Posted on 11/26/2012 6:26:50 PM PST by SJackson
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Night deer hunting for Wisconsin's Chippewa tribes began Monday evening, but a spokeswoman for the commission overseeing it said no hunters had obtained permits to participate.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, which oversees the Chippewa's off-reservation treaty rights, authorized night hunting last week for tribal members who meet a number of safety requirements, including a marksmanship test. The decision drew sharp opposition from state officials, who said night deer hunting was too dangerous and have gone to court to stop it.
Commission spokeswoman Sue Erickson said 74 tribal members from five of Wisconsin's six Chippewa tribes met the marksmanship requirements, making them eligible for a permit. However, none had applied by Monday afternoon. If they had, they would have been able to head out 50 minutes after sunset, a day after the state's traditional firearms season ended.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
My dad spot light hunted 60 years ago. It was illegal then too but a great way to help feed 7 children.
I used to have an uncle in northern Michigan who enjoyed nighttime deer hunting......year round.
It's hard enough tracking a faint blood trail in daylight let alone at night and I certainly wouldn't want to be in a position to try and find my way back to the truck after wandering thru the woods in the pitch dark with just a flashlight
Night deer hunting in Wisconsin for the Chippewa?
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
This whole deal is in response to the new Wisconsin wolf hunt. The tribe considers the wolf a spiritual animal and is against hunting them. Now that wolf hunting is allowed they are trying to get even.
Honestly, I don’t understand why the state needs to take them to court. I would just issue a statement that any night hunting of deer on non-reservation land is illegal and will result in the normal penalties and arrest that is in place for everyone else.
This is about the Indian nation testing and broadening their sovereign nation rights. They now have $$$$ from gaming and can hire the best Lawyers to work the judicial system.
Agree about the difficulty of the blood trail. Finding your way simply a matter of judgement. In the estraordinarily unlikely event night hunting should become legal for the masses, I predict many lost and freezing hunters.
Interesting, didn’t know that.
It was a full moon all weekend...sucked for hunting...but if some buck would have walked by before legal hunting...A person could have flung an arrow at them.
Moon light was bright..and the sky was clear.
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