May 30, 2012

 

Vinehout Says Concerns of Wisconsin Hunters Justified

“Deer hunters across the state are concerned about Gov. Walker’s Deer Czar and his comments about public game management being “the last bastion of communism.” State Senator Kathleen Vinehout said, “As a deer hunter I share their concerns.”

Vinehout said hunters are referring to a 2001 Texas Monthly article in which Dr. Kroll stated that “Public game management is the last bastion of communism” and that people who want more public hunting opportunities are “pining for socialism.”

Gov. Walker appointed Texan Dr. James Kroll to serve as Wisconsin’s Deer Trustee. Dr. Kroll, also known as “Dr. Deer”, is a long-time proponent of private deer management as a way to add value to land. Kroll owns a deer ranch where he says, “We manage habitat. We control the population and manage for hunting.”

Last month at a meeting with hunters in Mount Horeb Dr. Kroll said among his recommendations is involving private landowners in deer management.

“Comparing deer management in Texas and Wisconsin is like comparing apples and oranges. In Texas, 98% of land is privately owned.” Vinehout said, “In Wisconsin, we have a hunting heritage of protecting public land to allow everyone to hunt. Contrast that with Texas where the size of the deer you shoot depends on how much you are willing to pay.”

“Many people have concerns about the direction the DNR leadership team is headed,” said Vinehout, “Secretary Stepp said she is taking a ‘business approach to managing the agency’ and is open to selling off DNR land. As a legislator, Executive Assistant Scott Gunderson introduced legislation that would have chipped away at the public’s right to use the waters held in trust by the state under the Public Trust Doctrine.”

“Our traditions of hunting, fishing, and trapping go back to May 29, 1848 when Wisconsin became a state,” Vinehout said, “Those traditions are so treasured that Wisconsin voters enshrined them in our state constitution. Lawmakers must be vigilant in protecting the hunting rights of all people regardless of the size of their pocket book.”