The article just restates the trend of the last twenty yearswhich started with Govenor(R) Tommy Thompsons long term administration.The WDNR's ability to protect WI's water and environmental quality has beenseverely reducedby budget cuts, personnel cuts, and wimpy legislation.

Couple years ago the 11 Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee tried to steal the dedicated license stamp funds from WI sportsman, and put it in the General fund. The 5 Democrates on the Committee were simply out voted 11-5 and powerless to stop it. After much public outcry, months later, theRepublicanson the Joint Finance Committeegave the money back, and took funds from a Hazardous Waste cleanup account.

It was Republican legislaters that attempted to eliminate December Deer hunting so Snowmobilers could have unrestricted trail access ... mostly at the request of the snomobiler lobby under the blanket of tourism promotion.

Thedesireof stateRepublicans to split the DNR to gain political control of the filling ofwetlands, shoreline development, and water quality issues .... should be of major concern to all Wisconsinhunters and fishermen. This isan openattemptto gainpolitical leverage with campain contributionsfrom wealthy developers.

The question is ... why do Wisconsin Republican law makers think they can get away with screwing the Wisconsin outdoor sportsman? The answer could rest with the old habit of sportsman blindly voting Republican over gun issue fears.

So while you (R) Legislature thanks you for your vote, and tells you your AK-47 is safe, he is letting some developer pave over the land you have been hunting on your whole life .... is it worth it?