The leader of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe said that he doesn’t expect to see protesters when Chippewa hunters kick off their first off-reservation night deer hunt on Nov. 1.
After a 1983 court ruling known as the Voigt Decision affirmed tribal treaty rights to fish in the ceded territory — or northern third of Wisconsin — many boat landings erupted in protests led by non-native sportsmen. Now, another court has affirmed the right for Chippewa hunters to shoot deer at night.
But Lac Courte Oreilles tribal chairman Mic Isham said he doesn’t expect more protests.
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“I don’t believe that will happen,” said Isham. “People are a lot more informed than they were back then. Back then, there were a lot of anti-Indian, anti-treaty groups that were spreading fear throughout the state of Wisconsin.”
Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources said they’re disappointed in the decision to allow the night deer hunt, but hasn’t said if they will appeal.
The season runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 4.
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