Waukesha County to open some parkland to hunting

Waukesha - The Waukesha County Board has given the go-ahead to opening some of Waukesha County's more remote undeveloped parkland to hunters.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, and without public comment either for or against, the board revised parks rules that will lift a nearly 60-year ban on hunting.

Dale Shaver, director of parks and land use, said staff will identify the areas that qualify and attempt to post them on the county's website by fall. One logical starting point, he said, would be greenways such as along the Fox River in the Town of Vernon.

Hunters would not have access to parks with active recreation like hiking and camping, such as in Naga-Waukee or Minooka, he said.

The county is dropping its long-held ban because of a change in state law that makes land purchase grants using state Stewardship Program funds contingent upon opening the land to hunters, fishermen and other recreational interests.

The county could appeal to the Department of Natural Resources Board for exemptions on properties that it feels could be harmed by hunter traffic, such as a natural area with threatened or endangered plants.