Governor Doyle Vetoes AB 371

This Bill really doesnt' have anything to do with fishing, however it could affect us as fishermen some day and that's why I thought I had to say something about it.

I attended a Club Meeting last night and one of the speakers mentioned that Governor Doyle vetoed a Bill affecting Wisconsin Bear Hunters. You could tell in his voice that he didn't really care about the bear hunters and didn't really know much about the Bill itself. It was his opportunity to get in another slam against the current State Administration.

Please let the record be set straight. This Legislation needed to be stopped. The Bear Hunting issues in this Bill were voted on at the Spring Hearings last month and were defeated by an overwhelming margin. As much as 82% in one County.

That means the majority of the public have spoken. By attempting to get these changes legislated through and by-bass the rule making procedure is a slap in the face to the rest of the Sportsmen in this state.

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) and other groups protested to Governor Doyle to Veto this legislation and he listened to us. I say us because we too are a member of the WWF. I would also personally like to thank the Governor for listening to the majority of the Wisconsin Sportsmen.

I hold no grudge against the Bear Hunters and their organizations. The rules themselves do not affect us in this scenario, but it's the way the process was developed after being defeated could very well hurt us in the future if the proposed rule affects fishing.

Please read the Governor Doyle letter below:
(you can click on each page to enlarge them some)

John E. Durben