Local regulation of wild animals
Wis. Stat. § 29.038
in effect(1) In this section:
(a) “Local governmental unit” has the meaning given in s. 16.97 (7).
(b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county.
(2) No local governmental unit may enact any ordinance or adopt any regulation, resolution or other restriction for the purpose of regulating the hunting, fishing, trapping or management of wild animals, except as follows:
(a) A local governmental unit may enact an ordinance or adopt any regulation, resolution or other restriction that is authorized under this chapter.
(b) A local governmental unit may enact an ordinance or adopt any regulation, resolution or other restriction that restricts or prohibits access for hunting, fishing or trapping in any portion of land that it owns or leases.
(3)
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a local governmental unit may enact an ordinance or adopt a regulation, resolution or other restriction that has an incidental effect on hunting, fishing or trapping, but only if the primary purpose is to further public health or safety.
(b)
1. In this paragraph:
a. “Building” means a permanent structure used for human occupancy and includes a manufactured home, as defined in s. 101.91 (2).
b. “Restriction” means an ordinance, regulation, resolution, or other restriction enacted or adopted by a local governmental unit.
2. Except as provided in subd. 3., if a local governmental unit has in effect on or after July 14, 2015, a restriction that prohibits a person from hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow within the jurisdiction of that local governmental unit, the restriction does not apply and may not be enforced.
3. A local governmental unit may enact or adopt a restriction that does any of the following:
a. Prohibits a person from hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow within a specified distance, not to exceed 100 yards, from a building located on another person’s land. A restriction enacted or adopted under this subd. 3. a. shall provide that the restriction does not apply if the person who owns the land on which the building is located allows the hunter to hunt within the specified distance of the building.
b. Requires a person who hunts with a bow and arrow or crossbow to discharge the arrow or bolt from the respective weapon toward the ground.
(4) If the department determines that an ordinance, regulation, resolution or other restriction enacted or adopted by a local governmental unit exceeds the authority granted to local governmental units in this section, the department may issue a notice to the local governmental unit of the department’s intent to issue an order under this subsection. The department shall hold an informal hearing on the matter if a hearing is requested by the local governmental unit within 30 days after it receives the notice. The informal hearing is not a contested case under ch. 227. Following the hearing or following the failure of the local governmental unit to request a hearing within 30 days after it receives the notice, the department may issue an order declaring the ordinance, regulation, resolution or other restriction void.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/29.038Fetched: 10/7/2026