Wis. Stat. § 29.971 — WI Code / Chapter 29 / Section 29.971
General penalty provisions.
Status: in_force

Any person who, for himself or herself, or by his or her agent or employee, or who, as agent or employee for another, violates this chapter shall be punished as follows:

(1)

(a) For the violation of any requirement of this chapter relating to fishing or fish dealing, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 except as provided under pars. (ag) , (ar) , (b) , and (c) and sub. (5m) .

(ag) For conducting a fishing tournament without a permit as required by the department, by a forfeiture of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000.

(ar) For participating in a fishing tournament and failing to comply with a term or condition imposed by a permit issued for that fishing tournament under s. 29.403 , by a forfeiture of not more than $500.

(b) For taking, transporting, acquiring, selling, purchasing, or possessing, or attempting to take, acquire, transport, sell, purchase, or possess, any fish, or failing to comply with any record-keeping requirement for fish, in violation of this chapter that has a value under par. (d) exceeding $300 but not exceeding $1,000, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both.

(c) A person taking, transporting, acquiring, selling, purchasing, or possessing, or attempting to take, acquire, transport, sell, purchase, or possess, any fish, or failing to comply with any record-keeping requirement for fish, in violation of this chapter is guilty of a Class I felony if the value of the fish under par. (d) exceeds $1,000.

(d)

1. In this paragraph, “average wholesale value” means the average purchase price paid by wholesale fish dealers on the date of a violation of this chapter as determined by the department after obtaining price information from 3 wholesale fish dealers in this state.

2. Salmon, trout, and noncommercial game fish shall be valued for the purposes of pars. (b) and (c) on a per-fish basis according to the dollar amounts specified under s. 29.977 (1) (a) and (i) to (L) .

3. Other species of commercial fish shall be valued on a per-pound basis according to the average wholesale value of the fish. The department shall determine the average wholesale value of the fish by averaging the price received by 3 different wholesale fish dealers in this state for that species of fish on or about the date of the violation.

4. For purposes of making charging and penalty determinations under pars. (b) and (c) , the value of fish from multiple violations committed by the same person in any 12-month period may be aggregated.

(e) In addition to any other penalty under this section, during the period of time that a person’s commercial fishing license is revoked under sub. (12) , the person may not engage in fishing on the water or ice in any manner, operate or assist in the operation of fishing gear or engage in the sale or transportation of fish. Any person holding a license under s. 29.519 (1m) who has that license revoked under sub. (12) may apply for that license for that part of the license year following the period of revocation and the department shall issue that license if all licensing criteria are met. The revoked license may not be issued to another person during the period of revocation.

(1g) For failure to hold a valid approval as required under this chapter for which a court imposes a penalty under sub. (1) (a) to (e) or (5m) , by the payment of a natural resources restitution surcharge equal to the amount of the statutory fee for the approval that was required and that should have been obtained.

(1m)

(a) For the violation of s. 29.537 , by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000, except as provided under pars. (b) and (c) .

(b) For possessing clams in violation of s. 29.537 , if the value of the clams under par. (d) exceeds $300 but does not exceed $1,000, by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both.

(c) A person possessing clams in violation of s. 29.537 is guilty of a Class I felony if the value of the clams under par. (d) exceeds $1,000.

(d) Clams shall be valued for the purpose of pars. (b) and (c) according to the current average wholesale value. In this paragraph, “average wholesale value” means the average price received by commercial clam shellers during the 30-day period prior to the date of violation.

(e) For any person holding any approval issued under this chapter, upon the person’s 2nd conviction within a 3-year period for violations of this chapter relating to clamming or commercial clamming, by the revocation of all of the person’s approvals. In addition, no commercial clamming license or permit may be issued to the person for at least one year after the date of conviction.

(2) For hunting or trapping without an approval required by this chapter:

(a) By a forfeiture of not more than $1,000; and

(c) By the payment of a natural resources restitution surcharge equal to the amount of the statutory fee for the approval which was required and should have been obtained.

(3) For the violation of any statutes or any department order relating to the hunting, taking, transportation or possession of game, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.

(3m) For unlawfully hunting a moose, by a forfeiture of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 and the mandatory revocation of all hunting approvals issued to the person. In addition, no hunting approval may be issued to the person for the time period specified by the court. The time period specified shall be not less than 3 years nor more than 5 years following the date of conviction under this subsection.

(4) For any violation of this chapter or any department order for which no other penalty is prescribed, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.

(5) For violation of s. 29.539 , except s. 29.539 (3m) , by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both. In addition, the court shall order the revocation of all hunting and sport fishing approvals issued to the person under this chapter and shall prohibit the issuance of any new hunting or sport fishing approvals under this chapter to the person for 5 years.

(5g) For violation of s. 29.541 , by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both. In addition, the court shall order the revocation of all hunting and sport fishing approvals issued to the person under this chapter and shall prohibit the issuance of any new hunting or sport fishing approvals under this chapter to the person for 3 years.

(5m) For the violation of this chapter relating to the taking or possession of lake sturgeon, by a fine of $1,500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both for each lake sturgeon illegally taken or possessed, and a mandatory 3-year revocation of all hunting, fishing and trapping approvals issued to the person under this chapter.

(7) For the violation of s. 29.307 (1) , by a fine of not more than $1,000 for the first violation and not more than $2,000 for subsequent violations or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, and by a mandatory 3-year revocation of all hunting, fishing, and trapping approvals. An aircraft used in the violation is a public nuisance.

(9) For the violation of any statute or any department rule or order relating to the registration of any wild animal, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.

