Wisconsin residents will decide the future of state hunting and fishing rules during the annual spring hearings starting Monday, April 13.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) are holding in-person meetings in all 72 counties. Every meeting begins at 6 p.m. local time. These gatherings allow the public to vote on proposed rule changes and share their views on conservation issues.
For those who cannot attend a meeting in person, an online voting option is available. The digital ballot opens at 6 p.m. on April 13. It stays open until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.
The WCC is a group of citizens that advises the Natural Resources Board on environmental policy. At the county meetings, attendees will also elect two local delegates to serve three-year terms on the Congress.
Several major topics are on the 2026 ballot. Voters will consider a proposal to remove the once-in-a-lifetime limit on receiving cow elk tags. The questionnaire also asks for public input on raising hunting and fishing license fees. Some of these proposed increases range from 25 percent to 75 percent.
Another key item involves the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. This program is set to end in June 2026. The ballot includes advisory questions to gauge public support for its future.
The results of these votes are advisory. This means the DNR and the state legislature use the data to guide their official decisions later in the year.
A full list of the 2026 meeting locations for every county is available here:
More details on the specific proposals and the online voting portal can be found on the DNR website:
