'Nobody really knew it was a rule': DNR updates law on carrying firearms while fishing

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will soon allow fishermen to carry firearms while on the water, a change some in the Madison fishing community say they didn't even know was necessary.

“I don't think people care much, mostly because nobody really knew it was a rule in the first place,” said owner of D&S Bait and Tackle, Pat Hasburgh. “So people that wanted to carry their gun already did.”

“I just figured open carry you could open carry in your boat or wherever you were, but obviously that wasn't the case, at least at that time,” said fisherman Robert Conners.

The DNR changed the rule in response to pressure from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. The institute advocated for people's Second Amendment rights, but some fishermen here don’t see the point.

“I go out to fish to relax and enjoy nature,” Hasburgh said. “I do not see a need to carry a gun while I fish.’

“I mean, everybody's got a right to bear arms and protect themselves, not that that should happen while you're fishing,” said Conners.

Overall most Madison fishers told News 3 Now they are unbothered by the changed.

“It's an open carry state and as long as people are responsible, not being, you know, out of hand and doing dumb stuff, I ain't got a problem with it,” said Conners.

While firearms will be allowed on the water, it is still illegal to use the firearm for fishing.

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