Court Ruling Allows Lake Superior Chippewa To Hunt Deer At Night

Despite concerns raised by the Wisconsin DNR over public safety, the Federal 7th Circuit Court has chose to allow tribal night hunting starting November first.

At least four states – Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington – allow night deer hunting by tribal members. The code would require tribal hunters to take a certification course, hunt in a surveyed location, file a shooting plan, use a light and shoot only in an approved lane.

It covers hunting by tribe members across a large part of northern Wisconsin in a territory they ceded to the USA government in the 19th century before Wisconsin became a state. “This is giving (the tribes) an expanded opportunity and it is part of their rights”. The agency said it is poised to work with the tribes at all levels to ensure compliance with the night hunting regulations and to monitor the harvest. The tribes also presented their new safety regulations to the judge for approval.

Chippewa tribes in Wisconsin will be allowed to hunt deer at night with firearms after they persuaded a federal judge to reverse her 1991 ruling that found the practice was unsafe. On April 20, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the state’s petition to let the 1991 ban stay in place, returning the case to the District Court. Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission spokesperson Sue Erickson says the tribes are pleased with the ruling.

“Now, with the benefit of 24 years of state experience with night hunting, the tribes have been able to show that the prohibition on off-reservation night deer hunting is no longer necessary for public safety purposes, when properly regulated”, the judge wrote. State Department of Natural Resources officials say the order means the tribal night hunt can proceed.