Mead to Host Meeting on Experimental Hunting Regs
For the City-Times
The Mead Wildlife Area will host a post 2012 waterfowl season meeting to discuss experimental hunting regulations in effect for the past three years and whether these special rules should become permanent.
The public meeting will be held at the Mead Visitor Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6. Mead is located between Stevens Point and Marshfield, five miles north of U.S. 10 on County Highway S.
“These regulations were produced and recommended by central Wisconsin waterfowl hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who attended meetings in 2007 and 2008 to discuss ways to improve the overall waterfowling experience on the Mead Wildlife Area,” said Brian Peters, wildlife supervisor at Mead.
Following these citizen recommendations, the Natural Resources Board approved temporary regulation changes to prohibit early waterfowl hunting seasons on the property, with the exception of the youth hunt, to reduce disturbance of waterfowl using Mead as a refuge. The board also established waterfowl resting periods – a 1 p.m. closure for 16 days after opening weekend – to provide some relief from hunting pressure.
The experimental regulations went into effect in the fall of 2010 and reached the “sunset” date with the close of the 2012 waterfowl season. During annual reviews of these regulations, the public has shown strong approval for the changes.
Waterfowl hunters and others with an interest will have the opportunity to support the continuation of these regulations and a rules process that could eventually make them permanent. More information about this process will provided at the meeting.
Other season issues and items will be open for discussion as well.
For further details, please visit the Mead Wildlife Area’s Visitor Center, visit www.meadwildlife.org, or call 715-457-6771.