Northern zone WI opener- Does this spot meet concealment laws?

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
Hauled boat up next to a real tiny island in th middle of a stream. Here's a couple pics from different angles. Legal?

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I went out this morning to see if I couldn't scare up a few ducks. Got to the landing early enough and saw no other vehicles. Good deal. Got the boat launched, loaded up and set off to the hunting spot. Everything was going great until I got out about 3/4 mile from the launch when I hit a solid wall of fog. One second it was clear and the next I socked in. I figured I had another 3/4 till I got to the huntingspot and I was headed in the right direction when I hit the wall so I just slowed down and kept on going straight. The fog was so thick I couldn't see even a foot in any direction. Very scary feeling. I was hoping that if there was anyone else on the water that they had lights on their boat cause I wasn't going to see them evenn going at putt putt speed.

I keep going and the motor started hitting bottom. That's odd cuase it is at least 3 feet deep where I was going. It was getting shallower still so I tilted the motor up and kept going. All of a sudden there was land right in front of me. I got out of the boat and tried to shine the spotlight around me to fiure out where I was. No luck. I thought I knew so I hopped back in the boat and took off for where I wanted to be. Nothing but fog - everywhere. Still couldn't see. I was all turned around. I picked a direction and just went straight until I hit shore. I then followed shore around until I knew exactly where I was and then eventualy got to the hunting spot only to find someone right where I wanted to be. Guys says he saw me bot right by him on his dock as he was loading the boat and then I disappeared into the fog. I would have had this spot if I hadn't got turned around. I went upstream about 500 yards and found a spot where I thought I could hunt. I couldn't believe how strong the current was. Got set up and put out just a fwe decoys as there wasn't really much room in the fast moving stream.

By the end of the day I had filled out my bag with a variety of ducks. Everytime I knocked a bird down I had to go running to pick it up before the stream carried it away from me. Great day to be out in the swamp.

Same spot different angle. From what I read in the rules, I should be within what the regulations say is legal. I think.

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Mark W

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Nope, looks like you will go straight to jail with that set up. Just kidding, but I couldn't resist after seeing the WI DNR regs and photos about the subject. I would hope their wardens would have a lot more important things to do but you never know with some game cops.
Glad you had a good hunt.
 
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unfortunately I don't think your spot is legal under the new rules. The vegetation has to be emergent as I understand it. It looks to me like you have a bush or tree growing from a small island. Don't know if its still there but during the debates the DNR had pics on their site of what was and wasn't legal. On one pic that showed what was NOT allowed was a boat pulled tight to the bank that had trees and grass growing on it. While the vegetation covered the boat, it was not EMERGENT vegetation and therefore illegal.


Just my opinion and a good example of why the law as written is very confusing and stupid .

Dave B
 
were you in the boat when you where shooting? if so Illegal. if you where sitting on that island with the boat pulled up, then no problems. Absurd isn't it.
 
I think they imported politicians from nj for that law........You think thats bad you ought to read our deer regs. That law us definitly defferent. Chris
 
The tall blind boats do have a lot less to hunt. A sneak or skiff are going to be the ticket for more spots to hunt .But you said it was an island so it has solid ground ' the 100' rule could apply. 100' whether natural or man made . As told to me by a warden.
 
From my read of that crazy, screwed up regulation (BTW, someone needs to get a ticket and fight this regulations IMHO) your set up is illegal there but perfectly legal if it was across the stream against those cattails in the background.
 
Mark, I like Pats' take on it. Was it an island? First glance I thought it looked bad but if it was solid land the 100' rule may work. Looks like you get the traveler after me again this year. Maybe I won't get a Wisc duck stamp this year, WTH????? I'll read up on the Wisc regs this week.
 
Mark I think you are legal. You are in a stream and can shoot to both banks this is legal. On larger bodies of water I would interpret it to be illegal but I am not a judge.
 
If the boat is pulled up on the shore abit and not floating does it change anything? You are with in the 3' foot rule. ??? I'd think you were leagle. This is getting absurd! And the DNR wonders whey we have less hunters every year.
 
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