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SconnieBoy


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Wisconsin Regs Question
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So I started crow hunting last year a couple times on my family's property. I have really enjoyed and would like to do more of it since it helps the waterfowl population. Question I have is in regards to private land, hunting year round, and bag limit.

In the Wisconsin Small Game Regulations it says you can shoot crows any time on private property if they are causing damage to trees, crops, wildlife, or livestock or being a nuisance. My question is do I have to be the landowner to shoot them anytime or if I get permission to hunt on someone else's private land, can I shoot them outside the normal crow season? Also would the 15 bird bag limit still apply to private lands if you can shoot them year round?
I know this is direction more towards folks in WI but any input would be appreciated!

"▲Note: Grackles, red-winged blackbirds and cowbirds are protected species and may not be hunted for recreational purposes. They may be killed on private lands without a hunting license or federal permit ONLY IF they are causing damage or are about to cause damage to trees, crops, livestock, or wildlife or if they are concentrated in large numbers that may constitute a health hazard or other nuisance. Crows may also be killed without a federal permit and outside the normal crow season in these situations. Non-toxic shot is required when shooting crows outside the normal season and when shooting grackles, red-winged blackbirds and cowbirds which are causing damage or a nuisance.)"
 
 


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Island Shooter


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SconnieBoy,

Welcome to the forum! Hope you can get some help on the various issues you are dealing with.

While state regs vary wildly, initial reading of your post seems to indicate that you don't need to be the landowner. I am not an attorney, however.

Your best first step would probably be calling your DNR office to ask for a clarification. If you know or see a game warden, he/she may be able to help as well. Around here (South Carolina), crows are the "black sheep" of their business and they don't care much what happens while crow hunting. YMMV, however.

Also, research the regs carefully. Sometimes they require annual reporting of crop depredation kills. My advice in general: Follow all game laws!

Good luck and good hunting. Keep us posted on your progress.

Demi

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SconnieBoy


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Just got a note back from my warden and you are correct!  So that will be nice to have a year round "season" now biggrin

 

"I’ve attached the Nuisance Wildlife Guide, there is a section for Crows on Page 4.  I also added the actual Administrative Code. Basically it does allow a landowner or an Agent(you) to hunt or trap crows on their land.  The key is that they are causing or about to cause damage.  Just make sure the farmer is having issues and not just allowing you to hunt them on their farm for sport.  You don’t need a license, nontoxic shot required, follow the waterfowl shooting hours, it’s year round and no bag limits.  It looks like the US Fish and Wildlife require a report to be submitted to them by Jan 31 the following year too, I’m not familiar with that whole process though..  I would recommend having a note from the farmer stating what they are authorizing you to shoot crows.  Lesa Kardash is the Portage County Biologist (715) 421-7813 lesa.kardash@wisconsin.gov,  she would be a good contact to discuss the current season frame work and she might be about to answer questions about the federal reporting part too.  Hope this helps!  Hope your school year is going smoothly…

 

 

NR 12.05 Birds causing depredation.

 

(1)  Findings. The natural resources board finds that unlimited shooting or trapping of cowbirds, crows, grackles, house sparrows, starlings, and red-winged blackbirds is necessary when causing depredation.

 

(2) Permit waiver. Neither a federal nor state permit are required of any person to shoot or trap birds listed in sub. (1) when found committing or about to commit depredations upon agricultural crops, livestock, ornamental or shade trees or when constituting a health hazard or other nuisance provided:

 

(a) Disposition. Birds killed and their plumage may not be sold or offered for sale.

 

(b) Premises inspection. Any person taking these birds shall at all reasonable times, including during actual operation, permit any federal or state game law enforcement officer, free and unrestricted access on the premises over which the operations have been or are being conducted, and shall furnish promptly to the officer whatever information he or she requests about the operation.

 

(3) License waiver. Hunting and trapping licenses are not required for shooting or trapping these birds when causing the depredations described under sub. (2) (intro.).

 

(4) Shooting hours. The hours for shooting depredating birds during the open season for migratory birds as specified under s. NR 10.01 (1) shall be the same as those established for migratory game bird hunting under s. NR 10.06 (5)."



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gmochty


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What part of the state are you located sconnieboy? I'm in the south east part of the state. Good luck to ya

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SconnieBoy


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Central but my property is in Western WI.  Same to you!



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