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Airguns for big game hunting are among six outdoors-related bills signed into Wisconsin law

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Airguns for big game hunting are among six outdoors-related bills signed into Wisconsin law



Increased aid for snowmobile trails and a change in state parks stamps among other measures signed by Gov. Tony Evers

Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday signed 15 bills into law, including six related to hunting, fishing or outdoor recreation.

Arguably the most notable was Senate Bill 586, now Wisconsin Act 115, which will allow hunters in the state to use airguns during any season open to firearms.

Since state rules for many years allowed airguns for hunting small game such as gray squirrels and cottontail rabbits, the major impact of Act 115 is to expand the use of airguns to include big game hunting in Wisconsin, including white-tailed deer, black bear and elk.

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The law defines an airgun as “a weapon originally manufactured to expel one or more metal projectiles by the expansion of compressed air.”

The legislation received lots of support and essentially no opposition. Wisconsin now is among at least 29 states that allow airguns for big game hunting, according to Mitch King, president of the Airgun Sporting Association, a trade group promoting expanded use of airguns across the nation.

Proponents tout the quiet, clean operation and lack of recoil of airguns. Most models are designed for hunting big game at ranges of less than 100 yards; centerfire rifles have much longer effective ranges.

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In the Midwest, states that allow airguns for deer hunting include Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Act 115 passed easily because it was restricted to use of airguns during Wisconsin’s firearm hunting seasons; versions of the proposal introduced in previous years would have allowed “airbows” to be used during archery seasons and were opposed by several groups, including the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association.

Among other bills signed by Evers, SB 34, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 109, establishes the full weekend prior to the third Monday in January as “free fishing weekend” so it lands just before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.

The governor also signed SB 136 (Act 110) to increase the cap on county supplemental snowmobile trail maintenance aid from the current limit of no more than three times the per mile maximum to no more than five times the per mile maximum. It is expected to increase the supplemental aid limit from the current rate of $900 per mile to $1,500 per mile.

Evers also signed SB 411 (Act 112) which allows a person to transport a dressed or filleted game fish from inland or outlying waters if they provide a physical or digital photograph upon request that proves the time and date of the photograph and physical evidence of the fish’s length prior to the head and tail being removed.

In addition, the governor inked SB 415 (Act 113) to make DNR annual vehicle admission receipts such as state park stamps good for 12 months from the date of issue, rather than the calendar year. The change will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

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And Evers signed SB 587 (Act 116) to statutorily define a muzzle-loading firearm as a firearm that shoots a projectile loaded exclusively from the muzzle.

For more details, visit legis.wisconsin.gov.

Leftover turkey tag sales begin this week

The DNR this week will begin selling bonus harvest authorizations for the 2024 spring turkey season. As in past years, the tags will be offered first with a designated sale date for each zone, then all remaining authorizations will be available for purchase.

Sale dates are Monday for Zone 1, Tuesday for Zone 2, Wednesday for Zone 3, Thursday for Zone 4 and Friday for Zone 5 and Zone 7. No permits are available for Zone 6. All remaining tags will go on sale Saturday.

Sales are offered through the Go Wild license portal and at all license sales agents. Sales begin at 10 a.m. and run through midnight each day. Bonus harvest authorizations are $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents.

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Visit dnr.wi.gov for more information.



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Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute

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Couple asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear Brewers 50-50 raffle prize dispute


(WLUK) – A couple challenging the decision not to award them a 50-50 raffle prize at a Milwaukee Brewers game asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case, calling it one of “statewide importance.”

Matthew and Annette Flynn purchased ten raffle tickets at the July 7, 2023, game, and held the winning number which was originally selected for $13,000. According to court records, the raffle rules in effect at the time required the winning ticket holder to claim the prize at a designated 50-50 table by the end of the top of the seventh inning. Flynn said she did not see the winning number displayed or hear it announced and was directed by stadium personnel to another location before making her way to the claim table. Officials determined she did not arrive before the deadline and selected a new winning ticket.

The Flynns sued, but the circuit and appeals courts ruled the raffle’s rules gave the foundation sole discretion to determine the official winner and that the rules clearly stated a participant who failed to claim the prize within the specified time would be disqualified.

In a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court filed Wednesday, the Flynn’s asked the high court to take the case, saying the decision “affects not only the parties to this action but potentially every Wisconsin resident who participates in charitable raffles and similar gaming activities.”

