New Vehicle-Killed Wild Animal Permit Process

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Written by Conservation Warden John Welke

This article is provided to information on the new vehicle-killed wild animal permit process.

As you may already know, the state has changes the process for the public to get a Vehicle-Killed Wild Animal Permit when a local law enforcement agency wasn’t on scene or couldn’t respond to tag the animal. Based on the transition to tele-check registration and elimination of registration stations, the DNR now has an interim system to fill this void for the public and law enforcement agencies.

Starting on April 1, 2015 the Hotline Dispatchers in the Madison call center will have the ability to authorize car-kill deer, turkey and bear permits over the phone. Citizens who are requesting a permit can call the DNR non-emergency dispatch line at 608-267-7691. The line is staffed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Calls received after hours will route to a voicemail and the authorization and when applicable a permit will be issued the next morning.

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Business Impact

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Written by Kevin Blank

The impact of CWD won’t be known until sometime next year when the deer hunting season is over. There are many different ways that taxidermists will be affected by CWD and not all taxidermists will be affected the same way. Deer hunting alone is a one billion dollar industry in Wisconsin, while deer taxidermy is considered the bread and butter work for many taxidermists. Some of the ways taxidermists will be affected are listed below:

• Because of the number of hunting license is down 22% in Wisconsin right now, that means less bucks will be harvested and sent to the taxidermists.
• Because of hunters having their deer tested for CWD, having their deer mounted, and not hunting locally, the workload of deer head mounting could be shifted to other area’s of the state than normally seen. This could reduce or increase your workload.
• Because of the extra work and costs in handling the deer for mounting, this could raise the costs of having a deer head mounted. Some hunters may not want to pay the extra cost for mounting.

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The Buying and Selling of Bear Skins In Wisconsin

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Written by Leonard Gums

In early October, I read with interest a discussion that appeared on the Taxidermy Forums.

I am assuming that this was a Wisconsin taxidermist trying to sell a Wisconsin black bear life-size skin without the skull. Jim Kimball, a Wisconsin Taxidermist Association (WTA) member informed the taxidermist that this was illegal to sell in Wisconsin without the skull attached. I read with interest as other taxidermists, some from Wisconsin, tried to inform Kimball that he was wrong and that this person could legally sell the skin without the skull. Well, Kimball was correct in his assessment and I will explain.

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Taxidermist Precautions

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Written by Kevin Blank

When handling deer from CWD testing areas:

• Wear rubber, latex, or other suitable gloves when caping or skinning out deer, and when cleaning the skull for an antler or European skull mount. You may also feel inclined to wear safety glasses, rubber boots, and a protective garment in your work area while caping or skinning a deer to help prevent body tissue particles from getting on your clothing and to help prevent spreading particles outside your work area.
• When taking in a deer that has not already been skinned out for processing, be sure to handle the hide and carcass as if it were your own. Ask if the deer is to be tested for CWD, as the customer has only three days from harvesting their deer to get the head back to the collection or registration station for testing.

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