Muskego hunts for land funding source

Muskego - As part of a related conservation effort, specific city-owned land might be open for bow hunting and trapping if the Muskego Common Council approves a proposed ordinance as early as Tuesday.

The city needs such that ordinance to qualify for state stewardship money to help buy and preserve 103 pristine acres known as the Borst property, a kettle moraine landscape featuring oak and hardwood forests as well as a stream that pours clear water into Little Muskego Lake.

"It's a priority conservation area," said Tom Zagar, city conservation coordinator.

Hunting for funding

If it approves the proposed hunting ordinance, the council also is likely to approve the Borst property specifically. That's because the state requires a compelling reason why hunting isn't allowed on land it is being asked to provide funding, Zagar said.

The state might contribute as much as $400,000 toward the purchase price, which is still being negotiated, he said. A 108-acre chunk of the land has been appraised at three widely varying amounts - $865,000, $1.25 million and $1.5 million. The city is highly unlikely to even consider the top figure, he added.

Technically, the hunting and trapping ordinance would apply to the entire city, but the council would have to separately authorize hunting and trapping in specific areas, Zagar said.

Narrowing the hunt

The Borst property is the only area now under consideration for hunting, he said.

Hunting and trapping privileges would not be sought in any city parks, confirmed Craig Anderson, parks and recreation director.

Open hunting is allowed on the more than 400-acre Big Muskego Wildlife Area on the east end of Big Muskego Lake. The state Department of Natural Resources owns the wildlife area.

Nor would the city immediately consider hunting involving firearms on the Borst property. Even under existing rules, hunters are not allowed to shoot toward homes or shoot within 200 feet of them, Zagar noted.

"Rather than opening it up for everything, we could open it up for trapping and bow hunting for now," said Zagar, who is sympathetic to the concerns of neighbors surrounding the property.

He also is thinking of the safety hikers who might be on future trails through the tract. But he noted that there are plenty of hiking trails through the Kettle Moraine State Parks where all hunting is allowed.

With all that to consider, "I think that's a good compromise," Zagar said of limiting hunting to bows.