Wisconsin Bans Hunting By Internetby Kevin Doberstein

Wisconsin State Assembly passed Bill 179. This bill reads “relating to: being physically in possession of a firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting captive deer or other captive wild animals. This bill is intended to stop the surge of Internet hunting in Wisconsin. <BR><BR>A Texas businessman owns a web site that allows people to shoot game animals on his ranch. This is done with specially mounted cameras on rifles. The “hunter” can view the entire process online and tell the person holding the rifle to shoot live game on his ranch. He claims the site was intended for disabled people so that they can also enjoy hunting and target shooting. <BR><BR>Generally in Wisconsin, disabled persons are given the opportunity to hunt and enjoy the outdoor experience. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources objective is to provide a variety of hunting, fishing, and recreational use permits designed to help people with disabilities enjoy the state’s natural resources. <BR><BR>Wisconsin’s Disabled Advisory Council for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has 4 main objectives. <BR><BR>- To advise the Department of Natural Resources on matters pertaining to the accessibility of all department programs and services by physically challenged persons. <BR><BR>- To identify and evaluate needs of physically challenged persons and communicate them to the Department. <BR><BR>- To advance research and design, policy and legislative changes to improve accessibility of agency programs and properties. <BR><BR>- To communicate with individuals and other organizations and agencies with similar purposes in a collaborative process to improve accessibility <BR><BR>The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is also part of a nationwide program named “Open the Outdoors”. "Open the Outdoors" is a nationwide effort to provide disabled individuals with a user-friendly means of accessing recreation opportunities. <BR><BR>The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing greater access and more programs for persons with disabilities. The intent is to make it easier for disabled individuals to hunt, fish and pursue other outdoor activities. <BR><BR>Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Web Site. <BR><BR>Supporters of this bill include sportsmen who believe hunting is being outdoors and being an actual part of the hunting experience and that using the Internet isn’t hunting at all. <BR><BR>At this time, at lease 14 other states are working on similar legislation for preventing Internet hunting.