Law Enforcement Headlines

New Snowmobile Legislation for 2006-2007 Season

Madison – The Governor signed two snowmobile related bills into law on March 27, 2006.

The first bill relates to a 55 mph nighttime speed limit. The second bill signed into law relates to snowmobile noise level standards. The noise limit was set at 88 decibels.

The speed limit applies to all areas statewide from ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise. “During this past snowmobile season 69% of our fatal accidents occurred at night and 67% were speed related. It’s a proven fact that night time speeds over 50 m.p.h. greatly reduced your ability to react in time to avoid a collision with a fixed object”, states Gary Eddy, Snowmobile Administrator for the Department of Natural Resources. “The speed limit will assist law enforcement with addressing unsafe night operation and is expected to reduce nighttime crashes which all too often results in injury accidents or fatalities.

The noise limit which takes effect beginning May 1, 2006 applies to all snowmobiles manufactured after July 1, 1975. Eddy states, “Excessive snowmobile exhaust noise greatly hampers the excellent work our snowmobile clubs to secure permission for trails and routes on or along private property. Public complaints about muffler noise can and has led to the closure of trails for snowmobile use. Wardens are hopeful that enforcement of this decibel limit will effectively deter loud exhaust systems from being used on snowmobiles that are running on the trail system.”

Education – Learn To Hunt Turkey Event

GREEN COUNTY -- Conservation Warden Jill Schartner (Green County) recently finished up with a youth Learn To Hunt turkey event. In all, twenty young hunters and twenty mentors participated. They only harvested five birds due to some weather issues, but they also had seven misses; regardless it was a great hunt. One boy made an impressive 150 yard belly crawl to a fence line; he shot and missing a big tom. When the shot rang out, 40+ birds scattered. However, remaining cool headed and patient, the hunters sat still long enough to let two nearby hens calm down. They were able to call back three curious jakes and the boy bagged one them. Schartner proclaimed, "it was a great hunt, one we'll both never forget!"

Learn To Hunt participants practicing newly taught skills from mentors.

Schartner's Learn To Hunt group, excited and ready to go.

Three of Wisconsin's future conservationists….or should we say current conservationists?