The Wisconsin Deer Hunters Association (WDHA) is outraged that the Senate and Assembly Natural Resource Committees (NRC) once again chose politics over protecting our deer herd. The Senate was lead by NRC chair Neil Kedzie, who sided with a small group of highly vocal individuals over the objections of just about every other organization in the state. "As citizens we demand that Senator Kedzie explain why he sided with the group VOW," says WDHA President Mark Toso. "How this group managed to out lobby even the agriculture industry, including the Farm Bureau Federation, is simply astonishing. We demand an independent audit of all activities associated with this group and the legislature. The really absurd twist is that VOW also represents the interests of the game farm industry, who brought CWD and TB infected animals to this state," he continues.

Senator Kedzie's staff admitted to meeting with VOW, and they arranged another meeting last week which VOW boasted was a "private negotiation session." When WDHA board members called and demanded to be included Senator Kedzie's office informed us that all meetings were cancelled, and that the Senator would not discuss the rules with anyone. "Despite his denials this clearly demonstrates that Senator Kedzie is in VOW's back pocket. Everything they want, they get," says Toso. "We even tried to get him to ban feeding and baiting in counties with diseased game farm animals and he refused to even listen. This just shows how far he and the legislature are willing to go to bat for VOW." Senator Kedzie office also admitted that he never read any information provided by the WDHA and others in favor of the bans. Yet it was evident he and committee members Zien and Stepp were swayed by highly exaggerated and false information provided by VOW. "Clearly he buys into VOW's false claims and refuses to even talk with anyone representing the opinions of the majority of deer hunters and outdoor groups in this state," continues Toso.

In yet another ironic twist Senator Kedzie is introducing legislation to designate an Aldo Leopold weekend to honor the father of modern conservation. "It's a disgrace to his legacy that he would even consider this in light of what he just did. We doubt if he even knows the meaning of the word conservation," says Toso.

Because of the legislature there are currently no restrictions on feeding deer even inside the CWD eradication zone. The WDHA is extremely concerned that this is confounding CWD eradication efforts and allowing the disease to spread. "Rep. Grothman once called the DNR irresponsible for sticking with the overwhelming science and not agreeing to any baiting and feeding. Yet Grothman, Kedzie, Gunderson and the rest of the legislature are willing to intentionally allow CWD to spread just to get their way. This is the most politically motivated irresponsible act to come out of Madison that I have ever seen," states Toso. "It looks like the only way to stop the madness is to sit and watch CWD spread to the rest of the state. Even when there are no deer left I doubt they will get it."

The WDHA is a group of conservation minded deer enthusiasts whose mission is to promote scientific and ecological based deer management in Wisconsin. Our philosophy is do what's best for the resource, as we believe that is ultimately what's best for the deer hunter.

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