Wisconsin Budget Bill Expands Hunting and Outdoor Opportunities!

The Wisconsin state budget passed by the State Senate and Assembly on Tuesday, October 23 includes a $1 million dollars appropriation for the Outdoor Recreational Activities Land Acquisition Grant Program in 2008-09.  The Outdoor Recreational Activities Land Acquisition Grant Program provides grants to cities, villages, towns, counties, non-profit conservation organizations, and to Department or Natural Resources (DNR) for the purpose of purchasing land for approved outdoor recreational activities including hunting and fishing.  A five-member Managed Forest Land (MFL) Board will be created to administer the grant program.  No more than 10% of all the MFL money may be used to buy parcels of land less than 10 acres. 

The budget would also extend the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 program for another 10 years to fiscal year 2019-20.  A new NRA-backed provision of the stewardship program, administered by DNR, requires all land purchased with stewardship money to be open for hunting, fishing, and trapping, unless the Natural Resources Board determines a closure is necessary.  The Natural Resources Board is required to list all stewardship lands and lands closed to hunting and the reason for closure.  No more than 20% of stewardship funds may be used to purchase parcels of land less than 10 acres. 

Please contact Governor Jim Doyle (D) and respectfully urge him to approve the budget and allow more sportsmen to enjoy Wisconsin's outdoor heritage.  He can be reached by phone at (608) 266-1212 or use this form to send email.