Judge Lets Tribes Hunt Deer at Night in Northern Wisconsin

The tribes argued the DNR allowed night hunting for wolves in 2012, arguing safety concerns were not part of that approval.

Lac Courte Oreilles Band Of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Michael Isham, Jr.is also Chair of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. The regulations mandate that hunters take a 12-hour training course; hit a 6¼-inch bull’s eye from 100 yards eight out of 10 times in the dark; ensure hunting sites have earthen backstops; and submit shooting plans with safe zones of fire.

Tuesday’s ruling was in response to an October 2014 decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which remanded the case to U.S. District Court in western Wisconsin.

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. At least four states – Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington – allow night deer hunting by tribal members. Night-time deer hunting is already permitted on a few reservations.

The state has long banned hunting deer at night for safety reasons.

The DNR also said in its statement that due to the court’s prescribed timing of the hunt beginning November 1, they are working to inform the public about tribal night hunting to minimize potential safety issues. She says, “And they are prepared to institute a highly regulated, safe, night hunt. we’re especially pleased because it gives an opportunity to our tribal members another opportunity to get the necessary venison they are after”.

Crabb issued an order Tuesday saying the tribes’ regulations are adequate.

Night hunting will not be allowed during the state’s general nine-day gun hunt around Thanksgiving.

Lee Fahrney, a spokesman for the Conservation Congress, a group of sportsmen who advise the DNR, declined comment on Crabb’s decision.