Wisconsin folks. New Zone change proposal.

Andrew L.

Andrew L.

Well-known member
I know there are a few from WI on here and I am looking for everyones feedback. The previous U-shaped zone is being thrown out and there are 3 new options to consider. Hopefully we can move one of these along quickly enough to get it in place for this upcoming season.

Option 1: Three zones (keep a north and south zone) with splits with Lake Michigan as the 3rd zone. The Mississippi River would remain with the south zone. Under this scenario, the season in the new zone would not include a split or closed period. The season would begin on October 15 and continue through December 13 for a 60 day season.

Option 2: Three zones (keep a north and south zone) with splits with the Mississippi River as the 3rd zone. Lake Michigan would remain with the south zone. Season dates in this new zone would include a split when hunting is not allowed that is four days longer than the current five day split. The duck season dates would be October 1 to 9, reopening on October 19 and continuing through December 8 for a 60 day season.

Option 3: Four zones with a north, south, Mississippi River and Lake Michigan zone realizing that we would lose the opportunity to split annually. Under this scenario the 60 day season in the Mississippi River zone would open on October 8 and continue through December 6. In Lake Michigan, it would open on October 15 and close on December 13. In the South Zone, it would open on October 1 and continue through November 29. In the North Zone, it would open on September 24 and continue through November 22.

Press release is here: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_artic...up.asp?id=1769
 
As I understand it, the proposal doesn't include language regarding season dates except as examples of what to expect in the upcoming season. The real issue is zone structure, and whether splits would be allowed within a proposed new structure.

Along with most of the Miss River hunters I've talked to, I support Option 2. That would allow Mississippi River to have a later start date than the southern zone IF there is a 30 day season sometime in the future. This is all about flexibility.

Rick
 
Being completely selfish option 1 is a horrible idea. May be great for those in central to eastern WI but for those of us in Eastern MN and Western WI, this would really limit us on the early season hunting. If hunters in MN are blasting away at the end of September (MN is looking to change their Saturday closest to Oct 1) rule, the MN hunting would push some of the ducks away.

I like the early opening date (to get the teal and early migrators) and like a late close to catch the late migrators and in case the weather stays nice for a long time such as last year. I would also like to see the rules changed on concealment and see the zone line moved back to where it was 5 years ago. The new north/south line is too far north IMO.

Once again, this is being completely 100% selfish.

Mark W
 
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As I understand it, the proposal doesn't include language regarding season dates except as examples of what to expect in the upcoming season. The real issue is zone structure, and whether splits would be allowed within a proposed new structure.

Along with most of the Miss River hunters I've talked to, I support Option 2. That would allow Mississippi River to have a later start date than the southern zone IF there is a 30 day season sometime in the future. This is all about flexibility.

Rick
Click to expand...


Correct on the season dates, those can be changed every year and were simply laid out as a guideline of what to expect.

The problem now is everyone on this side of the state wants option 1. Lake MI needs to be more in its own zone than the river does, IMO. Granted I hunt the lake more than the river so there is some bias there. The birds clearly do not show up on the Lake until almost season close and the river is always at peak in November.

I wouldnt mind an option 3 either, but id like to see the Lake zone start even a week later than they have it posted.
 
Mark- Everyone is going to want the best hunting opportunity for their area. It is a little selfish but I'm not going to hold it against you because I want the same. Plus all of your points/arguments are valid.

I'm kind of stuck between them.

I agree that if we ever go to a 30 day season being able to have/not have split will make a huge difference.

Having easy axcess to hunt Lake Michigan and the gear to do it I would like to see the season longer for there.

But with funds/cash they way its going to be this fall I might not be able to travel as much as the past. Thus would like a longer season around here and the Mississippi is alot closer. I also have a buddy who just moved to La Cross.

I really wish they would change the Horicon Zone for geese. It goes way too far west IMO.


No matter what happens someone isn't going to be happy. There are too many different hunting situations across our state. I guess thats something that makes it nice. You might not always get a limit but you can find all kinds of different birds to hunt.
 
After a brief meeting it seemed to be the concenus that either options 1 or 2 should be considered, option 3 would really limit us if the season structure ever got lowered to 45 days.

Personally I dont see how having the River help at all. However, have lake Mi on its own could extend the season 2 weeks and open up hunting opportunity in the state to over 90 days if a guy was to take full advantage of the north opener and then hunt the Lake late. The river does not expand opportunity.
 
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