| nsin State Assembly passed Bill 179. This bill reads | | | | challenged persons and communicate them to the |
| “relating to: being physically in possession of a | | | | Department. |
| firearm, bow, or crossbow while hunting captive deer | | | | - To advance research and design, policy and |
| or other captive wild animals. This bill is intended to | | | | legislative changes to improve accessibility of agency |
| stop the surge of Internet hunting in Wisconsin. | | | | programs and properties. |
| A Texas businessman owns a web site that allows | | | | - To communicate with individuals and other |
| people to shoot game animals on his ranch. This is | | | | organizations and agencies with similar purposes in a |
| done with specially mounted cameras on rifles. The | | | | collaborative process to improve accessibility |
| “hunter” can view the entire process | | | | The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is |
| online and tell the person holding the rifle to shoot live | | | | also part of a nationwide program named |
| game on his ranch. He claims the site was intended | | | | “Open the Outdoors”. "Open the |
| for disabled people so that they can also enjoy | | | | Outdoors" is a nationwide effort to provide disabled |
| hunting and target shooting. | | | | individuals with a user-friendly means of accessing |
| Generally in Wisconsin, disabled persons are given the | | | | recreation opportunities. |
| opportunity to hunt and enjoy the outdoor | | | | The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is |
| experience. The Wisconsin Department of Natural | | | | committed to providing greater access and more |
| Resources objective is to provide a variety of | | | | programs for persons with disabilities. The intent is to |
| hunting, fishing, and recreational use permits designed | | | | make it easier for disabled individuals to hunt, fish and |
| to help people with disabilities enjoy the | | | | pursue other outdoor activities. |
| state’s natural resources. | | | | Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Wisconsin’s Disabled Advisory Council for the | | | | Web Site. |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has 4 | | | | Supporters of this bill include sportsmen who believe |
| main objectives. | | | | hunting is being outdoors and being an actual part of |
| - To advise the Department of Natural Resources on | | | | the hunting experience and that using the Internet |
| matters pertaining to the accessibility of all | | | | isn’t hunting at all. |
| department programs and services by physically | | | | At this time, at lease 14 other states are working on |
| challenged persons. | | | | similar legislation for preventing Internet hunting. |
| - To identify and evaluate needs of physically | | | | |