(9m) For the improper use or validation of any carcass tag, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.

(11) For hunting deer without the required approval, during the closed season, with the aid of artificial light or with the aid of an aircraft, for the snaring of or setting snares for deer, or for the possession or control of a deer carcass in violation of s. 29.055 or 29.347 , by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both. In addition, the court shall order the revocation of all approvals issued to the person under this chapter and shall prohibit the issuance of any new approval under this chapter to the person for 3 years.

(11g)

(a) For hunting elk without a valid elk hunting license, for possessing an elk that does not have a validated elk carcass tag, for possessing an elk during the closed season, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $15,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both for the first violation, or by a fine of not more than $20,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year or both for any subsequent violation. In addition, the court shall revoke all hunting and trapping approvals issued to the person under this chapter and shall prohibit the issuance of any new hunting and trapping approvals under this chapter to the person for 5 years.

(b) Except as provided under par. (a) , for the violation of any provision of this chapter or rules promulgated under this chapter relating to elk hunting or to the validation of an elk carcass tag or registration of an elk, by a forfeiture of not more than $5,000.

(11m)

(a) For shooting, shooting at, killing, taking, catching, or possessing a bear without a valid Class A bear license, or for possessing a bear that does not have a validated carcass tag or possessing a bear during the closed season, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both for the first violation, or by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 9 months or both for any subsequent violation, and, in addition, the court shall revoke all hunting approvals issued to the person under this chapter and shall prohibit the issuance of any new hunting approval under this chapter to the person for 3 years. This paragraph does not apply to a person who shoots at or kills a bear as authorized under s. 29.184 (3) (br) 4.

(b) Except as provided under par. (a) , for the violation of any provision of this chapter relating to bear hunting, to the activities specified in s. 29.184 (3) (br) 1. to 4. , or to the validation of a bear carcass tag or registration of a bear, by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.

(c) Any person who is convicted of hunting bear or engaging in any of the activities under s. 29.184 (3) (br) with a dog that is not in compliance with s. 29.184 (4) or the licensing requirements under s. 174.053 or 174.07 may have his or her Class A bear hunting license revoked; and if the license is revoked, no Class A bear hunting license may be issued to the person for a period of 3 years after the date of conviction.

(11p)

(a) For entering the den of a hibernating black bear and harming the bear, by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 9 months or both.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if the activity subject to the penalty under par. (a) has been specifically approved by the department and is necessary to conduct research activities.

(11r)

(a) For the violation of s. 29.083 (2) (a) , by a forfeiture of not more than $500, except as provided in par. (am) .

(am)

1. For the violation of s. 29.083 (2) (a) by a person who violated s. 29.083 (2) (a) one time within the 5 years immediately preceding the conviction for the current violation, by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 90 days or both.

2. For the violation of s. 29.083 (2) (a) by a person who violated s. 29.083 (2) (a) 2 or more times within the 5 years immediately preceding the conviction for the current violation, by a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 9 months or both.

(b) For the violation of s. 29.083 (2) (b) , by a forfeiture of not more than $1,000.

(11v) For failing to reimburse the department as required under s. 29.404 (3) , by a forfeiture of not more than $100.

(12) In addition to any other penalty for violation of this chapter or any department order made under this chapter, the court may revoke any or all approvals granted under this chapter for a period of up to 3 years. If a person is convicted of reckless or highly negligent conduct in the operation or handling of a firearm, airgun, or bow and arrow in violation of s. 940.08 , 940.24 , or 941.20 and either death or bodily harm to another results from that violation, the court shall revoke every approval issued to that person under this chapter and shall provide a fixed period during which no new approval may be issued to the person. If no death or bodily harm to another results from the violation, the court may revoke any approval issued to that person under this chapter and may provide a fixed period during which no new approval may be issued to the person.

(13) No penalty prescribed in any section of this chapter shall be held to be diminished because the violation for which it is prescribed falls also within the scope of a more general prohibition.

(14) In any prosecution under this section it is not necessary for the state to allege or prove that the animals were not farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, farm-raised game birds, wild animals subject to regulation under ch. 169 , or domestic animals, that they were not taken for scientific purposes, or that they were taken or in possession or under control without a required approval. The person claiming that these animals were farm-raised deer, farm-raised fish, farm-raised game birds, wild animals subject to ch. 169 , or domestic animals, that they were taken for scientific purposes or that they were taken or in possession or under control under the required approval, has the burden of proving these facts.

History: 1975 c. 365 ss. 45 , 50 ; 1979 c. 34 , 150 , 175 , 190 , 355 ; 1981 c. 20 , 236 , 243 , 391 ; 1983 a. 27 ; 1983 a. 80 s. 9 ; 1983 a. 114 s. 9 ; 1983 a. 192 , 209 , 419 , 520 , 538 ; 1985 a. 29 , 36 , 270 , 271 , 272 , 289 , 332 ; 1987 a. 379 ; 1989 a. 190 , 336 ; 1991 a. 39 , 269 ; 1993 a. 137 ; 1995 a. 59 , 79 ; 1997 a. 1 , 27 ; 1997 a. 248 ss. 714 to 722 ; Stats. 1997 s. 29.971; 1997 a. 283 ss. 20 to 23 ; 1999 a. 9 , 32 ; 2001 a. 56 , 108 , 109 ; 2003 a. 139 , 249 ; 2005 a. 288 ; 2009 a. 276 ; 2011 a. 28 , 257 ; 2015 a. 55 , 89 , 346 ; 2023 a. 115 .