Wolves of Douglas County Wisconsin’s writer Keri Lewis, was in attendance to testify in opposition to Assembly Bill 433, and waited attentively for the bill to be announced. The majority of the room was filled with hunter camouflage, which comes as no surprise as the Wisconsin Bear Hunter’s Association was encouraging members to appear at the hearing dressed in this classic, hunter attire according to some hunting pages on social media. Representative Adam Jarchow (R) could be seen mingling with these individuals before the hearing began.
Jarchow introduced Assembly Bill 433, stating that due to new technology and tensions in the woods, it was time to make improvements to the current hunter harassment law. As it turns out, much of his testimony targeted Rod Coronado and his citizen-monitoring organization.
“This group is known as Wolf Patrol, and it was originally formed when wolf hunting was legal….” explained Jarchow.
Rod Coronado testifying as seen on WisEye.org.
Public testimonies included 23 individuals who testified and in all, 45 in support and 5 in opposition to the “Right to Hunt Act.” There was definite emotion felt on the part of hunters who claimed to be harassed by Wolf Patrol’s 3-man crew, and admitted to fearing for the safety of their families; yet when prompted for evidence of said acts, not one person could produce a case where Wolf Patrol was cited for their actions.
Coronado also testified explaining,”The reason there has not been one criminal charge against this organization, is because we have not committed one criminal act.”Also in opposition, Jodi Habush Sinykin, an attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates, spoke of the freedoms which would be criminalized if this bill was passed; she included observing and photographing activities on public lands in her testimony.
“This bill proposes arguably unconstitutional constraints on freedoms that we fortunately take for granted as American citizens,” explained Hubush Sinykin.It appeared that the verbiage within AB 433 the “Right To Hunt Act,” described as “impeding or obstructing” an individual who is hunting, fishing or trapping was the larger part of the discussion among the assembly committee. What constitutes these acts, and how to measure the intent behind them, are ultimately what was discussed among members.
After hours of testimony from both sides, Representative Chairman Al Ott (R) closed with a “tough love” statement, asking bear hunters to examine current polices surrounding their 100-year sport; he cited the relaxed bear baiting regulations Wisconsin has adopted, in comparison to other midwest states.
In conclusion, the fate of AB 433 the “Right To Hunt Act” will not be determined until the end of the Fall session sometime next month. Stay tuned for updates regarding this important legislation.
Some Wisconsin Lawmakers Claim Bear Hunters Are Being Harassed
Assembly Bill 433 “Right to Hunt Act” hearing coverage by Susan Bence of WUWM 89.7 FM, October 29, 2015Wisconsin hunters need more protection. That’s the adamant opinion of some Republicans who control the state Assembly. They’re pushing a bill designed to prohibit individuals from impeding or obstructing a hunter from his or her sport.
The Assembly Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage Committee held a public hearing Wednesday at the state capitol to discuss the legislation.
Representative Adam Jarchow says the bill he crafted especially goes after extremists who are harassing bear hunters in the woods. “This group known as the Wolf Patrol and it was originally formed when wolf hunting was legal and they would fight against legal wolf hunting in Wisconsin,” he says.
Jarchow says when a federal judge put the gray wolf back on the endangered list, and halted Wisconsin’s hunt, the patrol shifted its focus to bear hunters.
“Some of these folks will wait outside the homes of hunters where their families live, and wait for them to leave, so they can follow them around to their hunting sites. They’ll then follow hunters through the woods with video cameras documenting legal acts of hunting. This is much like stalking,” he says.
Robin Prince is one of the hunters who feels threatened. A resident of Clear Lake, she says bear hunting is part of her heritage.
“That being said, I don’t have a problem with people simply enjoying the outdoors – your berry picking, your hikers etc. I welcome them to the conversation; they don’t all agree with what I’ve got going on, but they have the request to ask question. The problem I have is when someone stalks me and my family – mainly my dogs. I don’t want someone waiting for me at the end of the driveway; waiting to follow me or film me without my permission,” Prince says.
Melanie Weberg says feelings of intimidation aren’t limited to hunters. The Polk County resident says rural, non-hunting residents feel vulnerable when bear hunters train their dogs.
“I know property owners in five counties – Rusk, Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk – who have been verbally and physically intimidated by parties of bear hounders during summer and fall. I know of a married couple in their 80s in Bayfield County, I didn’t mention that, who lost their beloved dog to a pack of bear hound dogs who were afraid to report it for fear of retaliation,” Weberg says.
Keri Lewis thinks the proposed law goes against First Amendment rights. Originally a Hayward resident, Lewis now lives in Milwaukee.
“Specifically freedom of speech, press, assembly and petition. I feel this act would hinder the public’s right to know what goes on during specific hunting season, for example bear hunting on public lands. I would also like to add the amendments in Bill 433 would restrict recreational activities for any person who would wish to be on public lands where there are hunters,” Lewis says.
The spotlight glared on Rod Coronado throughout much of the hearing. The Michigan resident created the Wolf Patrol.
“ I don’t think I’ve ever heard so much mudslinging against one organization in such a short period of time but it could all be answered by looking at the video tapes that we take on public lands of hunting activities that we believe negatively impact wildlife,” Coronado says.
The assembly committee spent a full half hour grilling Coronado. He maintains his activities are legal.
“We have never said anywhere on Wolf Patrol that we are opposed to hunting, but we are in favor of amending existing legislation and laws that effect wildlife and the way we do that is by participating in the public process and encouraging other people to participate in the public process. The way we do that is by showing them what those practices look like,” Coronado says.
Bill Welch with the Wisconsin Bear Association calls Coronado’s tactics blatant intimidation. “These activists should not be considered activists, but self-policing extremists who stalk, photograph, condemn, harass and videotape hunters who are abiding by their sport lawfully. I am fully supportive of this act protecting hunters’ rights and privacy as they lawfully hunt or trap,” Welch says.
While Wednesday’s debate was long and emotional, the Assembly committee did not make a decision on AB 433. That vote is left for another day.
If you're hunting on public land, you have no "right to privacy", or, at the very least, you have no more rights than any other person with a camera or video equipment.
ReplyDeleteThe only way hunters are impeded by documentation is they are prompted to follow every nuance of the law. Maybe they simply just don't want to be caught doing something illegal -or unethical. There should be NO protection for unethical acts on the part of hunters.
Did Mr. Coronado get to show any of the videos? If not, WHY?