Citizen Access to Properties
When Participating in the Wisconsin Odonata Survey

As you plan your participation in the Wisconsin Odonata Survey, you should be aware of the need for permission or permits before you access certain properties. Please review the guidance below, which depends on land ownership. If a permit is needed, be sure to apply (or let Bob DuBois know so that he can apply) early enough to leave yourself plenty of time.

You may find a county plat book for the county you will be collecting in to be useful. Plat books map ownership boundaries, roads, rivers, lakes, and some other physical land features. Plat books are available at county clerk offices (cost of $15 to $35 depending on the county). Most Wisconsin plat books are published by Rockford Map Inc., PO Box 6126, Rockford, IL 61125, and Accurate Publishing and Printing Inc., PO Box 389, Battle Lake, MN 56515. You may also wish to purchase a topographic map like the Wisconsin Atlas & Gazetteer.

Next, we want to share with you some common-sense principles about access and conduct that have served us well and are likely to help you as you go about your collecting.

• Regardless of land ownership it is always a good idea to ask permission from the owner or the property manager before you go collecting. Even if you know permission is not needed, it is still wise to let the owner or property manager know of your plans. You can then inquire about the locations of natural areas, research areas, or other sensitive areas that you should avoid. Further, the property manager will appreciate the "heads up" should he or she subsequently receive questions or complaints about collecting activity on the property. This also holds true for private property - when you obtain permission, you are showing your respect for the rights of the landowner.
• When they see you carrying a large net, some people will be interested and are likely to ask questions. Our experience has been that such people are invariably friendly and are just curious about what we were doing. We've actually found dragonfly collecting to be a great conversation starter. However, the possibility always exists that you could run into someone who is offended by your activity. Our suggestion is to always be discreet and courteous. Don’t be confrontational with anyone. We also generally avoid collecting in campgrounds or parks where lots of people are congregated.
• Respect the land and the rules established for the property. Don’t litter, be careful not to trample on sensitive plants, and try not to cause any other form of damage. If you need a parking sticker on your vehicle, make sure you have one.

Permission requirements depending on land ownership

Private Land - Before you collect on private land, always contact the landowner for permission and clearly explain what, when, and where you would like to collect. Written permission is not required, but it is always best to have it.

Private Lands enrolled under the Forest Crop Law or Managed Forest Law - Dragonfly collecting is not one of the activities for which these lands are available to the public. Therefore you need to ask the landowner for permission exactly as you would for private lands not enrolled in these programs.

State Properties - Dragonfly collecting is allowed on state-owned lands and permits are not usually required. Permits are needed in state natural areas (SNAs). Contacting the property manager or park staff before you go is always a good idea. The state owns all lake beds and the water in all streams. This means that if you gain access at any point of public access and then keep your boots wet as you wade along a shoreline, you will not be trespassing, regardless of riparian land ownership.

Boat Landings and Road Crossings - You can always gain access at any public boat landing or any road crossing over a stream or river. These areas are owned either by the state, the county, or a township. Be aware, however, that the length of shoreline on each side of the access that is under municipal control can vary from site to site and may be quite short. Therefore, if you are uncertain about the riparian land ownership, keep your boots wet as you move away from the access point.

County Lands - In Wisconsin, 29 of our counties have county forests, and each county (potentially at least) has its own rules about access. We did not contact all 29 counties, but the ones we did contact were clear that dragonfly collecting is allowed on their lands and permission is not required, provided the collector is on foot. The consensus opinion was that it is unlikely that any county would require permission for dragonfly collecting. However, if you intend to access county land with a motorized vehicle, such as a pick-up truck or an ATV, you may need permission.

National Forests - Dragonfly collecting is allowed in National Forests and permission is not required. However, do not collect in Research Natural Areas (RNAs). You should contact the forest headquarters to find out where the RNAs are located.

Park Service Lands (St. Croix and Namekagon riverways and the Apostle Islands) - Permits are required to collect dragonflies in these properties. Cooperative agreement permits can be obtained. Let Bob know ahead of time if you want to collect on Park Service property.

Tribal Lands - Tribes must be contacted before any collecting is done on their lands. Scientific collecting may be approved as long as the tribe receives a copy of the data. Let Bob know ahead of time if you want to collect on tribal land.

University Properties - These areas are few and small. Contact the university for permission before you collect dragonflies in these properties.

Military Lands - Ask for permission before you go on military lands. You are likely to be granted permission, but some active areas are off limits for obvious reasons.

The Nature Conservancy - TNC owns some lands and has rights on others. Permits are required to collect on land owned by TNC. The permitting process takes time, so let Bob know with plenty of lead time if you would like to collect on TNC-owned land. For land that is not owned by TNC but on which they have rights, the landowner should be contacted.

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This site is produced in conjunction with the Wisconsin Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Inventory and sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Beaver Creek Reserve in cooperation with many partners. The information presented on this site is subject to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Legal Notices, Disclaimers, and Terms of Use.