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Bills from the 2011–12 session

Senate Bill 411

Hunting and trapping of wolves, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation

Topics: Animal, Dogs, Game, Game: Hunting, Livestock and meat, Natural Resources, Department of: Hunting and fishing

Became law

The governor signed it on Apr 3, 2012. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Jan 31, 2012

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Mar 6, 2012

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed 69 to 25

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2011 Wisconsin Act 169

Latest entry in the official record, Apr 5, 2012: “Published 4-16-2012”

Read the bill

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What it does

Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue wolf harvesting licenses if the wolf is removed from the U.S. and Wisconsin lists of endangered and threatened species. Under the bill, both state residents and nonresidents may be issued a license. The license authorizes both the hunting and trapping of wolves. The bill requires that there be a single annual season for wolf hunting and trapping from October 15 through the end of February. Under the bill, DNR may limit the number of licenses issued and the number of wolves to be harvested. The bill requires DNR to divide the state into up to four wolf harvesting zones. A wolf harvesting license authorizes the license holder to hunt or trap or both only in the zone that is specified on the license.

Under the bill, if the number of persons applying for a wolf harvesting license exceeds the number of licenses that will be issued, DNR shall issue the licenses based on a cumulative preference system. The system shall establish preference categories for those applicants who applied for, but who were not issued, a wolf harvesting license in previous seasons, with higher preference given to those applicants with more preference points. Under the preference system, a person may elect to apply for a preference point instead of a license in a given year. Each person receiving a license will receive one tag. The bill also allows the transfer of licenses and preference points under certain circumstances.

Read the full summary

The bill specifies the types of firearms that may be used for wolf hunting and also allows the use of bows and arrows and crossbows for wolf hunting. A crossbow may be used by any person holding a wolf harvesting license. For hunting wolves, the bill allows the use of dogs for part of the season and allows the baiting of wolves with bait other than animal byproducts except for liquid scents. Hunting wolves at night is also authorized for part of the season. Under the bill, the types of traps that may be used for trapping wolves must include cable restraints. A cable restraint is a type of trap using a noose made of cables.

The bill requires DNR to administer a program under which payments may be made to persons for death or injury caused by wolves to livestock, to hunting dogs other than those being used in the hunting of wolves, and to pets. Under current law, DNR has promulgated rules establishing such a program. Under the bill, the moneys collected as fees for wolf harvesting licenses are to be used to make payments under this program. If, after making these payments, there are any moneys remaining, DNR may use the moneys for wolf management and control activities conducted by DNR.

Who's behind it

3 senators are its ⁠. 2 are Republicans and 1 is a Democrat.

21 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 24 names

Authors (3)

Signed on in support (21)

What it would cost

State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

How lawmakers voted

There were 11 votes on this bill.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment vote on an amendment

Passed, 7 to 0 · Mar 1, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by committee on Natural Resources and Environment, Ayes 7, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 5 to 0 · Mar 5, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Referred to joint committee on Finance by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 24 to 9 · Mar 6, 2012

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 24, Noes 9”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 69 to 25 · Mar 13, 2012 · 5 didn't vote

See how each of the 99 representatives voted

D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican

Yes (69)

Didn't vote (5)

Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 69, Noes 25”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 59 to 34 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 34”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 59 to 35 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 59 to 35 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 58 to 36 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 58, Noes 36”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 63 to 31 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 5 laid on table, Ayes 63, Noes 31”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 58 to 36 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 58, Noes 36”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 57 to 37 · Mar 13, 2012

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 7 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 37”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Apr 5, 2012

    The new law was published.

  2. Apr 3, 2012

    The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 169.

  3. Mar 30, 2012

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Mar 13, 2012

    The Assembly passed it too, 69 to 25.

  5. Mar 13, 2012

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  6. Mar 6, 2012

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  7. Mar 6, 2012

    The Assembly received it.

  8. Mar 6, 2012

    The Senate passed it, 24 to 9.

  9. Mar 6, 2012

    The Senate adopted it.

  10. Mar 5, 2012

    “Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  11. Mar 5, 2012

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  12. Mar 1, 2012

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 2.

