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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2001

The 3rd District Court of Appeals of Wisconsin has upheld the right of the state to prosecute two Ojibwe men charged with illegally hunting deer off the reservation.

The court on Wednesday said the state can regulate the hunting of tribal members so long as American Indians aren't discriminated against.

The case stems from a 1999 incident in which two Keweenaw Bay men were charged with illegally using lights to shine on deer. State regulations prohibit the use of lights.

The men claimed, however, that a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowed them to hunt off-reservation without state interference. But the appeals court yesterday said the ban on using lights was a necessary burden to protect public health and safety.

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Appeals court says two Chippewa Indians properly charged with illegal hunting (AP 9/5)