Chippewa Tribes to begin Night Deer Hunting???

[DonBo]

Quote:

Members of five Chippewa tribes in Wisconsin were poised on Monday to begin a contested off-reservation night deer hunt, according to a spokeswoman for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Seventy-four tribal hunters completed firearm proficiency training and filed a shooting plan, but as of 8 p.m. Monday the commission had not granted any night deer hunting permits, according to Sue Erickson, the commission’s public information director.

Although the tribes did not specify when the hunts would start, they are to be held on land in the ceded territory of northern Wisconsin.

Erickson said the night deer hunt would take place despite a 1989 court ruling that prohibited the practice as well as the protestations of state officials.

“When the state allowed night hunting for wolves this year, our tribal members took it as a sign they could night hunt for deer,” Erickson said.

The state Department of Justice, representing the Department of Natural Resources, asked a federal judge in Madison last week to stop the tribes’ plans and confirm the DNR’s authority to enforce regulations that prohibit night deer hunting.

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp said her agency was worried about public safety for people living or driving near the night hunting.

“We stand firm that they (the tribes) don’t have the authority to do this,” Stepp said in an interview.

State officials asked the tribes to hold off on any hunt until U.S. Judge Barbara Crabb rules on the motion. Crabb has yet to issue a ruling.

Erickson said the tribal commission planned to file a cross-motion Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Members of the St. Croix, Lac du Flambeau, Mole Lake, Red Cliff, and Lac Courte Oreilles bands have qualified for the night deer hunt, Erickson said.

Although the tribes didn’t specify when they planned to begin the hunt, several other details were revealed.

The night deer hunting would take place over baited sites and from elevated stands. Lights would be used as an aid at the “point of kill.” Firearms, bows or crossbows could be used.

“This harvest opportunity helps tribal members better meet their needs for a traditional source of healthy food,” said Fred Maulson, the commission's chief warden.

Tribes periodically update treaty harvest regulations to mirror changes made by the state, such as recent laws to extend deer seasons and to allow uncased firearms in vehicles. In April, the Legislature passed a wide range of controversial wolf hunting regulations, including night hunting with rifles.

“As baiting and feeding whitetails continues to be ingrained in sport hunting culture, deer are spending daylight hours bedded down and only moving at night,” Maulson said.

Erickson said tribal law enforcement officers would be on hand to oversee the hunting activity.

State conservation wardens plan to investigate any complaints to determine the identity of night hunters. But if tribal members are involved, the DNR would notify tribal law enforcement and leave the area, according to a DNR directive.

The tribes hold an annual off-reservation deer hunting season. This would be the first to include night hunting.

Last year the tribes harvested 1,387 deer in their off-reservation season, according to GLIFWC reports.

The tribal off-reservation deer hunting period began Monday and runs through Jan. 6. The daily bag limit is two or four deer, depending on regulations of individual bands, Erickson said.

[GatorBait]

Keeping up with Tradition in Non-Traditional ways. Yep, pretty sure this is going to end up getting squashed.

[Flatlander]

I'm 38 yrs old and grew up in Sayner, Wi. They've been killing deer at night since I was old enough to know what the late night shooting was, so I would say they began Night Deer Hunting at least 30 years ago.

[Cooter]

All politics on this one, don't see it happening - move on the tribes part to voice their displeasure on the wolf hunting.

Haven't heard anything recently but this needs to get dismissed and the sooner the better.