  13. Mar 1, 2012

    “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by committee on Natural Resources and Environment, Ayes 7, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  14. Feb 28, 2012

    The committee held a public hearing.

  15. Feb 22, 2012

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  16. Jan 31, 2012 to Feb 1, 2012

    2 more senators signed on in support.

  17. Jan 31, 2012

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

  18. Jan 31, 2012

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Jan 31, 2012 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Moulton, Holperin and Lasee;Cosponsored by Representatives Suder, Rivard, LeMahieu, Krug, Bies, Pridemore, Ballweg, Tauchen, Vruwink, Williams, Severson, Murtha, Steineke, Tiffany, Nygren, Endsley, A. Ott and Spanbauer

  2. Jan 31, 2012 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Natural Resources and Environment

  3. Jan 31, 2012 · Senate

    Senator Schultz added as a coauthor

  4. Feb 1, 2012 · Senate

    Senator Grothman added as a coauthor

  5. Feb 6, 2012 · Senate

    LRB correction

  6. Feb 22, 2012 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  7. Feb 28, 2012 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  8. Feb 28, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 1 offered by Senator Moulton

  9. Feb 29, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 2 offered by Senator Moulton

  10. Mar 1, 2012 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  11. Mar 1, 2012 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by committee on Natural Resources and Environment, Ayes 7, Noes 0

  12. Mar 1, 2012 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by committee on Natural Resources and Environment, Ayes 5, Noes 2

  13. Mar 1, 2012 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  14. Mar 5, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 3 offered by Senator Moulton

  15. Mar 5, 2012 · Senate

    Referred to joint committee on Finance by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0

  16. Mar 5, 2012 · Senate

    Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0

  17. Mar 5, 2012 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 3-6-2012 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  18. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Read a second time

  19. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 1 adopted

  20. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 3 adopted

  21. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 4 offered by Senator Moulton

  22. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 4 adopted

  23. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 5 offered by Senator Taylor

  24. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Senate amendment 5 laid on table

  25. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  26. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  27. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 24, Noes 9

  28. Mar 6, 2012 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  29. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  30. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  31. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 1 offered by Representatives Molepske Jr and Clark

  32. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 2 offered by Representatives Clark, Molepske Jr, Hulsey, Danou, Mason and Milroy

  33. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 3 offered by Representatives Clark, Molepske Jr, Hulsey and Danou

  34. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 4 offered by Representatives Clark, Hulsey, Molepske Jr and Danou

  35. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 5 offered by Representative Sinicki

  36. Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly

    Made a special order of business at 11:18 A.M. on 3-13-2012 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 22

  37. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Representative Kleefisch added as a cosponsor

  38. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  39. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 34

  40. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 35

  41. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 35

  42. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 58, Noes 36

  43. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 5 laid on table, Ayes 63, Noes 31

  44. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 6 offered by Representative Molepske Jr

  45. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 58, Noes 36

  46. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 7 offered by Representatives Molepske Jr, Mason, Milroy and Clark

  47. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 7 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 37

  48. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  49. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  50. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 69, Noes 25

  51. Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  52. Mar 13, 2012 · Senate

    Received from Assembly concurred in

  53. Mar 28, 2012 · Senate

    LRB correction

  54. Mar 28, 2012 · Senate

    LRB correction

  55. Mar 28, 2012 · Senate

    LRB correction

  56. Mar 28, 2012 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled on 3-28-2012

  57. Mar 30, 2012 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 3-30-2012

  58. Apr 3, 2012 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 4-2-2012. 2011 Wisconsin Act 169

  59. Apr 5, 2012 · Senate

    Published 4-16-2012

Terms on this page

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act. More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary

From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source

Wisconsin Act

The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.

Official term: Act

More in the glossary

Legislative Reference Bureau

The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.

Official term: LRB analysis

More in the glossary

Author

A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Official term: Author, coauthor

More in the glossary

Signed on in support

Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.

Official term: Cosponsor

More in the glossary

Cost estimate

A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.

Official term: Fiscal estimate

More in the glossary

Roll call

A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.

Official term: Roll call vote

More in the glossary