Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Senate passed 10 bills today from the Wisconsin Sporting Freedom package, sweeping but commonsense legislation backed by Hunter Nation that would protect the rights of hunters and anglers and expand outdoor opportunities throughout the state. The 10 bills would expand the enjoyment of our God-given natural resources, make it easier for more people to get involved in hunting and fishing, and recognize the positive contributions outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen make to our state’s economy and way of life. These bills will now go to the Wisconsin Assembly for votes.

“We applaud the Wisconsin Senate for moving so quickly to defend the rights of hunters and anglers and increase outdoor opportunities in this state,” said Hunter Nation President and CEO, Luke Hilgemann. “As I shared when we proudly unveiled this package of legislation, the attacks on our sport, outdoor lifestyle, and values as American hunters have gone unchallenged for too long and this is a great first step that will benefit all of Wisconsin.”

Below is information on each of the 10 bills that were passed today, from material released by the legislators sponsoring them:

Pheasant Management Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Rob Stafsholt and ??Rep. James Edming

? This bill would increase the minimum number of pheasants being planted to 200,000 and would improve the identification of the properties where the pheasants are planted, increasing access to hunting.

Turkey Hunting Simplification Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Robert Brooks

? This bill would modify administrative rules relating to the hunting of wild turkeys to combine hunting zones and seasons to just two zones and two seasons (down from the complicated and restrictive six seasons that makes it difficult for many hunters to participate), and to modify youth hunting restrictions.

Mentored Hunt Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Petrowski and Rep. Robert Brooks

? This bill would allow an individual to satisfy the in-person field testing requirement for the hunter’s safety program by participating in a mentored hunt.

Wisconsin Brook Trout Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Eric Wimberger and Rep. Elijah Behnke

? This bill would set a minimum number of 100,000 brook trout that would be required to be raised by the DNR.

DNR Hunting License Categories Simplification Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and ??Rep. Alex Dallman

? This bill would require the DNR to prepare a report that identifies ways to consolidate or eliminate hunting, fishing, and trapping approvals to reduce the total number of types of licenses DNR is required to issue.

DNR Habitat Transparency Bill
Sponsored by Sen. John Jagler and Rep. Clint Moses

? This bill would increase transparency and accountability by requiring the DNR to create a biennial work plan that establishes priorities and goals for habitat work on lands managed by DNR and measures progress on established priorities and goals.

DNR Public Lands Access Report Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and ??Rep. Gae Magnafici

? This bill would require the DNR to prepare a report that identifies public access opportunities on all lands owned or managed by DNR, land acquired under the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson stewardship program, and open managed forest lands.

Dog Training Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Clint Moses

? This bill would require the DNR to make available on the Go Wild website dog training licenses. Currently, this license is not available there and that makes it harder for hunters to comply.

Aquaculture Partnership Bill
Sponsored by Sen. Howard Marklein and ??Rep. Alex Dallman

? This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to prepare a report that identifies opportunities for partnering with the private aquaculture industry for increased stocking of desirable sport fish in lakes and streams.

Farm-raised Game Bovid
Sponsored by Sen. Patrick Testin and Rep. Jeff Mursau

? Under this bill, Wisconsin hunters will have an opportunity to hunt non-native bovids, some of which are already being raised on Wisconsin game farms. The bill requires farm-raised game bovids to be fenced in the same manner as farm-raised deer other than white-tailed deer.