I will post pictures of it once it's finished. Anyways, I was thinking of putting some running gear under it so I could move it from location to location. I heard from some guys at work today that it is illegal to do this. Anybody know if that's true or not? I have never built a box blind before let alone hunted out of one. Just spoiling my daughter.
I checked in the regs, but damned if I can find anything on it. I'll have to check with DNR if guys here can't clear it up.
This damn thing weighs at least 1500 lbs if not more. I don't plan to take it on the highway, just move it around the property and the neighbors,and then only once or twice a year. I want the deer to get used to it before she hunts out of it, so it won't get moved that much.
Sounds like some real clarification is in order.Or common sense has prevailed on the part of our wardens and blinds with attached wheels have not been an issue yet.
Ironhunter - you hit the nail on the head - no motor - no foul.
Just because it has wheels makes absoutely no difference.
For "peace of mind" you may want to"check" with a phone call, but your perfectly legal. Make the call and let the group know.
Ladderstand...you'll look long and hard for a statue that prohibits wheels on your hunting blind...because it doesnt exsist!! You'll find the "motorized vehicle" quickly however.
Good Hunting -
BT
Not again! And this time you want to bet. Here's a tip. Save your money.
Actually Ladder, there is some truth to what your stating!! But ya still can have wheels on your hunting blind!!
Ironhunter was on to something....
Looks like I may have to "eat" a "little" crow as well! I should have been a bit more informative on my original post!! Focus on "motor", gotta think out of the box I guess. Hind sight....
WSS 167.31 "Safe Transportation of firearms and bows"
WSS 167.31 (1)(h): "vehicle has the meaning defined in WSS 340.01(74)"
WSS 340.01 (74) "Vehicle" means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except railroad trains. A snowmobile or electric personal assistive mobility device shall not be considered a vehicle except for purposes made specifically applicable by statue".
By reviewing this statue, you can "clearly" see that "wheels" are not mentioned, implied, but clearly not mentioned. HOWEVER, after review, the statue is open to interuptation.
Can a "hay wagon" be a vehicle? Looks like it here. Could ole' GUNNY'S blind be a vehicle? Could be!
Then you look at WSS 340.01(35).
It's lengthy but states a motor vehicle means a vehicle which is self propelled. Intresting read!
So all in all, here's the skinny.....
To be absolutely - positively - 100% within the confines of the law. My personal advise would be:
As long as GUNNY removes his tow bar or rope to move his wheeled blind he's LEGAL. He can move it all over his farm with his truck, ATV or the nieghbors horse if he likes.
As soon as he hunts in it, first remove the rope or tow bar and he's golden. It no longer meets the "definition" in 340.01(74).
One other tip Ladderstand.
You are better off making a call to your District Attorney for YOUR County, than Mr. Lutz in Madison.
Your DA IS the "Chief Law Enforcement Officer" for your County and will be the decision maker as to what is and what is not, prosecuted.
So all in all, within the spirit of debate. There was "some" truth to what you were bantering!!
Let's call it a draw!!!
Good Hunting!!!
That being said, regulations state that, "All fire arms must be unloaded and completely enclosed.....when in or on any vehicle whether moving or stationary"
Also, "All bows/crossbows must be unstrung or enclosed within a case when in or on a vehicle...."
Now where he differed from Bloodtrails explanation, is that, it doesn't matter if you remove a tow bar, truck or ATV. It is still a "vehicle".
He suggested removing one wheel to render it not movable, as stated earlier by dukore, or jacking it up off the wheels. He wanted me to make sure it would still be safe to be in though.
I got the impression, that he wanted to tell me, "Just hunt out of the damn thing!" He kept saying he would use common sense, but had to tell me the letter of the law.
He was very professional and thanked me for calling. Also thanked me for taking a kid out hunting.
Now,...how the hell does one achieve blaze orange, 144" visible 360 degrees!!!!
I wish I would have never started this blind!
About noon a warden walks up and asked if I knew how many laws I was breaking ? He spotted me a mile away . I told him if I thought I was breaking any laws I wouldn't do it , I play by the rules .
He told me to park that thing before it falls over and have a nice hunt .
That's a gimme-
You wrote:
"Now you might very well be able to fight it in court and get it dropped but that still doesnt change the fact that they can issue you a ticket"
Why is that specfic to what we are talking about? That's true with every potential violation, not just the current topic.
Like I said - remove the drawbar or rope you use to move it and your perfectly legal. READ the statue. IF you cannot tow/move the thing on the road without it, AND if you cannot tow/move it - it doesnt meet the definition of the statue. It cannot be "transported or drawn upon a hughway". Simple.
I guess my wife's 4 wheel garden cart is a vehicle - come on!!lol
Like Gunny did, I made a call, but to the District Warden Supervisor. And like Gunny I was told the very same thing. He agreed with me however that if the vehicle could not be towed, it wouldnt meet the statue. He stressed making sure that nothing motorized was attached.
Butcher is right...applies only to state land. (blaze orange).
There is not a DA in Wisconsin that would prosecute someone (Gunny and his daughter) for simply hunting out of Gunny's rig.
One needs to ask themselves "What is the intent of the law". And it is certainly not the intent of WSS 167.31 to cite folks for hunting in box blinds with wheels in a cornfield.
You do what you need to do to feel comfortable hunting with what YOU feel is legal.
Ladder - If you see those two wardens you spoke of with the pedal bike citations, ask them what they think their prosecution sucess rate on a scale of 1-10 would be. Unbelievable PR nightmare I would think!! Many turkey hunters use their Mt. bikes every year to hunt spring gobblers in Wicosnin. (Myself included)- Havent heard of one cited yet.
Gunny - I think it's a great idea for you and your daughter. I hope you follow through (on the blind) and have some very memorable hunts together.
Best of Luck!!
BT
No, I have not been checked on my bike. And to be honest it's been a few years. I recently bought a new Mt. Bike so perhaps I will be checked. If and when I am, I'll be sure to let ya know Ladder.
Good Hunting and stay safe!
Mike
Your comparison to a bike is silly at best. A bike is a vehicle. Albeit, not a motor vehicle, but it can still propel itself.
The other problem with this is that it cannot be transported upon a highway.
I had a warden tell me the same thing. Common sense says I wouldn't ticket you, but I cannot speak for other wardens. Therefore, to be safe from interpretation, the rules should be followed. I asked about a blind on a hay wagon. The wheels buried in mud, and the bearings likely rusted. His reply was technically.....you cannot put a blind on it, but....I wouldn't ticket you, but....another warden may?
In my opinion, there are a lot of rules that have grey areas. Often, it is because we are trying to cross the line, but sometimes it's because they need wiggle room.
I've since sold this rolling blind.
