DNR asks US Supreme Court to review night deer ruling

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down a federal appellate decision ordering a judge to revisit a ruling barring Wisconsin’s Chippewa tribes from hunting deer at night.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled in 1991 that night deer hunting is dangerous and the state’s ban on the practice extends to the Chippewa. The tribes renewed their push for night hunting in 2012. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in October ordered Crabb to revisit her decision, saying there’s little reason to believe that night hunting is still dangerous.

State Justice Department attorneys filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, asking the court to strike down the appellate ruling. They argued the ruling improperly forces the state to prove night deer hunting is dangerous.