The public will be able to present their views on a proposed plan to implement a new law opening state parks to hunting and trapping at a series of listening sessions. State Natural Resources Board members will conduct the sessions around the state in late October and early November.

Natural Resources Board Chair David Clausen noted the listening sessions are being held to get input on how to implement the law, not the law itself, which the Legislature approved last session and Gov. Scott Walker signed in April. Act 168 - known as the Sporting Heritage Bill – expands hunting and trapping in state parks. See the full text of Act 168.

Two or three Natural Resources Board members will attend each listening session. At the December 11 – 12 Natural Resources Board meeting, Department of Natural Resources staff will present a plan to implement the law and the full Board will discuss the comments they received at the listening sessions.

People attending listening sessions will be able to review maps designating which areas are proposed as open and closed to hunting, and will be able to comment to Board members on the department’s proposal to implement the law. Maps of proposed open and closed hunting areas in state parks are available for review online.

Attendees who would like to speak or submit written comments should sign up at the door on arriving at the session.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board listening session schedule - all sessions start at 6:30 p.m. Date Location Address City Board members attending Oct. 29 Quality Inn and Suites 2969 Cahill Main Fitchburg Preston Cole and Jane Wiley Oct. 30 Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire Dave Clausen and Jane Wiley Nov. 5 Merrill High School 1201 N. Sales St. Merrill Christine Thomas and Jane Wiley Nov. 8 The Bordini Center, Fox Valley Technical College 5 Systems Drive Appleton William Bruins, Terry Hilgenberg and Jane Wiley Nov. 13 Tommy Thompson Youth Center, State Fair Park 640 S. 84th St. West Allis Gregory Kazmierski and Jane Wiley

Other ways to comment or speak

Listening session comments can be sent by U.S. mail to:

Wisconsin State Parks – Act 168

PO Box 7921

Madison, WI 53707-7921

Comments can also be emailed to: DNRWisconsinParks@wisconsin.gov.

The deadline to provide comments is Nov. 23.

In addition, the Board welcomes testimony and written comments on this issue at its December meeting. December meeting information will be available on the Board agenda web page.

Public Participation Information

Public Participation at Natural Resources Board Meetings

Public participation registration and written comment deadline:

4 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting unless otherwise noted.

Registration requests and comments should be directed to the Board Liaison.