If this is the kind of crap the Democrats come up with when they don't have any money to play with, I kind of hope that Wisconsin's budget is always in the red.
TO: All Legislators
DATE: January 4, 2010
FROM: Senator Kathleen Vinehout and Representative Chris Danou
RE: Co-sponsorship of LRB-3991 and LRB-4058, February deer hunt for returning soldiers.
DEADLINE: Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
We are introducing LRB-3991 at the request of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
In February of 2009, 3,200-plus soldiers of the Red Arrow Brigade Combat Team were mobilized in the largest operational deployment of Wisconsin Guard troops since World War II. The brigade’s deployment took them to a combat zone to work with government, military and civilian officials to rebuild Iraq. The soldiers’ mission included administration of military bases, area security and defense, securing ground movements, forming quick reaction forces, moving 10,000 detainees without incident, closing the largest detention facility on the planet, training a corps of professional Iraqi corrections officers, inspection of the nation’s detention facilities to ensure they met international standards, turning US-controlled International Zone properties over to the Iraqi government and keeping the International Zone safe.
Because of their service to our country, members of the 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Combat Team missed many of the things we take for granted, including the traditional gun deer hunt in November. Several of the soldiers who are avid deer hunters contacted our offices to ask if there was anyway they could make up for the deer season they missed because of deployment.
To honor the Wisconsin National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, we are proposing a special gun deer hunt for one weekend – February 4th -7th, 2010 – for those who missed out on this annual Wisconsin tradition. Many servicemen and women of the 32nd are scheduled to return soon and would be able to participate during this special season.
Please join us in showing our gratitude for our soldiers by co-sponsoring LRB-3991. Forming a special deer season for our service people is one small way we can make up for the enormous sacrifices our soldiers have made for our country.
If you are interested in co-sponsoring LRB-3991/1 and LRB-4058, please contact Senator Vinehout’s office at 6-8546 or Rep. Danou’s office at 6-7015 no later than 4:00pm Tuesday, Jan 12th. (NOTE: Cosponsors will automatically be added to both unless otherwise requested)
That's right, a special deer hunting season in February for veterans. Maybe our returning soldiers can offer their flak jackets to the snowmobilers and cross country skiiers who will be out there at the same time.
A couple of questions for our brilliant first-termers:
- Bucks could be shedding their antlers by February. Are we going to consider those who have "antlerless deer"? If not, how do we expect hunters to discern the difference from great distances?
- What happens if you have a ticket for a buck and you think you're shooting at an antlerless buck but you kill a pregnant doe? Do you get to pay two fines instead of one?
- Since I presume that these soldiers will need permits, how will license issuers check for proof that an individual actually meets the requirements set forth? Or is this just a shoot first, ask questions later sort of scenario?
- Do you have any regard for the safety of other people engaged in recreational activities? Should snowshoers and skiers be prepared to wear blaze orange that weekend so they don't inadvertently get mowed down? If so, who's going to notify all of those people? Aren't you creating a fairly definite public safety risk here?
If you have a response, I'll be happy to post it. Seriously. And I suspect many of your colleagues would like these answers as well before they make a decision on your currently half-baked idea.
