Bowsite.com

Yes, Wisconsin has it's share of issues, along with the rest of the United States. Until you start paying taxes here and voting on who makes the budgets, and runs things, please keep your nose out of our mess. You have enough of them up there north of the border....

It doesn't matter where you are from, but it does matter where you live and are registered to vote. For instance, I can not vote on any issues that affect my hunting in Canada and by your profile you don't have a vote on who writes the budgets, sets the hunting rules, etc. here in Wisconsin

Oh, and BTW, I am not Duke, and he is not me,

As for the original posted topic - the warden reallocation is trouble for the parks and for wildlife enforcement in general. Wardens are going to spend too much time driving to and from parks. I think that the group 'Sportsman for Scott Walker' will be underfunded and without much support during this falls election cycle. Just like he is leaving the DNR, underfunded and without support.

No disrespect but I find it funny that majority of posters are or were State employees?

Walker will surely get my vote as this state has never been better fiscally and I'm sorry but although extremely important to me, hunting and the outdoors isn't everything. IMO Most unions don't like him for one reason only and I working with the union everyday am glad he did what he did. I'm sure there are a great many State employees that work hard for their pay. But I'm also very very sure there are senior employees that don't work and protected for their laziness. I can share a ton of grievances I have attended that were a joke to even bring to a grievance only to lose and paying that employee. Again, I mean no disrespect to anyone in particular.

Scotty must be dumping his neighbors trash in the water also? To much trash for one man. Very very Canadian like response. Happy Hunting to everyone.

Suggestion on AG looked into = all about money.

Amazon killing smaller stores and sending them out of business= all about money

Canada legalizing weed = all about money

Buckjabber = someone that uses other name with identical IP addresses. (Russians tipped me off)

Overtime and travel expenses...not to mention lodging?

This is so unbelievable.

So, lets get rid of our State Park Rangers. Oppps!!! Now who's going to patrol our parks?

I got it!!

Conservation Wardens....they don't have much to do anyways!!

This State would be BIG money ahead, if someone had enough sense to fund Park patrols through local Sheriff's Offices in the State. When everyone is "off-duty" in the Parks and there is a call for service - who answers it? Sheriff's Office!! Hello!

Granted, not every Sheriff's Office has the personnel, but the few that don't could be supplemented with WDNR wardens if need be.

This would be a HUGE savings and free up the Wardens to do the job we expect them to do, protecting the fine folks of WI and our Natural Resources!

I do think he's been terrible though in regard to hunting. He was the one that signed xbows into law even though the "Sportsmen for Walker" voted against them every time. Money won. But then again, the resident know-it-all who is infatuated with wearing women's skirts took personal financial gains over the wishes of the people he represented and voted for crossbows too. One would expect a politician to take the cash. Money won.

I agree with much that has been listed in regard to our lakes, rivers, and streams here.

I'll vote for Walker again due to the financial reasons unless I would be wowed by someone else focusing on the natural resources, hunting, fishing, etc, in WI.

The DNR still operates on a fixed budget set by the legislature. Increased license, trail, and camping fees do not effect the DNR operating budget. The DNR has never been about money, but the legislature sure is.

The people using the parks were insured of a quick response for safety issues, if they arise. also a lot of mundane work, that needed to be completed on a daily basis, to keep the parks running well was accomplished. Presently it is a morale killer for wardens, and I for one, would not no part of it, as a full time warden.

I understand, BT point, but I was on a panel once, on this topic, and the Sheriff Dept, just do not have the manpower, but always would respond if needed for a crisis situation.........

I think in the long run, the savings they are going to see, are not worth it. Also they need to start over on their reorganization, it is not working.

On the other hand, the job of state park rangers is also not to be heavy handed either, and public relations and social skills is a must, when dealing with campers etc, and also a ranger was a representative of the state. If I was in charge, I would have run the ranger program, a little different, because it needed some tweaking......

I think a change will come, how that will come I have no idea, but they killed a good program. I would have just reorganized the ranger program, and I would save money, I would give good service, and the rangers would be well thought of, if I was in charge.

