Qeustionon boat registration

Mark W

Well-known member
I don't think this has been asked before.

I have 3 duckboats. Poke Boat is 12' long, Lund Ducker is 12' long and the Hoefgen is 15" long. Lund Ducker Boat I registered this past season in MN as it never had a VIN and I wanted to create one which required registration.

In MN, if a boat is used only for duck hunting purposes (don't know if this includes scouting or not), one is not required to register any boat if it is used solely for duck hunting. In Wisconsin, the rules are different where boats need to be registered. I hunt both States with all boats.

My question is, if I hunt with the Hoefgen or Poke boat in WI, does it need to be registered? I can't believe it would need to be or one would have to follow every States particular rules on boat registration when hunting that State. If stopped by a CO in WI, and they question why no registration, can I say these are MN boats which require no registration?

For reference I have both a jetski and runabout registered in MN which are legal to use on Wisconsin waters if the boats are primarily used in MN. Both are used primarily in WI but how would anyone know the number of days they are used in either State? Where is the old timer (can't recall his name) who was a lawyer in Texas to answer these questions.

We did get questioned by the CO in MN on opener as to why our kayaks were not registered. He came from another State and was new to the area. We pointed out the MN regs said no boat used for duck hunting in MN needed to be registered. He learned something new.

And, for us old timers. I also learned that once one reaches 65 in MN, one is no longer required to purchase a State Waterfowl (and other stamps). Is this the same where you all hunt?

Mark
 
My question is, if I hunt with the Hoefgen or Poke boat in WI, does it need to be registered? I can't believe it would need to be or one would have to follow every States particular rules on boat registration when hunting that State.

Registration not required​

What is not required to be registered in Wisconsin:

  • Nonmotorized boats (non-sailboats).
  • Nonmotorized sailboats 12 feet in length or less.
  • Boats registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days.
  • Boats operated under the authority of a temporary operating receipt, no greater than 60 days from the date of application and payment. The temporary operating receipt must be carried onboard.
  • Boats from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of the state.
  • A military or public boat of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels.
  • A boat whose owner is a state or subdivision of a state, which is used principally for governmental purposes, and which is clearly identifiable.
  • A ships lifeboat.
  • Boats present in this state, for a period of not to exceed 10 days, for the express purpose of competing in a race conducted under a permit from a municipality or an authorized agency of the U.S. government.
 
And, for us old timers. I also learned that once one reaches 65 in MN, one is no longer required to purchase a State Waterfowl (and other stamps). Is this the same where you all hunt?
No break for Iowa seniors, still must purchase the $11.50 state migratory stamp/fee. We do qualify for lifetime hunting, fishing and trout.
 

Registration not required​

What is not required to be registered in Wisconsin:

  • Nonmotorized boats (non-sailboats).
  • Nonmotorized sailboats 12 feet in length or less.
  • Boats registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days.
  • Boats operated under the authority of a temporary operating receipt, no greater than 60 days from the date of application and payment. The temporary operating receipt must be carried onboard.
  • Boats from a country other than the United States temporarily using the waters of the state.
  • A military or public boat of the United States, except recreational-type public vessels.
  • A boat whose owner is a state or subdivision of a state, which is used principally for governmental purposes, and which is clearly identifiable.
  • A ships lifeboat.
  • Boats present in this state, for a period of not to exceed 10 days, for the express purpose of competing in a race conducted under a permit from a municipality or an authorized agency of the U.S. government.
So it looks like the Hoefgen (15') that will probably be using a mini mud motor has to be registered somewhere. What is still muddy to my cheap ,id is the Hoefgen is not required to be registered in MN as it is only used for duck hunting. Guess I may have to find the cheapest place to register it.

Thanks Dave

Mark

So being an older fart than e, are you still required to purchase a State waterffowl stamp. I don't mind spending the $7.50 to support duck hunting but found it interesting.
 
No idea in in the Midwest, but people in Maine and New Hampshire get tickets all the time because they stick a cheap electric motor on the canoe or rowboat at the dock in front of camp (that's "cabin" or "lake house" for you midwesterners) for a booze cruise. They get the unregistered boat citation, and depending on what they blow for a BAC, sometimes operating under the influence. Any motor requires a registration.
 
No idea in in the Midwest, but people in Maine and New Hampshire get tickets all the time because they stick a cheap electric motor on the canoe or rowboat at the dock in front of camp (that's "cabin" or "lake house" for you midwesterners) for a booze cruise. They get the unregistered boat citation, and depending on what they blow for a BAC, sometimes operating under the influence. Any motor requires a registration.
I have another boat at the cabin to do the old "booze cruise". And its registered. In MN instead of WI but believe to be technically within the rules.
 
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