This information is forwarded to you from Michael McFadzen, board member of the Wisconsin Nordic Network and Nordic ski representative on the state trails council.
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From: "Michael McFadzen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WINN-Interest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Fw: newsletterlogos8.24.01.doc
Date: Tue, Oct 30, 2001, 8:48 PM
Dear Skier Activists:
There are two important opportunities I pitch to you today.
1) Within the next 10 days the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly Committes
will be finalizing the permanent Deer Hunt Rules for 2002 and beyond
(WM-40). These rules include an annual four day T-zone firearm season in
early to mid December. If this part of the rule is adopted, there will be
permanent implications to early season cross-country skiing.
I ask that you contact both Assemblymen Johnsrud and Senator Baumgart
(chairs of the Assembly and SenateNatural Resource Committees) and urge them
to oppose WM-40. You can reach both Johnsrud and Baumgart; as well as
identify and contact your local legislator at http://www.legis.state.us , or
call the Legislative Hotline at 800-362-9472.
[Below is a statement prepared by McFadzen for your reference]
2) The DNR is planning 2002 as Year of the Trail. This will be very
similar to 2000 Year of the Park, which got tremendous visibility and press.
For those of you who plan or know people who organize nordic ski events,
I've attached: newsletterlogos. This document contains an application to
apply for Year of the Trails events. If your event is accepted, you get lots
of free press, listing on state web sites and maybe the Gov will show up. So
far there are very few nordic ski events.
Mike
Natural Resources Board
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
STATEMENT OF OPPOSITION TO
PROPOSED DECEMBER T-ZONE HUNT
I am here today to testify on behalf of two organizations that represent the interests of recreation and tourism in the state of Wisconsin. The Governor�s State Trails Council members are appointed by Governor Thompson to four year terms and represent the user groups of hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, ATVs, people with disabilities, DOT, as well as tourism and business. Our charge is to advise and help guide the Wisconsin DNR on trails issues.
My remarks today are also on behalf of Wisconsin Nordic Network (WINN) This not-for- profit organization represents cross-country skiers in Wisconsin. As the DNR looks to modify and extend the firearm deer hunting season; and its impact on trail users, we need to make our position clear.
For the record, The Trails Council and WINN do not oppose deer hunting or deer herd management. In fact, many snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and other trail users participate in hunting themselves. We understand the necessity to trim the herd as well as the need to schedule T-Zone Anterless Hunts beyond the traditional firearm deer-hunting season. But we object to the scheduling of any firearm deer hunt after the traditional Thanksgiving season. Permitting an additional, permanent, mid-December hunt allows no flexibility in managing the deer herd and has not been effective. Hunter interest has also waned.
December is one of three key months that winter enthusiasts can count on being able to get into the state�s forests and trails to recreate. However, if a firearm deer hunt is scheduled, it discourages all trail users from venturing into the Wisconsin back country. You will be denying traditional mid-December recreation including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snow showing, winter hiking and camping.
Besides the impact on winter tourism and recreation, there are significant economic costs to consider.
1) Maintaining groomed trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing is very expensive for the DNR, clubs and non-profit organizations. This expense is significantly increased when hunters venture onto these trails and damage them, particularly in low snow conditions.
2) There are several cross-country centers in the state, which rely on fees from skiers for their existence. These centers are forced to close during the Thanksgiving firearm season and will now need to close in mid-December again.
3) North woods merchants also cater to significant snowmobile/skier business. This year many snowmobile access gates were locked during the T-zone hunt. Several years of poor snow have marred the economies of many small northern communities.
It�s important for the NRB to recognize that winter tourism and recreation is a growth industry in Wisconsin when properly supported.
It is the position of the State Trails Council and WINN that there are clear and easy alternatives. If additional hunts are necessary, schedule them prior to the annual firearm deer hunt in early November when use of National Forests and State Parks is at its lowest. While this might displace other hunting opportunity including deer archery, it is important to compare the numbers to understand this issue. In year 2000, there were 249,000 licenses issue for the three-month deer archery hunt. In the three-month winter recreation period, there are over million state residents participating in snowmobiling and cross-country skiing alone.
We fully support reasonable, multiple-use of our lands. Deer hunters and winter enthusiasts will both come out ahead if additional deer hunts are scheduled prior to the traditional firearm season. For the NRB to decide any differently negatively impacts the economics of the winter tourism and denies Wisconsites their expected mid-December recreational opportunities.
Sincerely,
Michael McFadzen
State Trails Council and Wisconsin Nordic Network
Year of the Trails
Fun lies ahead for everyone on Wisconsin�s trail network during the Year of the Trails. All trail users, trail properties and communities can join together in the Year of the Trails celebration to promote the benefits trails provide to everyone. Plan an event to promote your Wisconsin trail property, community or activity and the 2002 Year of the Trails. Be a part of these exciting trail opportunities.
Sue Black, Director
Wisconsin State Parks
Year of the Trails event ideas
Trail activity focused events
ATV riding Hiking
Bicycling Horseback riding
Canoeing Rollerblading
Cross-country skiing Snowmobiling
Disabled access Snowshoeing
Dog sledding Walking
Kayaking
Trail community focused events
Clean up days Water trails
Fund-raisers Children�s interpretive
National Trail Days support on June 1
Any event can be customized to fit the trail property, season and ability levels of participants like candlelight cross-country skiing, disabled access awareness and health hikes. Events held on National Trails Day, June 1 offer a chance to be part of nation-wide trail promotional effort. These are a few great ways to get a variety of different people out on Wisconsin trails to enjoy their many benefits during the Year of the Trails.
Plan your event now
Mark your calendars for 2002, and help plan our comprehensive list of trails events. Your participation and willingness to host events is vital to the success of Year of the Trails.
Let the Bureau of Parks and Recreation know the details of your special event to get it in news releases and posted on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources web site. The parks site receives more than 24,000 visits per month and offers widespread publicity opportunities for your trail property, surrounding community or user group.
To get your event posted, simply fill in all of the information on the next page. 888
Year of the Trails
Event Information
To sponsor Year of the Trails events, please complete in full and fax to (608) 267-7474.
If a fax is not available, then mail to Year of the Trails, Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster St., Madison, WI 53707. To help publicize your event better, be sure to answer all of the questions listed below. Please cross-reference the goals box on the previous page to determine which Year of the Trails goals your even promotes.
To be included in the initial posting of the Year of the Trails event calendar, respond before November 11, 2001. Notice of events received later will be posted, but posting earlier may increase the number of participants at your event. If you know of anyone else who would like to host an event, please pass this information along. Thank you for supporting Wisconsin trails and making 2002 the best year for them yet!
Please answer the following questions in full for publication on the Wisconsin DNR web site event link:
Trail property______________________________________________________________________
Name of your trail event______________________________________________________________
Description of event_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Specific trail head location____________________________________________________________
Date____________________________________________ Time____________________________ ��Event must take place between January 1-October 31, 2002
Sponsoring organization(s)___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Phone number for event information with area code________________________________________
Contact name for event information_____________________________________________________
Where to get more information about event (web link etc.)___________________________________
What goals the event accomplishes____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
For information, please contact Lee Ann Owens, Communication Coordinator for the Year of the Trails at e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call (608) 264-8957.
Happy Wisconsin Trails!
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