US Representative Tom Tiffany has expressed his concern over the barriers preventing access to federal public lands in Wisconsin. "Outdoor sports like hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting are deeply rooted in Wisconsin's cultural heritage," he said. Tiffany, who is preparing to face Republican challenger Cheryl Ann Runkel in the Wisconsin primary, further stated that issues such as access barriers and lack of active management are keeping people from these lands.
"Outdoor sports like hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting are deeply rooted in Wisconsin's cultural heritage," said U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wi), U.S. Representative. "Unfortunately, access barriers, such as road decommissioning and closures, preservationist land lockups, and a lack of active management, limit sportsmen and women's ability to experience our public lands. Committee Republicans are committed to hearing directly from folks on the ground and advancing solutions that increase access and improve management."
According to a news release on May 13 regarding a field hearing, Wisconsin ranks among the top 10 states for fishing and hunting opportunities. However, road decommissioning and closures, preservation land lockups, and a lack of active management coupled with weaponization of environmental laws are hindering access to the state’s public lands.
The hearing saw participation from several individuals including State Sen. Rob Stafsholt; Henry Schienebeck, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association; Luke Hildermann, Executive Director of the International Order of T. Roosevelt; Tom Dougherty, President of Voyageur Country Houseboat Operations; and Duane Taylor, Director of Safe and Responsible Use program at Motorcycle Industry Council, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association. The event took place at The Steakhouse and Lodge in Hayward Wisconsin.
In an effort to promote active use of public lands by sportsmen and women, the US House of Representatives passed House Resolution 615 - Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023. According to another news release on May 13 regarding the hearing, this act bans both the US Department of the Interior and the US Department of Agriculture from regulating use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands or waters. This move is seen as a response to a proposal that would ban use of lead tackle and ammunition by 2026 in more than half a dozen national wildlife refuges.
Species management is also considered crucial in promoting access to public lands. With an estimated 4,200 wolves in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the Great Lakes region has the largest concentration of wolves in the contiguous 48 states. In response to this, on April 30, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 764 which removed the recovered gray wolf from the endangered species list.
Tiffany represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District and was elected in May 2020 during a special election. A native of the district, he grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin and holds a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Prior to his tenure in Congress, Tiffany served in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate where he focused on tax reduction, job creation, and protection of 2nd Amendment rights according to his biography provided by the House.
