Walker Backs DNR Plan To Dial Back Activities At State Fair

Gov. Scott Walker is defending plans by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to reduce operations at a popular visitors center open during the Wisconsin State Fair.

The DNR will no longer offer fishing clinics, archery, a children’s play area, or most other programs at its State Fair Park center. The fair will manage the DNR’s site, which typically attracts about 300,000 visitors during the fair’s 10-day run.

Wildlife groups say the change will deprive tens of thousands of young people from learning about hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. But Walker said he’s asked every state agency to focus on getting its biggest bang for the buck.

“Part of that is looking at the numbers and saying, for the money they take to operate something like that, and the staff time involved, is that the best use of those dollars, or can they plow more of that into hunter safety in schools where you have direct access to kids, or through other youth activities?” Walker said, speaking to reporters Monday in Milwaukee.

Walker said the DNR will maintain a presence at the visitors center, mainly giving out information about state lands.

“They’ll certainly be talking about state parks, for which they’ve gauged an active interest there in the past, ” Walker said.