12/30/2023
Wisconsin folks
Hunters apply for preference points every year for specific animals such as wolves (when seasons are allowed), bobcats and bears. It takes a long time to accumulate points for a tag, for instance, bear tags require 9 points- or 9 years of applying- minimum. The problem is, if you don't buy a point in 3 years, the DNR strikes all your points to zero. So the money you paid in and the dedication you had to buy points for x amount of years (oftentimes over a decade) goes to zero.
I'm not a world class hunter, but I don't think that's right. They're your points that you paid for and there is no logical reason why those points should ever go away. Even if it takes you 25 years to accumulate enough points for a bobcat or a fisher, those points should be yours to use as they conveniently fit your timeline. We get sick, take care of our ailing parents, switch careers, have children, and sometimes for bursts of time maybe we lose interest. That does not seem like a logical reason for the state to be able to drop your points to zero or force you to continue to buy points until you are ready to harvest your animal (when you have already accumulated enough points for a tag.)
This is a good bill, but there's a hiccup. I am getting hunter support estimated in the 90% range- the only pushback I am getting is from The Bear Hunter Association. The argument? You should be dedicated enough to apply for 9 years to get your points.
As a member of the Bear Hunter Association, that's not a good enough explanation for me, so I introduced the bill. So far I have 10 Assembly Reps on board and 2 State Senators. I vowed to come into this office and reduce red tape, and that's what I'm doing.
Share this post and send a quick email to your State Representatives and let them know that you support the Preference Point Protection Act!
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/
Happy New Year everyone, I'm comin' in hot.
Angie