Hunting dogs triggering complaints

County police officials are seeing a increase in calls from property owners where dogs are running across their property and no permission was granted. Once contacted by law enforcement the hunters legitimize this behavior by stating 'their dogs can't read No Trespassing Signs'.

Wisconsin State Statue 174.042 states if a hunter is not able to call off the dog, the hunter is not maintaining control of the dog.

Many citizens are questioning why a small core of hunters have used their power to advocate for policies benefiting a very small percentage of hunters like the use of bear bait, hounding of wolves and a greater quota in wolf hunts. Hunters also get reimbursed if their dogs get injured or die during the hunt. One hunter received $10,000 for his dead dogs.

According to Citizen Resolution # 680623, 2022, drafted by John Borden, WI, Conservation Congress, reduces the hound training season pursuing black bears.

Currently up to 6 dogs pursue bears and other wildlife, until a bear finds safety in a tree, and the dogs' owner catches up to the pack, sometimes hours after start of the chase. Legally, a tired or overheated dog can be replaced with a fresh one and the chase continues.

The following is what he proposed: .Continuous physical pressure on the black bear is reduced with a shorter training season and spread of dogs.

.The potential for conflict at bait site between hound and wolves are reduced.

.Informs the DNR of the numbers of hunters, both resident and nonresident, without a tag, and hunter behavior.

.Conflict with property rights and law enforcement involvement is reduced.

Adam Kassulke former delegate of the WCC, 'WCC has the capability to function as it was created to be a stronger advocate for cleaner air, cleaner water and rivers'.

Like I told the DNR Warden, bear hunters that have records of trespassing are using their wives, grandmothers and grandchildren to come on your property to retrieve their dogs. Don't be fooled by this, they are hoping that you will find them less-threatening and not call the warden or police on them. Then the trespassing reports go down and no reports are recorded and they get a free pass.

I think it's the ultimate disservice to all Wisconsin Citizens when we are awakened at 6 AM by hunters and howling dogs trespassing on our property. We are fearful of small children playing on our property, for fear of being attacked. Hunting dogs are trained to attack and kill. Do you think your child/adult would have a chance surviving an attack? Think the outcome of a bear being cornered by dog when you or your child are in the cross hair of a bear being chased by dogs in your front yard.

Even the Conservation Congress who are pro-hunting is sounding the alarm that somethings going to have to change. Too many people are complaining about dogs and hunters trespassing on their property tying up police department resources.

Humanely yours — Kathalin Tuisl, Sheldon