VLLB Hunting Policy

Initiative and Governance

A significant number of Village residences experience damage to bushes, flowers and shrubs created by the overabundance of deer, turkeys, and other “game” animals in our Village. This nuisance is recognized by the WI DNR, which has provided bonus antlerless deer tags for use by culling permit holders for abatement of the damage caused by the growing herd of white-tailed deer in the Village. It will be the responsibility of the Culling Administrator to issue culling permits, distribute nuisance antlerless deer tags, record areas being hunted by culling permit holders, as well as track and record each deer harvested. 

This is not a recreational hunting club; it is an organized culling operation that is sanctioned by the Village of Lac La Bell, and regulated by the Wisconsin DNR. The program has been ongoing for a number of years under the management of different Culling Administrators. Many hunters in the past have taken advantage of this privilege to participate in the culling effort, and only chose to harvest antlered deer, thus circumventing the spirit of the opportunity. Does, fawns, and bucks all cause damage that the Village is trying to abate. It is important that every culling permit holder understands the responsibility that they accept when asking for the privilege to hunt on Village or environmental foundation owned land. Therefore, an assessment will be made for individuals who are awarded a permit to hunt on Village or environmental foundation-owned land each year as to whether they have fulfilled the spirit of the initiative as well as adhered to the program policies. 

A quality hunt is the goal of the permitting process. The right to accept or refuse a permit to anyone is the sole responsibility of the Culling Administrator. The Culling Administrator is selected by the Village President and approved by the Board of Village Trustees. No promise is made regarding whether the Village will hold a cull on any given year or that all areas will be open to hunting. 

Hunting Permit Criteria

Zero tolerance policy: Should any of the permit rules be violated, it will be considered cause for an immediate revocation of the hunting permit privilege for a period of no less than 3 years.

• Hold a valid Wisconsin hunting license for the game being harvested.

• Sign and agree to the program waiver.

• Cooperate and communicate with the Culling Administrator and other permit holders to coordinate culling activities and optimize the success of the program.

• Be available to meet with other permit holders prior to any season start to review and comment regarding the privilege to hunt that is being extended.

• Hunt during the legal season as determined by the WI-DNR, unless the DNR has granted nuisance abatement exceptions.

• Hunt only using a bow and arrow or crossbow and bolt in the Old Village of Lac La Belle. No firearm discharge is allowed by ordinance in this territory.

• Hunt only where authorized by private landowners and the Culling Administrator.

• No ATV or other vehicular traffic is permitted on Village or environmental foundation lands at any time without permission, except when necessary to recover game.

• No creation of shooting lanes or clearing land of vegetation is permitted on Village or Tall Pines Conservancy-owned property, without explicit permission from the landowner.

• Always follow the criteria as set by the DNR for archery hunting in Wisconsin and use common sense hunter safety rules “TABK”.

• Always take harvest opportunities that will insure a quick clean kill.

** All harvested deer carcasses must be removed within 6 hours of the kill, with as little public attention as possible, preferably at dark.

** The meat shall be utilized by the hunter or donation recipients/agencies.

** Should a wounded deer be found on private property, permission must be received from the property owner to recover the animal.

** Remove “gut piles” and dispose of them properly.

• A permit holder will receive seasonal bonus Nuisance DNR Antlerless Deer tags from the Culling Administrator, authorizing their culling activities in the Village. Tags are not transferable. Tags may only be issued by the Culling Administrator.

** All deer kills must be reported to the Village-assigned Culling Administrator within 24 hours of the harvest date. As is required for any game harvest, kills must also be registered through the Go Wild GameReg Harvest Report system.

** If a bonus Nuisance DNR Antlerless Deer tag is used, it must be reported in accordance with the DNR bonus antlerless tag reporting rules.

** For program record keeping, send a picture the bonus Nuisance DNR Anterless Deer tag to the Culling Administrator, completed with the DNR customer number. 

** If the hunter uses their personal antlerless issued tag, the site of the harvest recovery location must also be reported to the Culling Administrator, with a picture of the completed tag.

** Bonus tags are not available from the Village Clerk at the Village Hall.

• Promptly report suspected program violations to the Culling Administrator and the Village Clerk, whether they concern known permit holders or members of the public.

• The police force that serves the Village will be tasked with the responsibility to enforce the criteria above.