Contact: Casey Langan, Director of Public Relations
608-828-5711
MADISON – The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation wants to make sure hunters and rural landowners are aware of Wisconsin’s trespass law for this fall’s hunting seasons.
“Good communications between hunters and rural landowners can help ensure a safe and enjoyable hunting season,” said Paul Zimmerman, Farm Bureau’s executive director of public affairs.
“Wisconsin’s trespass law states that you must have permission to hunt on someone’s land,” Zimmerman explained. “Some people still think that landowners must post a sign to prevent hunting on their land, but that law was changed in 1995. Today, you simply must have written or verbal permission to hunt on someone’s land.”
“If landowners are having issues with trespassers, they are to call their county sheriff’s office,” Zimmerman said. “DNR wardens are not the primary enforcement of the trespass law.”
The one exception to the trespass law (primarily found in northern Wisconsin) is the case of inholdings, which is private land that is surrounded by public land. In that situation, a landowner must post a sign to prevent hunting by the public.
“The role of the hunter is very important, as they are the primary tool that we have to manage our state’s deer herd,” Zimmerman said. “Rural landowners also have property rights that need to be respected. Adherence to the trespass law and open lines of communication will result in a successful hunt for all parties involved.”
