Deer hunters are being asked to keep their eyes open for something other than the 30-point buck this year.
Law enforcement officials and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are on a different kind of hunt this season, asking deer hunters for help in reporting illegal marijuana growing operations.
The theory is that 600,000 extra pairs of eyes in the woods can be an effective tool in efforts to find evidence of pot growing operations well hidden from normally visited environs.
"Hunters should be alert, and if they see something that doesn't look right, leave the area, record their observations and report it to local authorities," said Randy Stark, chief conservation warden for the DNR.
The growing season is basically over, the DNR says, so plants probably wouldn't be found, but evidence of growing operations could still be out in the woods. Things to look for include huts, tents or other makeshift structures, equipment, watering jugs and chemical containers, and signs of disturbed vegetation, such as an abnormal number of cuttings or the clearing of small areas.
Marijuana growing areas and drug making operations have been found in recent months on public lands in Wisconsin, several found and reported by hunters.
"Our public lands are heavily used, and we are grateful that law-abiding citizens care enough about their land to be aware and report problems," Stark said.
"We want everyone to be safe and enjoy Wisconsin's outdoors and traditions, and we want to work with the public to ensure that public lands are used for their intended purpose," Stark said.
The DNR has a tip line, 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367), which anyone can use to report suspected or observed illegal activities.
The 2009 gun deer hunting season starts Saturday, Nov. 21, at dawn and ends at dusk on Sunday, Nov. 29.
Posted in Environment, State_and_regional, Outdoors on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:45 am Updated: 11:08 am. | Tags: Dnr, Deer Hunting, Pot Growing, Marijuana, Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources, Department Of Natural Resources
The paper that helped trigger fear that a routine childhood vaccine might lead to autism was retracted recently by a respected medical journal, raising hopes that those looking to solve the mysteries of this developmental disorder will focus their energies elsewhere.
Feb 09, 2010 | 5:00 am | Loading…
As impossibly idyllic as it may sound, members of Madison Fruits and Nuts want fruit- and nut-bearing trees in a public place near you, where you can watch the fruit form and ripen and when the time is just right, reach up and pluck it.
Feb 08, 2010 | 5:40 am | Loading…
Two years ago, Gov. Jim Doyle gathered with officials from an Austrian company to tout a new factory in Madison for manufacturing high-tech medical devices. Things have not gone exactly as planned, however.
Feb 07, 2010 | 4:00 am | Loading…
Critics say school districts will drop sex ed entirely rather than comply with new state law
Feb 06, 2010 | 10:00 am | Loading…
Among the tributes sent to a website after Neha Suri, a UW-Madison junior, died of meningitis was a note from a Wisconsin mother named Gail Bailey. She is a member of Moms On Meningitis, which works to raise awareness about the disease.
Feb 05, 2010 | 5:00 am | Loading…
© Copyright 2010, madison.com, 1901 Fish Hatchery Rd Madison, WI | Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
