MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Nearly 75 Chippewa tribal hunters have qualified to hunt deer at night.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission last
week authorized Chippewa tribal hunters to go after deer in the dark
across northern Wisconsin. Hunters must obtain a marksmanship
proficiency rating from their respective tribes before they can go out.
Commission spokeswoman Sue Erickson says 74 hunters from five tribes
have qualified.
The tribes plan to open night hunting about an hour after sunset Monday evening.
The state Department of Natural Resources has asked a
federal judge to block the night hunt. The agency says it's too
dangerous. Erickson says the tribes plan to file a reply Monday arguing
the state allows wolf hunters to hunt after dark.
NEW INFORMATION: Chippewa to judge: night deer hunting is safe
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Chippewa tribes are
trying to persuade a federal judge they have the right to hunt at night
and the practice is safe.
The commission
that oversees the tribes' off-reservation rights authorized tribal
hunters to hunt deer after dark starting this week, provoking a legal
battle with the state Department of Natural Resources, which prohibits
night deer hunting out of safety concerns.
The tribes on Tuesday asked U.S. District Judge Barbara
Crabb to block the DNR from enforcing the prohibition on tribal hunters.
The tribes argue they have the right to give their members more harvest
opportunities, the state allows hunters to kill wolves at night and
tribal hunters must meet stringent safety requirements to get night
permits.
A DNR spokesman didn't immediately return a message.
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