Wild animal protection surcharges
Wis. Stat. § 29.983
in effect(1) Levy of wild animal protection assessment.
(a) If a court imposes a fine or forfeiture for a violation of a provision of this chapter or an order issued under this chapter for the unlawful killing, wounding, catching, taking, trapping, or possession of a wild animal specified in par. (b), or any part of such a wild animal, the court may impose a wild animal protection surcharge under ch. 814 that equals the amount specified for the wild animal under par. (b).
(b) The amount of the wild animal protection surcharge imposed under ch. 814 shall be as follows:
1. For any wild animal that is an endangered species protected under s. 29.604, $875.
1m. Any elk, $2,000.
2. For any moose, fisher, prairie chicken, or sand hill crane, $262.50.
3. For any bear, wild turkey or wild swan, $175.
4. For any bobcat, fox, wolf, beaver, or otter, $87.50.
5. For any deer, coyote, raccoon or mink, $43.75.
6. For any sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse, spruce hen, wild duck, coot, wild goose or brant, $26.25.
7. For any pheasant, gray partridge, quail, rail, Wilson’s snipe, woodcock or shore bird, or protected song bird or harmless bird, $17.50.
8. For any muskrat, rabbit or squirrel, $8.75.
9. For any muskellunge or lake sturgeon, $43.75.
10. For any largemouth or smallmouth bass, $26.25.
11. For any brook, rainbow, brown, or steel head trout, $26.25.
12. For any walleye pike, northern pike, or any other game fish not mentioned in subds. 9. to 11., $8.75.
13. For any game or fur-bearing animal or bird not mentioned in subds. 1m. to 8., $17.50.
(d) If a fine or forfeiture is suspended in whole or in part, the wild animal protection surcharge shall be reduced in proportion to the suspension.
(e) If any deposit is made for an offense to which this section applies, the person making the deposit shall also deposit a sufficient amount to include the wild animal protection surcharge under this section. If the deposit is forfeited, the amount of the wild animal protection surcharge shall be transmitted to the secretary of administration under par. (f). If the deposit is returned, the wild animal protection surcharge shall also be returned.
(f) The clerk of the court shall collect and transmit to the county treasurer the wild animal protection surcharge and other amounts required under s. 59.40 (2) (m). The county treasurer shall then make payment to the secretary of administration as provided in s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2.
(2) Deposit of wild animal protection surcharge funds. The secretary of administration shall deposit the moneys collected under this section into the conservation fund.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/29.983Fetched: 10/7/2026