News Release...

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

West Central Region Headquarters - Eau Claire

PO Box 4001 Eau Claire, WI 54702-4001

Phone: (715) 839-3700 TDD: (715) 839-2786

For Release: July 23, 2001

Contact: David Weitz, Public Affairs Manager, DNR West Central Region, (715) 839-3715

Be Courteous When Using Private Lands, Waters

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. – Hunters and anglers can go a long way to making themselves welcome - or unwelcome - on cranberry growers' lands in Central Wisconsin by behaving as good neighbors.

Because many cranberry bogs are navigable waterways people have a right to navigate the waters if they gain access from public lands. Many growers, however, allow members of the public on their private lands to hunt waterfowl, deer, to fish, or for other recreation.

Some outdoor users have started fires, littered areas, and traveled with trucks or all-terrain vehicles over dikes. It's only neighborly to carry out what you bring to make sure an area stays clean. Fires can escape to cause damage, require a cleanup and shouldn't be started on private property. If people climb up and down steep dike banks the banks can start to erode causing costly maintenance and damage from soil erosion and silting.

In Jackson County a recent review has been made of all parcels of county land sold where the county retained hunting and fishing rights. On these lands members of the public can hunt and fish. That information can be examined at the Jackson County Parks and Forests office. Similarly, lands enrolled in state Managed Forest Law programs, as "open" must allow public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, sightseeing or cross-country skiing. Use of vehicles can be denied and access routes may be specified.

All lands, and property owners, should be treated with respect. Both private land and public land should be safeguarded against damage. The right to hunt, fish, and use the land doesn't include a right to litter, build fires, or damage property. Littering is against the law; anyone who starts a forest fire is responsible for all suppression costs and damaging property can entail penalties and reimbursement. Whether using cranberry lands in Central Wisconsin, Managed Forest Law lands in Wisconsin or any other private property it's courteous and neighborly to contact the owner of the land, before venturing onto it.

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The following counties are in the West Central Region: Adams, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marathon, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Portage, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Wood.

The public affairs manager for the DNR West Central Region is: Dave Weitz (phone - (715) 839-3715.