Politics & Government

Possibility of Hunting at Bender Park Draws Concern

County Supervisor Pat Jursik says many residents have asked the county to add land to Bender Park through different means.

Many residents have expressed concern about the possibility of hunting and trapping on new land at Bender Park, County Supervisor Pat Jursik wrote in her monthly newsletter.

A nonprofit organization wants to acquire 95 acres near the park through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and then transfer the land to the county for incorporation into Bender Park.

Under the rules of the Knowles-Nelson program, the land must be open for hunting and trapping. This isn't something allowed under Milwaukee County ordinances, but officials are considering changing the ordinances to allow for limited hunting and trapping at Bender Park.

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Jursik said constituents have asked the county to acquire the land in a different way. The worry is that it would be difficult to enforce regulations and permits, that 95 acres is too small to allow hunting and trapping and that the safety of other park users could be jeopardized, she said.

The Parks Department will hold a public hearing on the issue, though a date has not yet been set.

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Interim Parks Director Jim Keegan has said that only bow hunting would be allowed and no more than two hunters per 40 acres would be permitted at any given time.

County officials also said in a report that the parcels "are a high priority for acquisition for the (parks department) due in part to their value as a means to protect the natural resources in Bender Park."

Also in the newsletter, Jursik discusses the proposal to cut county supervisors' pay, the future of the Downtown Transit Center, the House of Correction in Franklin and other county issues.


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