Violators are often active this time of year because they perceive that wardens are busy in the fall due to the many open hunting seasons and preparations for the regular gun deer season. While Lee acknowledges that fall and spring are busy seasons for wardens, it is the assistance and cooperation of the public that is often key to apprehending violators any time of the year. No matter how busy our wardens are, they always find time to follow up on solid tips of poaching violations. The public can help by calling their local warden directly, or through the county sheriff's office or state patrol office, if they hear shots after seeing people using lights to view deer at night. It is illegal under Wisconsin laws to shine for deer or other wildlife between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. from September 15 through December 31., and it is against the law to shine deer or other wildlife at any time while in possession of firearms or bows.
Some municipalities have even more restrictive shining laws.
The call is toll-free, and callers may remain anonymous. Walleye reproduction is highly variable from year to year and from lake to lake, explains Steve Hewett, a DNR fisheries ecologist. The excellent reproduction in the Lake Winnebago system is likely a response to improved climatic conditions and work by sports clubs and the DNR to improve walleye spawning habitat. The below average reproduction on northern lakes is likely a response to the late spring. However, while reproduction was low in northern lakes this year, the two previous years northern lakes experienced very good walleye reproduction, Hewett says.