Wisconsin
- Thread starter MPH
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HTRN57
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Following are some general guidelines for night hunting in Wisconsin that I researched a couple of years ago and updated in January 2013. There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the use of artificial lights though so you might want to check law enforcement to see if it has been changed. When I did my research a couple of years ago I got two or three different interpretations from various officials who were supposed to be "in the know" in WI on the subject matter. Following is as accurate of an interpretion that I could get out of them in January 2013:
Night Hunting: Allowed, a flashlight may be used: 1) while shooting coyote, raccoon, fox, or unprotected species at the point of kill while hunting on foot, or 2) to find your way. Lights may not be used to shine or search for these animals. Flashlight is generally defined as a battery operated light designed to be carried and held by hand. Some areas may prohibit shining by local ordinance. Check with local Sheriff’s department or township officials for local shining restrictions.
Night Vision: Allowed, not listed as a prohibited device in the 2010 WI Small Game Hunting Regulations booklet. Per State regulations, the night vision device cannot be aided with any artificial light which includes infrared (IR) light. Therefore IR light emitting night vision scopes or devices are not legal for use in WI for shining but can be used at the point of kill and for navigational purposes. Above information verified by the Wisconsin DNR Law Enforcement 1/2013.
Website: www.dnr.state.wi.us
Phone: 608-266-2621
Night Hunting: Allowed, a flashlight may be used: 1) while shooting coyote, raccoon, fox, or unprotected species at the point of kill while hunting on foot, or 2) to find your way. Lights may not be used to shine or search for these animals. Flashlight is generally defined as a battery operated light designed to be carried and held by hand. Some areas may prohibit shining by local ordinance. Check with local Sheriff’s department or township officials for local shining restrictions.
Night Vision: Allowed, not listed as a prohibited device in the 2010 WI Small Game Hunting Regulations booklet. Per State regulations, the night vision device cannot be aided with any artificial light which includes infrared (IR) light. Therefore IR light emitting night vision scopes or devices are not legal for use in WI for shining but can be used at the point of kill and for navigational purposes. Above information verified by the Wisconsin DNR Law Enforcement 1/2013.
Website: www.dnr.state.wi.us
Phone: 608-266-2621
HTRN57
New member
Originally Posted By: MPHSo do you guys hunt at night for predators with lights like everybody does here in PA?
I'm from IL and do not hunt in WI......but I did do some research in 2011 on night hunting regulations in all 50 states and posted the results on my website. Some have changed slightly since that time and I've made some updates to reflect those changes. I have been trying to draw a wolf tag in WI though and have been in contact with law enforcement there to see if using infrared light with NV is legal. In general you can use artifical light but just to navigate or look for your downed animal at the point of kill. It is not legal to use artifical light (regardless if it is visible or invisibly such as infrared light) to spot or shine for the animal in WI.
PA on the other hand does allow you to use artificial light. Here are the results from my research on PA (back in 2011):
Night Hunting: Allowed, an artificial light may be used under the following conditions: a person hunting raccoons, skunks, opossums, bobcats, weasels, foxes, and coyotes on foot may use a handheld light or gun mounted light. Laser lights are prohibited.
Night Vision: Not Allowed, According to our Bureau of Wildlife Protection, night vision devices are specifically prohibited for hunting anything in Pennsylvania under the general prohibition against “Electronic Contrivances” as contained in Title 58 section 141.6 Illegal Devices subsection (6) Hunt or take wildlife through the use of an electronic device not permitted by commission regulation. The only exception is contained in Title 34 section 2308 (b) (i) Any archery sight or firearms scope which contains and uses any mechanical, photoelectric, ultraviolet, or solar powered device to solely illuminate the sight or crosshairs within the scope, which essentially makes any night vision scopes illegal as they do more than “solely illuminate the crosshairs.” Above information verified by the PA DNR.
Website: www.pgc.state.pa.us
Phone: 717-787-4250
I'm from IL and do not hunt in WI......but I did do some research in 2011 on night hunting regulations in all 50 states and posted the results on my website. Some have changed slightly since that time and I've made some updates to reflect those changes. I have been trying to draw a wolf tag in WI though and have been in contact with law enforcement there to see if using infrared light with NV is legal. In general you can use artifical light but just to navigate or look for your downed animal at the point of kill. It is not legal to use artifical light (regardless if it is visible or invisibly such as infrared light) to spot or shine for the animal in WI.
PA on the other hand does allow you to use artificial light. Here are the results from my research on PA (back in 2011):
Night Hunting: Allowed, an artificial light may be used under the following conditions: a person hunting raccoons, skunks, opossums, bobcats, weasels, foxes, and coyotes on foot may use a handheld light or gun mounted light. Laser lights are prohibited.
Night Vision: Not Allowed, According to our Bureau of Wildlife Protection, night vision devices are specifically prohibited for hunting anything in Pennsylvania under the general prohibition against “Electronic Contrivances” as contained in Title 58 section 141.6 Illegal Devices subsection (6) Hunt or take wildlife through the use of an electronic device not permitted by commission regulation. The only exception is contained in Title 34 section 2308 (b) (i) Any archery sight or firearms scope which contains and uses any mechanical, photoelectric, ultraviolet, or solar powered device to solely illuminate the sight or crosshairs within the scope, which essentially makes any night vision scopes illegal as they do more than “solely illuminate the crosshairs.” Above information verified by the PA DNR.
Website: www.pgc.state.pa.us
Phone: 717-787-4250