Law Enforcement Headlines

Futures Committee Work - Successful Meeting with External Contributors over the Weekend - April 22 and 23rd

The Bureau of Law Enforcement completed the third leg of its long-term strategic planning process on April 23rd. This "leg" of the process involved meeting with a broad array of citizens from across Wisconsin in an effort to collect information about when, where and how Conservation Wardens should spend their enforcement time over the next 5-7 years. The citizen group considered significant global issues from around the world, age demographics, funding sources, competing interests, educational efforts and how 5.3 million Wisconsin residents benefit from Wisconsin's natural resources. The citizen input will be used in conjunction with other information to develop the final plan for Conservation Wardens.

Results from Snowmobile Accident Reduction Team Patrols

Madison – The 2005-2006 snowmobile season was the initial season for the DNR’s Snowmobile Accident Reduction and Alcohol Enforcement Team. Formation of the team was supported by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs and the Governor’s Snowmobile Recreation Council; both groups stated the need for more enforcement presence on trails.

Pictured left to right, back row - Wardens John Windt, Stuart Pfeiffer, William Mitchell, Supervisor Dave Holmes. Sitting - Heather Gottschalk, Jill Schartner. Photo courtesy of WI DNR.

The team consisted of six conservation wardens with six marked snowmobiles and three marked enclosed trailers. “The main objectives of the team was to perform high visibility patrol and enforce all snowmobile regulations; concentrating on operating while intoxicated (OWI) violations”, stated Gary Eddy, Snowmobile Administrator. The teams patrolled 10 weekends (Friday through Sunday) focusing in on areas that experienced fatal accidents in the past or areas with high volumes of snowmobile traffic. Counties patrolled were Iron, Vilas, Oneida, Oconto, Marinette, Sawyer and Burnett.

“Team members were excellent ambassadors of snowmobile safety, they did a great job promoting safety and enforcing the regulations. Team members received overwhelmingly positive comments from the public while on patrol. They were very happy to see them out on the trail. Law enforcement contacts included 402 citations and 1341 warnings. “Citations made up 23% of our law enforcement contacts. That’s right where we wanted to be. We wanted to be more educational with our contacts.” Included with the citations were 39 arrests for OWI. During the previous season, there were a total of 40 OWI arrests for all officers statewide.

Eddy reports, “The patrols had the desired effect. People were concerned about drinking alcohol and operating their snowmobiles. I heard these comments from snowmobilers when I was out on patrol with the team. Other team members reported receiving the same comments and seeing snowmobilers leaving their sleds parked at taverns and walking to their hotels. Lives were definitely saved because of the team’s presence.”

Governor Doyle signs wildlife violator compact

Tomah – Governor Jim Doyle signed into law the Wildlife Violator Compact in an April 8 ceremony held at the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation's annual meeting in Tomah.

The Wildlife Violator Compact allows the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to join 19 other states in the International Wildlife Violator Compact. Under the compact, a suspension or revocation of hunting, fishing or trapping privileges in any of the member states will be honored in all member states.

“Violators who have had their hunting, fishing or trapping privileges revoked or suspended will no longer be able to escape the consequences of their actions by engaging in those activities in a neighboring member state,” said DNR  Chief Conservation Warden, Randy Stark. “Their court-imposed revocation will follow them and will be in force in all of the compact states.” (read full news release)