Rep. Joel Kleefisch says WI elk hunt 'definite possibility'

This is the record of an email exchange I have had with the office of Wisconsin State Rep. Joel Kleefisch, (R-Oconomowoc). 

The subject is the possibility of an elk hunt in Wisconsin in the wake of an agreement with the State of Kentucky to augment Wisconsin's elk herd.

Joel Kleefisch is the husband of Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, R). He is an avid hunter, leading leading voice for hunting interests in the state legislature and is also a member of the GOP majority on the relevant Assembly committee now known as Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage.

On Friday I sent this email to Rep. Kleefisch:

With the agreement now in place to bring 150 elk to Wisconsin from Kentucky, is it your expectation that there will eventually be an elk hunting season in Wisconsin?

Late Tuesday afternoon, this response came back:

Rep Kleefisch asked me to respond on his behalf in regards to the elk hunting matter.

Governor Walker and the DNR have stated that bringing additional elk into the state will create an opportunity to promote population growth of a species native to Wisconsin for current and future generations, while also providing for recreational opportunities through viewing and hunting for Wisconsin citizens and tourists from other states. 

Beginning this month, wild elk will be trapped in Kentucky and tested for disease before being transported to Wisconsin later this spring. There will be no immediate changes to any hunting seasons, but there is a definite possibility that if all goes well it will be in the works.

Thanks, 

Vanessa Morrone 

Office of Representative Joel Kleefisch38^th Assembly District – 216 North