The Ranger Program in this State had suffered for a long time and was an accident waiting to happen. Poor management and lack of authoritative control haunted the program for years. Many good men and women served in that capacity and moved on to better jobs and a more stable environment.

We use LTE Sheriff's deputies for general road patrol, parks and recreational enforcement (ATV/Snowmobile/Boat) - they do it all.

Sheriff's Departments that don't have the funding? The funding is paid for by the State of Wisconsin for recreational programs.

LTE staff works at a smaller wage scale and there are no benefits included in the package - so you, the Wisconsin taxpayer, do get a bigger bang for your buck. County taxpayers benefit as well because often, full time shift work can be filled with an LTE for sick leave or vacation. Full timers love it, they get the much needed time off, taxpayers benefit as they protection is still there and they get a price break. The employee only wants a part time job and is able to make the hours fit into his/her schedule.

Most every Sheriff's Office has an LTE program or "Reserve" unit and many folks out there would love the hours and experience.

The State would reimburse for hours and mileage on squads. They would fund any equipment needed to facilitate enforcement in State parks as well.

Currently, the State WDNR funds and reimburses Sheriff's Offices across the State for Boat Patrol, ATV Patrol and Snowmobile Patrol. Why not parks?

There isn't any reason why they cannot and should not reimburse for park patrols!

Taking full time Conservation Wardens and putting them in a park is ....(I'll hold my tongue).

Ground Hunter, I would have loved to have been on the panel you spoke of!

Well trained and skilled at law enforcement. Each one graduates from the academy and is State certified. Each one has a minimum (at LEAST) (State Required) 60 college credits. (Several have 4 year degrees)

On top of that....each one, EACH one has completed a 12 week FTO (Field Training Officer) program. Not everyone makes that!

Our major trouble is keeping hold of them. They become quite marketable and sometimes leave for full time employment.

Some of our LTE staff is retired sheriff's deputies, retired Local PD and State Troopers - and you said "no experience?" Some are retired full time that have come back to make some extra cash! No Experience - Your kidding right?

I have been around a long time. Every LTE or "Reserve" program I have come across has been "cracker jack". I have been impressed with programs in Eau Claire County and Cark County especially. Waukesha County had a excellent program as well. I couldn't tell the full timers from the part timers.

GoJakesGo...I don't know what County your speaking of, but if your so unimpressed and distraught to say someone "sucks" - perhaps you should have a "chit-chat" with your local Sheriff? Perhaps ask why his program operates in "your" opinion so poorly? I would think as a "taxpayer" you would like to see your money well spent?

Overall, the LTE/Reserve units I have encountered have been "top notch".

Dedicated men and woman doing an important job for not nearly enough pay OR recognition!

The State could SAVE money by tapping into this resource!

Shaking my head!

Ya make a good point!

I'm thinking poor management. BUT, they could be just fielding calls....

Years ago, management came up with the idea that they would disband the LTE program in our County. As I recall apparently it was allegedly to cumbersome and thought we could cover it with OT.

Needless to say, that didn't last long at all.

It was a short amount of time that lapsed and bingo bongo, were back at the LTE program filling shifts on the road, jail and communications.

FINALLY, the WDNR is seeing this as a benefit as they are now advertising for "Deputy Warden" around that State, PT people with law enforcement credentials that assist the fulltime Warden with his/her duties, freeing up that Warden for more important issues.

Of course, then we decide to put them in the Parks.

Shaking my head!

The scary part is it was such and OBVIOUS failure who in the hell would have signed on to that?

Well lets see what happens.

Part of the BIG problem was State Forest managers were in charge of the Rangers.

Now the Department has the chance to restructure and fix what was broken so we do not go back to our old ways!

The managers had absolutely NO idea about anything to do with law enforcement and they supervised these people. Hello?

Hopefully they restructure that so a LE person oversees a "district" or area and we don't go back to our old ways!

Wardens can get back to what they now do best - protecting our natural resources!

Hopefully we will move forward and develop as well as "maintain", a Ranger program that is effective, managed properly and a huge benefit to the recreating pubic!