OPEN UP: Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet forest remains open to hunters by order of Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.
Here’s some good advice my daddy once told me: Try not to tick off a bear hunter.
Posted on 10/09/2013 4:24:22 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
MADISON — Here’s some good advice my daddy once told me: Try not to tick off a bear hunter.
Words to live by.
In Wisconsin, hunters of all stripes — bear hunters included — are applauding the state Department of Natural Resources’ decision to keep state properties open to hunting during the federal government’s partial shutdown.
Last week, the National Park Service issued a directive demanding that the DNR close several state-owned properties, jointly run by federal and state agencies.
The DNR effectively told the Park Service to go hunt itself, for a couple of important reasons: a) because a majority of the funding to operate the properties comes from Wisconsin taxpayers and b) the DNR does its level best to live by the don’t-tick-off-a-bear hunter maxim.
“There is no reason for the National Park Service to completely close off Wisconsin citizens’ access to these parks,” said Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association President Al Lobner in a statement, released Monday.
Wisconsin’s black bear season continues through Tuesday. Bow deer season also is open statewide.
“With the majority of the funding coming from the state of Wisconsin, we applaud the DNR’s decision,” the Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition, which bills itself as Wisconsin’s only group “100 (percent) dedicated to advancing hunting opportunities and protecting the rights of Wisconsin hunters.”
The Coalition is made up of several groups including the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin Chapters of Safari Club International, the National Rifle Association and Wisconsin FORCE.
Last week, DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp in an email to agency employees said the DNR had clarified areas where the federal procedures are “over-reaching” by ordering the closure of properties where the state has management authority through existing agreements. She said hunting access will remain open in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, but the campgrounds will be closed.
As the partial federal government shutdown moves into its second week, some have accused the Obama administration of making the shutdown harder than it need be.
Joan Anzelmo, a former spokeswoman for Grand Teton National Park told the San Jose Mercury News that shutting down national parks was a tactic used by the White House to turn public opinion against Congress.
“The park closures in 1995 made a tangible difference,” she told the paper. “The visual of park rangers closing down national parks, closing down the Statue of Liberty and the Washington Monument — keeping Americans out of these iconic American sites — those visuals were really a strong factor in people understanding what a government shutdown meant. People got mad.”
Perhaps the president didn’t count on what stringently enforcing the shutdown at the World War II Memorial would do to the fighting spirit of 80-plus-year-olds from the Greatest Generation with perhaps one last chance to see their monument.
He’s learning that it’s kind of like ticking off a bear hunter: It’s just something you don’t do.
OPEN UP: Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet forest remains open to hunters by order of Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.
Here’s some good advice my daddy once told me: Try not to tick off a bear hunter.
Try not to tick off a bear hunter...
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
The game wardens in AK are a branch of the state police. When patrolling in the backcountry, just about everybody they run into is packing something capable of (or that they think is capable of) taking down a charging grizzly.
Very good idea for them to be polite to these people.
Hunting and supplying hunters is big business in Wisconsin. As our Governor (Scott Walker) has pronounced: “Wisconsin is open for business!”
Pit bulls be dammed if they see me walking one of those down by the projects.
That’s how it’s done!
“state-owned properties, jointly run by federal and state agencies.”
Can someone explain why the feds are helping the state run a state owned property?
Obama’s shutdown amounts to little more than Bear Scat!
My Uncle used to hunt bears in Wisconsin every few years. One year he had a bear climb up the tree after him after he shot it with a .308. He kept his scratched boots to show. Then he upgraded to a .338 Magnum. Another year he actually took a small bear with a bow. I wouldn’t want to cross him.
Maybe a .357 sidearm would have come in handy there.
Many, many years ago before newer calibers came out someone asked an African guide why he carried a .600 nitro express when hunting elephants. He answered, “because they don’t make a .700 nitro express.”
Way to go Wisconsin! Just love all you strong patriots!!
Hubby and I had our first trip to beautiful Wisconsin about a year and half ago. Met up with dear friends and got to see such beautiful country! :)
The House needs to pass a bill that designates the entire Park Service as non-essential in case of a shutdown.
Wisconsin gets a LOT of money from out-of-state hunters this time of year......
Miles is done bear hunting for the season - his group got 3 - no trophies this year, though. :(
However, he DOES have his first Wolf Tag, and that starts next weekend.
I do believe he would’ve gone to DC over this, LOL!
Show Miles reply #10...;^) Those scratched boots are the most interesting trophy I’ve ever heard of!
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