Wisconsin Public land rules 2019 - stand/trimming info.

[mag1]

For some reason I was a little unclear about if guys could leave stands out, and info on trimming tree info. Here are some points that are posted in the 2019 rule book. (Do not take this as current, verify in the rule book from "Go Wild") copied on 9/18/19

P.21
Ground Blinds on DNR-Managed Lands • During any gun or muzzleloader deer season, ground blinds (except waterfowl blinds)
on DNR-owned or -managed lands must have a minimum of 144 square inches of solid
blaze orange or fluorescent pink material visible from all directions.
• All unoccupied ground blinds on DNR-owned or -managed lands must have the owner’s
customer ID number or name and address attached in a manner that is legible and visible
in a conspicuous location near the entrance.
• All ground blinds and elevated devices must be removed daily*. However, north of Highway
64, portable devices may be left overnight on DNR-owned or -managed lands during certain
times of the year; see page 36 for details.
*Exceptions: These ground blind requirements do not apply to blinds constructed entirely
of dead vegetation found on the property, and which include no man-made materials.
Also, waterfowl blinds may be left up throughout the season but must be removed
completely within seven days after the season closes.

P. 36
• build or use a ground blind or any elevated device unless it does not damage the tree and
is completely removed from the property each day up to one hour following the close of
shooting hours. However, overnight placement is allowed during certain times of the year
under the following requirements; visit dnr.wi.gov for further details:
–North of Highway 64, no more than two portable devices per hunter per county may
be left overnight on DNR-managed lands from Sept. 1 - Jan. 31, 2020. All portable
devices must be removed no later than Jan. 31, 2020*
, except that on any land that is
part of the state park system, portable devices may remain placed only throughout the
timeframe beginning seven days prior to, and ending seven days after, an established
fall hunting period.
–South of Highway 64, any portable device may remain placed only during the daily
timeframe beginning one hour prior to, and ending one hour after, the shooting hours
on pages 43 - 45.*
*Note: blinds used for waterfowl hunting do not need to be removed daily. See
the 2019 Migratory Bird Regulations for details.
– Placement of deer blinds/stands on public land does not restrict others from using the
blind/stand or hunting the public land where the blind/stand is located.
• leave a tree stand or ground blind unoccupied unless the owner’s DNR customer ID number
or name and address has been attached in a manner that is visible and legible to a person
on the ground or near the entrance of the ground blind;
Exception: ground blinds constructed entirely of dead vegetation found on the property
do not need to be removed at the end of each day, do not need to display blaze orange/
pink and do not need to have the hunter’s name and address displayed.
• damage trees. Cutting shooting lanes and use of screw-in tree stands or steps are considered
damaging and are illegal on public lands. Careful pruning, flush with the trunk of the tree,
of limbs less than one inch in diameter on a tree in which a tree stand is used shall not be
considered causing damage to the tree.

[Dewey]

The stand rules have been that way for awhile now but surprised to see the change allowing trimming branches. Good to see some clarification on anything under 1” and cut flush with the tree trunk. That’s fair and very easy follow unlike some laws that are never very clear.

[Kraftd]

The trimming clarification is great. Going to guess many of us may have used that interpretation occasionally anyways, but nice to have the clarity and peace of mind.

[peteherbst]

64 seems like a major change. Not to mention you can cut branches less than 1 inch in diameter.

[peteherbst]

To see the cutting has been mentioned.

Was it always 64? I feel like it used to be 54?

[stash59]

To see the cutting has been mentioned.

Was it always 64? I feel like it used to be 54?

No it started a year or 2 ago above 64. Think the baiting bear hunters have alot to do with it!!!

[peteherbst]

To see the cutting has been mentioned.

Was it always 64? I feel like it used to be 54?

No it started a year or 2 ago above 64. Think the baiting bear hunters have alot to do with it!!!

Interesting. I always remember it being 54, but now I’m second guessing if I read the regs last year or not...

[Jonny]

This is only on dnr managed lands as well. Other public lands have their own rules that people need to know because there are differences

[Tim H]

To see the cutting has been mentioned.

Was it always 64? I feel like it used to be 54?

No it started a year or 2 ago above 64. Think the baiting bear hunters have alot to do with it!!!

Interesting. I always remember it being 54, but now I’m second guessing if I read the regs last year or not...

The north of 64 rule has been around for several years.

[peteherbst]

To see the cutting has been mentioned.

Was it always 64? I feel like it used to be 54?

No it started a year or 2 ago above 64. Think the baiting bear hunters have alot to do with it!!!

Interesting. I always remember it being 54, but now I’m second guessing if I read the regs last year or not...

The north of 64 rule has been around for several years.

I’m in Jefferson County so it wouldn’t have ever made a difference. But I wonder now how long I’ve referenced that as 54 when it’s actually 64.