden provide you with a business card (his/her name) and if assigned.....the case number for reference.
Check often with the officer to see what has happened or will happen with your case. Politely let them know your serious and want something done.
Follow up...follow up and follow up!
If your not happy with the outcome have the officer explain his/her thinking on your case. Still not happy? See a supervisor for an explanation!
Still not happy? See the supervisors.....supervisor!
County Sheriff's Offices (WDNR/Police) across the State are strapped for enough people to answer all the calls for service without a doubt - that does not mean that you should be ignored or put off.
Sometimes you yourself have to play detective in cases like trespassing! Deer cams hidden....are your best defense and your only limited to your imagination! There's not enough cops to go around so you yourself sometimes need to get "the goods" on these bananas.
Documentation is HUGE. Help the police help you! You don't have to do their job....just make it a bit easier for them to do their job and you will reap the sweet smell of success more often than not!
Are their cases when some folks have been blown off. Unfortunately I believe there has been.
But stay vigilant - work with law enforcement and be polite....but persistent!
When dealing with suspected violators - cool heads prevail - don't escalate the incident - but document the snot out of it all the time being non-confrontational - it will serve you best in the end!
Good luck!
I fish, and have fished some of the most entertaining places in this state. Very common to be anchored casting distance to shore. Then have varies forms of watercraft come ripping by on plane. Between you and shore! Common to be anchored anywhere and the same within 100ft. Sometimes repeatedly with intent. Good times good times.
Some places when we head for them. We call it combat fishing. I can leave it at that alone. The term will inspire found memories for many. Many of the actions are repeated, and intentional to interfere.
Hunting is not on the same scale though. With the diversity of the areas hunted. One so many people in those areas. Some of the conflicts that are harassment may be termed in another way. Far more conflict in general on public lands in general. That's where the real entertainment is. Every, tom, dick, and mary. Is not going to be running about on most private lands to cause issues.
Most things can be just ignored. Make you shake your head, and laugh. Most of the time get to share the public areas with some great people.
Come to think of it...I had a tip up ran over once on Winnebago by a snowmobile...other than that...been pretty peaceful.
You live in a much less populated area than I Steve - seems to be a lot of problems up there.
Bottom line - law enforcement is over worked and not nearly enough to go around. Pplay it smart - help them help you -
29.083(2)(a) Interfere with lawful fishing (F-46)($0-$1147.50) 100.00 26.00 137.50 75.00 5.00 $343.50
29.083(2)(a) Interfere with lawful hunting (I-30)($0-$1147.50) 100.00 26.00 137.50 75.00 5.00 $343.50
29.083(2)(a) Interfere with lawful trapping (T-25)($0-$1147.50) 100.00 26.00 137.50 75.00 5.00 $343.50
29.083(2)(b)
Knowingly fail to obey law enforcement officer's
order not to interfere (M-58) (0-$2152.50)
200.00 52.00 137.50 150.00 5.00 $544.50
However if you look at sub-section (4) you will see that the court may also issue an "injunction" against the defendant AND this sub section also allows for you to seek civil damages against the defendant!
"The circuit court may award damages to the plaintiff if the defendant's conduct in violation of sub. (2)(a) has adversely affected the plaintiff. The damages awarded may include punitive damages and any special damages. Special damages may include approval fees, travel costs, camping fees, costs for guides, and costs for equipment or supplies to the extent that the plaintiff did not receive the full value of any of these expenditures due to the unlawful conduct of the defendant."
There's plenty of "meat on the bone" for the hunter harassment law in the State in my opinion.
Yes, a less populated are. However, obviously huge vacation area. 2nd homes, vacation homes, or cottages. Whatever you want to call it. A lot of temporary folks around all year. Many of the lakes get crazy up here. Fishing some of them in the summer is asking for trouble.
People get bear baits messed with every year. Is that not harassment? Happens all over bear country every year. By far the federal forests see much more of it. Some people have even put man traps out to try to thwart some of it. Stupid yes, but it gets done.
People seem to act differently at times when on vacation.
All LEO's have a tough job. Wardens in general have it rough. Only a handful to cover huge areas. I don't know of one that wears a cape. They can only do so much. 3000 lakes, plus rivers, stream, and millions of acres of hunting land up here. Even Superman would have his hands full!
I have a good friend with land bordering the far south, southeast park boundaries and struck a deal with him for the next season should the whack-jobs decide to replicate such tactics.
Was gonna look them up and move into the woods striving to lure them in with me. Armed with compass and topo map, I hoped to lead them a merry trek all the way to my buddy's posted property. With pre-arranged permission to enter his land "they" would be left with two options; either follow me and accept the subsequent trespass citations...or...endeavor to find their way back on their own...which would be hilarious.
Sadly, the next year they chose not to come back. Bummer...it would've been fun.
He then dropped his rather large pack and used a climber to "hunt" the rest of the day. The antis sat around his stand singing and carrying on without so much as a peep out of their target for the entire day.
With darkness looming, the hunter descended with his new "friends" anxiously waiting for him to lead them out.
Rather than head out, the hunter opened that large pack, set up a one man tent and sleeping bag, set up a one burner camp stove, and started preparing his dinner.
The crazies went exactly that...stating "he" had to lead them back to their cars. Sorry, nope...with total darkness setting in, temps dropping, and pleas for salvation and some of his hot soup falling on deaf ears they finally departed on their own.
The hunter said he never found out how they wound up...didn't care...and was never harassed again.