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“This case presents significant questions concerning contractual discretion, discovery, judicial review of charitable gaming decisions, and the treatment of digital evidence within Wisconsin’s appellate system. For these reasons, Petitioners respectfully request that this Court grant review of the decision of the Court of Appeals,” the petition states.

The high court does not have to take the case. At some point, it will vote on if to take it. If it does, a months-long process to review the issues will begin. If it does not, the appeals court ruling would stand.

According to the rules posted on the Milwaukee Brewers’ website, the deadline to claim the prize is no longer during the game the tickets were purchased.

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“The Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number may claim the Prize at the 50/50 Table located on the Loge (2nd) level concourse behind Sections 216/217 until such time as the Ballpark officially closes to fans after the end of the game. If the Participant in possession of the Raffle ticket with the potential winning number does not claim the Prize by the time the Ballpark closes to fans after the end of the game, that Participant may still claim the Prize within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period for the respective baseball game by contacting the Raffle hotline (414-902-4334). A Prize that is not claimed within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the Raffle Period will be awarded in compliance with applicable regulations,” the site states.



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Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer

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Wisconsin DOJ probes fatal shooting by Oneida County officer


ONEIDA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) — The Wisconsin DOJ is investigating an officer-involved death that occurred on the morning of June 17 in the town of Lake Tomahawk.

According to a press release, around 10:30 a.m., two Oneida officers arrived at Lumen Lake Drive to arrest a subject in a felony investigation.

Upon contact with the officers, the subject brandished and shot a firearm. One officer shot the subject in return.

EMS pronounced the subject dead on the scene. No members of law enforcement or the public were injured.

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Both officers will be placed on administrative assignment, per the agency’s policy.

WFRV will update this story as needed.



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Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know

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Body cam shows Wisconsin officer shooting at stray dogs 16 times. What to know


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A Thiensville officer fired 16 shots at two stray dogs, killing one, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been tracking the fallout.

The officer, Richard C. McCormick, resigned during an internal investigation. The shooting is now under review by the Ozaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

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Here’s what to know about the case and what to do if you encounter a stray or lost dog:

What brought the Thiensville officer to the Mequon intersection?

On April 23, 2026, Mequon police responded to a call shortly after 1 a.m. for two loose dogs at Highland and Cedarburg Roads. The Mequon officers decided to return in the morning, when they could seek help from the humane society. 

About two hours later, McCormick saw the dogs at the same intersection, outside his jurisdiction. McCormick stopped and tried to capture them. He was not responding to a new 911 call or other request for help. He was aware of the earlier call about the dogs.

What happened during the shooting?

Body camera footage obtained by the Journal Sentinel showed the dogs bounding toward McCormick after he opened a rear door of his squad.

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The officer fired at least two shots near the ground, in what he later said was an attempt to scare the dogs. Video showed the dogs running away and McCormick continuing to fire across the road, even after one of the dogs collapsed on the ground and howled.

Six minutes later, McCormick fired a final shot from close range to euthanize the dog on the ground. The other dog escaped into the woods.

A national expert on police-dog encounters told the Journal Sentinel there were “valid concerns” about the shooting, noting that McCormick continued firing even as the dogs ran away from him.

What happened to the second dog?

The shooting came to light after three women tracked and safely trapped the second dog that had been wounded.

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The dog, whom they named Ranger, had a bullet in his hip.

Ranger underwent surgery and was still receiving care at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus as of June 17.

The rescue volunteers – Danielle Dietz, Alicia Hegedus and Karen Bohlmann – pieced together what happened to Ranger and the other dog, whom they nicknamed BD, using public records requests.

They learned that Ranger had been out for 17 days since he had been shot.

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What should you do if you encounter a lost or stray dog?

Angela Speed, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Humane Society, offered the following suggestions:

  • Be cautious. Fearful, injured or ill animals can be reactive when confronted.
  • Watch the dog’s body language carefully.
  • If the dog is obviously friendly and approachable, check for a collar with information. If an owner cannot be located, take the dog to a local animal shelter.
  • If you have safety concerns, call a local non-emergency police or sheriff’s office line.

The volunteers who rescued Ranger have years of experience tracking and safely capturing stray or missing dogs, on their own and with local rescue groups. They offered additional suggestions:

  • Note the location where you saw the dog and take a photo, if possible.
  • Share that information in local neighborhood groups online, which can include Facebook, NextDoor or Ring.
  • Look up nearby lost dog and recovery organizations online and contact those groups for help.
  • Never chase a dog.



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