They seem pretty abundant in the Driftless Area. They really do a lot of damage when they start digging pocket gophers in farm fields.

If you get a chance at any new season jump on its better to gain a season then to lose one. IMO

Amen

This is true, Law Dog, I wasnt saying lets not do it, youve kinda twisted my view point to make it seem like I dont want it, I was just saying, on an internet forum, that I didnt think it was an essential change. Lets get that Badger season, folks.

where is the wis trappers association on this?

They are looking for Bucky!

No different than any other managed animal.

You non WI residents and some of you WI residents don't realize how big the anti trapping population Is. It's been quite for some time no reason to get them all stirred up. And with this online voting It's like poking a hornets nest. So far we aren't losing anything but It could boil over and come back to bite us. Leave a sleeping dog lie.

So why is it our state animal?

But do you know the history behind the name? Many people think that it comes from an abundance of the black-and-white animal, but in reality Wisconsin has no more badgers than its neighboring states.

The nickname actually dates back to the 1820s, when mining became a huge business, leading thousands of men to the ample iron ore mines in the Midwest.

Wisconsin workers made temporary homes by digging caves into the rock of the mines, similar to tunnels that badgers dig for shelter. The miners came to be known as “badger boys” or “badgers,” and the name eventually came to represent the state itself.
Source: Travel Wisconsin

Not enough
Poor ice conditions in December inspired me to trap some mink. Why? Because i like catching them and greatly enjoy their environs. Anyway that style of trapping, that time of year is eye opening on the current status of our trophies. Looking close, nah.... just being there. I can remember when a coyote track was a rare find.

Careful Beav, sensible talk like that might get you labeled as an anti by some out of stater that has no skin in the game.

They shut down one season and it is in state statue. But you want to say don't kick the hornet nest? So should we just move to eliminate all fur trapping to appease those folks? Or do we take our case to the public about the benefits of trapping. The reason nuisance trapping polls so high is because the animal takes it to the public for us.

Show me the benefit In trapping badgers. If the badger Is dong damage you can get a permit to eliminate that problem. Or I should say the land owner can.

You need to pick your fights to come out a winner. You weren't even born when we busted our butts so you still have that right to trap.

Hook up with the GFP here we can upgrade your badger bloodlines with some quality specimens and see how quick things change. LOL Make sure you request a pair if civets with every badger to relocate in WI that would be a dream come true for me on the civets.

So your saying non- residents should be quiet on how other States manage their wildlife and seasons thats some sound advice folks.

Show me an animal that hasn't benefited from a regulated season? Of the hundreds, you think badger is going to be the outlier?

As far as picking your fights, I agree. While I wasn't at the Capitol during the last clash, I am not afraid to learn from my history. What lead up to that point? Appeasement and the voluntary sacrifice of our tools of the trade so we wouldn't have to fight that battle, yet it came. Why? Because trappers sat in their corner afraid to talk to the general public about the benefits of regulated fur trapping and yet you encourage the same behavior today?

The history should be clear, the public will come to our side when we stand behind the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, but we can't wait for them to kick the hornet nest and bring the fight to us. I will never pass up an opportunity to be out in the public square sharing the value of the model and the role regulated trapping plays in todays modern world.

?[quote=The Beav]Show me the benefit In trapping badgers. If the badger Is dong damage you can get a permit to eliminate that problem. Or I should say the land owner can.




So Beav, are you also going to say the same about the wolves when the antis are going nuts about a harvest season on them ?

No problem voicing your opinions but when It comes down to the vote you don't have any say In the outcome. And you have nothing to lose.

Go out and knock on 100 doors In Mad town and explain to those 100 households why It would benefit the badger to have a season on It. And then get back to me.

I am not going door to door in that cesspool, but if you want help, I will gladly give some pointers and try to help you out.

Looking at the WCC results, I see you had about 8000 folks vote on the badger season question in Dane County last year. Another 1500 participated in survey in Dane County, but had no opinion on a badger season. Nearly 20% didn't have an opinion and I am guessing quite a few of the ones that didn't support a season never really heard our side. Keep refusing to sell the benefits of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation to the public and you will end up back at the Capitol sooner than you think. The antis wont stop just because you are hiding in the corner. https://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2020/Results/2020_CountyResults.pdf

But you asked for the benefit of a season. One of the biggest benefit of a season is the data it provides. Doesn't matter if it is lake sturgeon, fisher, deer, or any other game animal for that matter. Harvest data is extremely valuable in keeping track of a population. Wasn't too long ago, researchers were not sure what they would find, yet sportsmen paid the tab. Here is an interesting article about some of the research. http://archive.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/90434294.html

Latch notes that Michigan is known as the Wolverine State and yet no wolverines, aside from one that died in February, have been seen there in decades. "I didn't want the badger to fall into the situation where you've got Bucky Badger but no badgers," said Latch.

Couldn't agree more. Time to re-open a season. Sportsmen will ensure they are around for years to come.