Maps of Areas with expanded hunting

The DNR CANNOT act unless we ask it to. If you leave all the letter writing up to me, that's just one letter from one person.

Comments can also be emailed to: DNRWisconsinParks@wisconsin.gov

I'm trying to map and describe specific zones to be excluded from the hunting and trapping expansion, so we'll be on the same page when we each write our letters.

hoofermountaineering.org/ca…

So far I have:
Devils Lake State Park
Wyalusing State Park

Send me comments, please. If you have waypoints or track data for approach trails, that will help us be specific.

So far I have Devils Lake and Wyalusing. Anyone want to take a crack at Governor Dodge?

I also think we should ask for a 200-300 yard corridor around climbing areas and approach trails, since DNR data indicate that is actually a distance consistent with public safety.

I'm also looking for maps and descriptions for Gibralter, Mill Bluff, and Rib Mountain, based on historical climbing use.

What you have in mind is a map of Dodge with the climbing areas pinpointed so that we can have a buffer?

I think I can do that. Gimme 24 hours.

Doug:

Thanks for the efforts. I will be crafting my letter to send very soon here and will be trying to encourage every one I know who climbs within WI State Parks and wishes to avoid rifle bullets wizz'n by.

Burt Lindquist

Chris, there's a nearly complete map of points here on MP. I'm having a hard time deciding where to ask for a buffer. As I understand it, most boulders are close to trails, including ski and horse trails, so just asking for an extra wide exclusion around those doesn't seem like asking too much. But around Qual Wall and the group camp areas? the Ice? I'm looking for guidance from all you boulderers ...

If we all have a common set of maps and make (nearly) the same recommendations, I think that will have more impact than a bunch of proposals where we don't agree with each other.

(I don't want to ask the DNR for too much, but I don't want to ask for too little. I'd like to help out hikers, skiiers, mtn bikers, horseback riders, etc. Yet, I'd like to minimize our impact on hunters and hunting. I'd like to see balance and sanity restored, I guess.)

Added my best stab at a no-hunting map for Gibralter:

hoofermountaineering.org/ca…

Great maps! I appreciate all you are doing to ensure access to WI climbing areas. 200-300 yards seems more than reasonable.

Two questions
1) Is there a generic form letter we can send to the DNR? (this might generate a better response than asking each of us to write our own).
2) Can we get Access Fund to assist?

How about Qual, group B, and Barrel Ridge then.

Anyone else have an opinion re: Dodge? Lonelies might make the cut as well but I don't think they are quite as popular...

Doug,
Will this be part of the map submission for Gib; "This property should never have been closed to climbing, and there is no compelling reason it should remain closed."

Maybe a few at the DNR have no idea it is technically closed to climbing and maybe best not to mention it unless asked. If they can make this a buffer for some reason for climbers and hikers, it may help down the road sometime/somehow.

Also, thank you for spending your time on this. We all appreciate it.

jon jugenheimer wrote:Doug, Will this be part of the map submission for Gib; "This property should never have been closed to climbing, and there is no compelling reason it should remain closed."

Jon, great question and I'd like to hear other's thoughts.

There are two deeper issues here that need to be addressed:
(1) The State is supposed to consider climbing when it makes use-plans for State property, but it doesn't, really. And
(2) the more I look into it the more I realize that the "deal" that climbers thought we had struck with the State with respect to State Natural Areas, back in the 90s, was never really carried through.

I think issue (2) is a battle for another day. The hunt boundaries are our immediate concern. But I feel like this is an opportunity for us to mention issue (1), with the idea that this will lead to more constructive relations in the future, and eventually get us to issue (2). So I think I should at least rephrase the line you quoted ....

Thoughts, folks?

Chris treggE wrote:How about ... Lonelies might make the cut as well but I don't think they are quite as popular...

Given how close they are to Qual, and how close they are to the Park boundary, I'd lump them together as one area. Blocking things into contiguous areas is going to be easier for everyone - hunters, climbers, and the DNR.

One more map added, Rib Mountain State Park.

I'm not that familiar with the Park (only been there once!), so I need help with the boundaries. My written description is "everything inside the Red Trail", which I think is reinforced by hiking use. [Edit: I've been told that just everything inside of the Green and Blue trails is sufficient, so I've changed the description on the map. Weigh in if you have an opinion. Like I said, not my area!]

The only other Park I'd like to address is Mill Bluff, for the history of climbing there.