The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) have released the statewide results from the 2026 Spring Hearings, revealing strong public consensus on land conservation and more divided opinions on wildlife management strategies.

The results, compiled from more than 6,800 participants, provide a statistical roadmap for the Natural Resources Board as it weighs future policy changes for the state’s outdoor heritage.

“This year, we saw a variety of ideas presented as citizen resolutions from members of the public as well as considerable participation and feedback on the advisory questions presented both in-person and online,” said Rob Bohmann, WCC chair.

Statewide Tally: Key Results

The 2026 questionnaire featured several high-priority questions that drew significant engagement. According to the final statewide tally:

  • Land Conservation (Question 13): There was overwhelming support for the permanent reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The measure passed with 5,812 Yes votes to 645 No votes.
  • Wolf Management (Question 38): Public opinion was more closely split regarding the use of trained hounds to track wolves in conflict scenarios. The proposal received 3,104 Yes votes and 3,422 No votes, suggesting a cautious approach from the public on predator management.
  • Fisheries Regulations (Question 2): A DNR proposal to simplify panfish limits on select inland waters saw broad approval, tallying 4,987 Yes votes against 1,102 No votes.
  • Invasive Species (Question 5): The proposal to implement stricter transport regulations for the round goby in the Lake Winnebago system passed decisively with 5,230 Yes votes and 748 No votes.
  • Waterfowl Hunting (Question 11): Participants weighed in on a proposal to adjust the opening dates for the northern duck zone. This passed with 3,892 Yes votes to 1,456 No votes, indicating a preference for earlier seasonal starts.
  • Tree Stand Safety (Question 22): An advisory question regarding a mandatory safety course for hunters using elevated stands received strong support, with 4,215 Yes votes to 1,943 No votes.

The Spring Hearing Process

The Spring Hearings are a unique democratic fixture in Wisconsin, serving as the primary vehicle for citizens to influence how the DNR manages the state’s fish, wildlife, and forests. The process is divided into two main components: DNR rule proposals and WCC advisory questions.

DNR questions involve proposed changes to state administrative codes, such as bag limits or season dates. WCC questions are advisory and seek to gauge public sentiment on broader conservation issues.

The Questionnaire Structure

Participation occurs through a structured questionnaire, which was available this year both in-person and through an online portal. The questionnaire is divided into three sections:

  1. Department Questions: These are rule changes proposed by the DNR. If these receive support, they move toward becoming formal state law.
  2. Congress Questions: These are advisory questions developed by WCC committees to identify areas where new regulations might be needed.
  3. Citizen Resolutions: Any Wisconsin resident can author a resolution to change a conservation rule. If the resolution gains support at the local county level, it advances to the state level for further research and potential inclusion in future DNR hearings.

Next Steps

While the results of the questionnaire are technically advisory, they carry significant weight with the Natural Resources Board and the DNR leadership. The WCC committees will spend the summer reviewing these tallies and the accompanying citizen resolutions to determine which items will be recommended for formal rule-making in 2027.

The full 2026 results, including detailed county-by-county breakdowns, are available on the DNR’s official website.