Aldo Leopold, among other conservationists, had a unique vision for protecting the natural resources and wildlife of Wisconsin. In the wake of the unprecedented decimation of bison, elk, turkeys, beaver, cougar, fisher, wolverine, marten, passenger pigeons and wolves in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the citizen group known as the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) was formed. The WCC is a citizen-elected advisory board, which makes Wisconsin the only state to fund the election of delegates that represents a cross-section of outdoor enthusiasts. The purpose of the WCC is to represent the views of Wisconsin citizens to the state’s Natural Resources Board (NRB).
Over the last few decades, the WCC has been usurped by consumptive users (i.e. hunters, trappers) of our natural resources; leaving non-consumptive users (wildlife watchers, hikers etc.) out of the loop. Consumptive users of our natural resources have historically held fast to the notion that “hunters pay for wildlife management,” further encouraging a sense of entitlement. However, when federal land programs are put into the mix of wildlife conservation today, the non-hunting public contributes an incredible 94% of the funding nationwide for wildlife conservation and management (Smith and Molde 2014). This is not surprising given that hunters comprise a waning number of less than 5% of the U.S. population.
In 2019, only 3,402 individuals attended the WCC Spring hearings in person. Instead, many participants chose to engage with the WCC using an online voting option, which 7,310 people used to vote on spring 2019 Conservation Congress resolutions. While voting online is an option, one must attend the meetings in person to vie for a position as a delegate and/or to present a resolution.
I would like to call attention to the upcoming WCC Spring hearings to encourage attendance, to seek a position as a delegate and/or to consider presenting a resolution. The meetings are located in every county in Wisconsin; the second Monday in April of every year. Historically, some of the more controversial resolutions presented have been feral cat, mute swan, mourning dove, sandhill crane, wolf and albino deer hunting.
Question #20 in the 2020 WCC Spring Conservation Congress hearing poses an important question for public input. The question proposes badgers could be trapped and harvested (killed) for 3 years to study their populations. Badgers, an elusive nocturnal mammal, live in unknown numbers throughout the state. The badger was named the official state animal of Wisconsin in 1957. One has to consider if there is any merit in the trapping and killing of an animal who is rarely seen and may have a small population for "study."
In April 2019, I presented a resolution banning chocolate in bear bait to the Jackson County Conservation Congress who voted in favor of the resolution. The chocolate ban resolution was then forwarded to the WCC Bear Committee and to the floor of the Conservation Congress where the resolution was rejected. Chocolate in bear bait was addressed in the Wisconsin Black Bear Management Plan for 2019-2029 with the acknowledgement that chocolate in bear bait has been responsible for bear deaths in Wisconsin, Michigan and New Hampshire. Theobromine found in chocolate has also killed raccoon, rabbits, dogs, cats, horses, cows, pigs, coyotes, red fox, and poultry. Death by toxic chocolate poisoning in animals is prolonged and occurs slowly over a number of days. Despite the documented adverse effects, Wisconsin will continue to allow chocolate in bear bait, but will continue to study the effects. Bear baiting occurs throughout Wisconsin for six months of the year with all wildlife documented feeding at bait stations. Michigan and New Hampshire have banned chocolate in bear bait.
Is the term "study" a new catch phrase for legitimizing an action which may be considered questionable for wildlife well-being, but serves the hunting/trapping public?
It is important to attend your WCC meeting on April 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in your county of residence. Please refer to: https://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/springhearing.html for information on meeting locations, resolution instructions and how to become a delegate to the WCC.
"We have had the power all along."
We must look within ourselves, be willing to step outside of our comfort zone and to shake off apathy for the greater good. Our presence as grassroots environmental advocates must be felt and heard to facilitate a change in the status quo.
Note: While I presently serve as a WCC delegate for my county, my views are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the WCC.
Written by Diane Cain. Thumbnail photo courtesy of Sally Longstaff.