by Greg Koelker
Money money MONeey! I think it’s always a good idea for outdoors types to check out this year’s Wisconsin DNR and Conservation Congress Spring Hearings questions. There is a whole herd of questions asking opinions on raising more money to support the departments. I’m not saying something shouldn’t be done; it has been a long time since hunting, fishing, and trapping fees have been raised. Take a look at the questions and you decide, vote online or at the county-wide hearings held April 13. Voting online is open April 13-15.
There are explanations before each question, but here are a few that stood out to me:
Do you support increasing hunting, fishing, and trapping fees to account for the 66% inflation rate over the last 22 years to bring back the levels of funding for: wildlife management, fisheries management, and/or conservation law enforcement activities to bring the levels of funding in line with current economic conditions?
Do you support a one-time increase in hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees to address the current budget shortfall, making license fees more comparable to other midwestern states, with legislation that would establish smaller increases bi-annually based on the annual rate of inflation subject to approval by the Natural Resources Board and the Joint Finance Committee?
Do you support increasing hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees by 75% to support wildlife management, fisheries management, and conservation law enforcement activities?
Trout fishermen take notice:
Do you support a $6 increase to the inland waters trout stamp (from $10 to $16), which has not changed since 2006?
There are questions related to closing fishing refuges on the Mississippi, hunting bobcats at night, reducing bird kill from windmills, spearing catfish, licensing non-motorized watercraft, reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, tracking and harrying bothersome wolves with hounds, ammunition that is legal for deer hunting, elk permits, and more. If you are a consumer of outdoor activities in Wisconsin, I’d bet a cup of coffee there will be something for you to vote on.
Anyway, you have less than a week to read and decide and vote.
The questions are online for all to see here
Until next time, get out – if you drive, you know that gasoline is up over a buck a gallon since February. I mean, the price of oil skyrocketed and gasoline jumped right up behind it. But now that the price of oil has plummeted, I gotta ask will the price of gasoline plummet too? If you believe that, I have a bridge I’d like to sell you at Lansing, Iowa. Wait. What? You say that bridge was blown up and down last year. Ohhhkay…I’ll get back to you on that.
Pray for peace.
Greg Koelker is a lifelong resident of the Driftless region along the Mississippi River. He is the acclaimed author of the “Grouse Hollow Journal,” a column that celebrates rural life, nature, family heritage, and the traditions that bind communities together. While technically focused on the “outdoors,” his writing often explores broader themes of community values and education.
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