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03-02-2006, 05:55 PM

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Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: SE Wisconsin

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RE: WI Legislature Chooses Snowmobilers Over Deer Hunters

Patrick Durkin column: Hunters shouldn't be AWSC's top concern

When all hunting groups of substance agreed to streamline deer hunting rules last July and the DNR consented to a trial statewide doe-and-fawn hunt in mid-December for 2006 and 2007, Wisconsin was poised to learn something new about cooperative deer management.

But thanks to the Legislature and Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs, all we'll learn this fall is whether the Department of Natural Resources has the steel to swing its "Earn-a-Buck" hammer.

The snowmobiling lobby, speaking with its hand up lawmakers' backs, stopped the new rules package, leaving us with the 2005 framework. Lawmakers demanded the DNR keep Wisconsin divided by U.S. 8 and start the northwoods' antlerless gun season one week early. This would have opened the antlerless hunt four days after the regular nine-day season and stuffed it into the either-sex muzzleloading season, thus creating confusion and unenforceable rules.

When hunting groups, the DNR and its seven-citizen Natural Resources Board refused such nonsense, Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, and Sen. Neil Kedzie, R-Elkhorn, attacked the agency. They claimed a mere seven-day difference of opinion divided deer hunters and snowmobilers. Odd. If seven days were no big deal, why change the dates?

Gunderson also lectured hunters that they only advise the DNR and Legislature; not dictate to it. True. He and Kedzie only take dictation from snowmobilers. The AWSC claimed December deer hunts cause access conflicts, but in a legislative hearing Jan. 23, they cited only four landowners in Marinette County who won't open trails during deer season.

Sure, they also claimed woes in the Northern Highland State Forest, but they didn't explain it's their people — with DNR consent — who determine when the gate opens. Snowmobilers literally hold those gate keys, and keep it closed during deer season for fear hunters will drive ATVs or trucks illegally on "their" trail.

Meanwhile, the AWSC pretends archers and muzzleloaders don't hunt in December. Why no access problems from these deer hunters? The fact is, much trail work is done during and before November's gun season when the ground is frost-free so it's easier for snowmobilers to pound stakes or dig holes for signposts.

The AWSC's true gripe — shouted by members and whispered by AWSC leaders — centers on irrational fears about gun-hunters. This from a group that ignores its sorrowful safety record. Wisconsin snowmobilers average 27 deaths per winter, and already were one shy of that mark last week. The record is 39 deaths in winter 2000-01.

In contrast, in 2005, it took ATV riders 11 months and boaters eight months to kill 22 people each, even though Wisconsin has more registered ATVs (222,805) and boats (636,588) than snowmobiles (200,317).

Why such carnage? Alcohol. Although alcohol was confirmed in four deaths (18 percent) each on ATVs and boats last year, its presence in snowmobile fatalities the past three winters was 84, 72 and 76 percent.

It's past time for the AWSC and Legislature to follow the International Snowmobiling Congress' 2002 policy of "zero tolerance" for alcohol. Michigan and Minnesota tie drunken snowmobiling to their auto license. Minnesota, with nearly 270,000 snowmobiles, averaged 24 deaths until toughening its law in 1998. Its fatalities now average 16.

Will the AWSC ever police its sport and set compassionate priorities? This group sent 97 people to a legislative hearing Jan. 23 to oppose the deer rules, but only two attended a Senate hearing Jan. 5 to support a 55 mph nighttime speed limit.

Further, according to the Wisconsin Ethics Board, the AWSC spent $22,174 in 2005 on lobbying. Most of it — 36 percent — targeted the deer rules. Meanwhile, 25 percent went toward the speed-limit bill, 23 percent toward unspecified recreational issues, 11 percent toward noise rules and 6 percent toward unspecified safety measures.

AWSC leaders say the leading factor in snowmobiling fatalities is stupidity, followed by alcohol and speed. Their collaborative labors with legislators the past seven months suggest expertise on that first factor.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060302/GPG0204/603020506/1233/GPGsports

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