Hunters naturally want predictions of the deer herd population before the hunting season, but we can only estimate what the pre-hunt population was after the season and the estimates hold for an entire Deer Management Unit, not an individual parcel or property.
Even though my hunting partners are long-time deer hunters, more than once they’ve asked how DNR wildlife biologists count deer. If that question keeps coming from my deer camp, I know a lot of others have the same question, especially in years like last hunting season when the number of deer that hunters saw dropped off. My first answer is, “Generally, DNR does not count deer, but we do make a population estimate.”
That estimate of the pre-season deer population is a bit confusing because it can only be accurately calculated in hindsight by collecting information during the hunt and compiling it after the season. It’s a bit like the college basketball season that starts with a lot of unknowns such as how good the recruiting class is (or fawn survival). There are pre-season rankings and predictions. Then the season takes place, the results are tallied and a much clearer picture of the team ranking (or population) emerges.
While the Sex-Age-Kill (SAK) calculation has used the same factors since the 1960s with some modifications, there are misconceptions about how the agency arrives at its annual population estimates. In most areas of the state, “the count” is made by compiling and analyzing the mandatory stubs provided by hunters registering each deer harvested in each Deer Management Unit (DMU). The stub tells the location and sex of each deer harvested and an age is determined for a representative sample of the registered deer. This data is combined with information gathered during field studies to calculate an estimate of what the deer population was like when the hunting season began.
Since the early 1960s, the DNR has used a statistical formula called the SAK model to estimate, not count, Wisconsin’s deer population. Information from hunter harvests is the foundation for making this estimate. There is no way to duplicate the details about the deer herd that more than 600,000 hunters help us capture each year, and the SAK method capitalizes on this power. The specifics that hunters provide when registering their deer are the most important parts of the deer population estimate.
SAK incorporates the registered buck harvest and other data collected by hunters and field biologists using a series of equations developed with decades of sound population data to estimate the size and makeup of the buck, doe and fawn populations as they were prior to the hunting season.
SAK in detail
Let’s look at the SAK method in more detail. There are several parts to the SAK model: the buck harvest, the buck harvest rate, the age structure of bucks and does harvested (the adult sex ratio), and the fall fawn-to-doe ratio.
The buck harvest is the combined registered buck kill from all seasons and includes bucks taken using damage permits. In Wisconsin, this harvest data comes from the registration stubs hunters have provided since 1953. At registration stations, DNR staff and volunteers age a representative sample of deer brought in by hunters — more than 20,000 animals are aged each year. These data are critical for accurately estimating the buck harvest rate and the adult buck-to-doe ratio.
The buck harvest rate relies heavily on the data collected by aging bucks harvested statewide and on past research gauging the proportion of all bucks taken during legal hunting seasons. In heavily hunted populations, about 90 percent of buck mortality is due to legal harvest. In more lightly hunted populations, the legal harvest may account for only 60 percent of buck mortality. The buck harvest rate is generally higher in the southern farmland areas of Wisconsin where the deer range is more fragmented and hunter densities are higher than in the extensive northern forests, although this has been changing recently.
The adult sex ratio of adult does to bucks in the fall population is estimated by measuring the proportion of yearling does to yearling bucks from the harvest data. This is another factor that relies on the information we gather when aging deer at the registration stations. The comparisons year to year show that does live much longer than bucks.
Let me show how this factor is used. Hypothetically, if buck and doe fawns were born in approximately equal numbers and if bucks were to die about twice as fast as does do, then the proportion of yearling does in the harvest would be about twice that of yearling bucks. In this example, the adult sex ratio would be about 2:1 — two does per buck. In reality, there are between 1.2 and 2.3 adult does for every adult buck (at the start of the hunting season). Generally, there are more does per buck in southern Wisconsin where hunting pressure on bucks is higher.
The fall fawn-to-doe ratio is created by data collected by department staff and volunteers who keep records of deer observations from July through September. Biologists, foresters and many other volunteers record the number and type of deer they see and the DMU (management unit) in which the observation was made. The compiled data are used to estimate the yearly fawn production per doe around the state. That number is multiplied by the number of adult does to estimate the fawn population.
Essentially the number of bucks in the herd is estimated by dividing the number killed during the hunting season by the harvest rate. The doe estimate is made by multiplying the number of bucks harvested during the deer season by the ratio of adult does to adult bucks. The number of fawns is judged by multiplying this doe estimate by the fawn-to-doe ratio. Adding these three totals together provides an estimate of the deer population on the landscape before the hunting season opened.
To estimate the number of deer remaining after the hunting season, the total harvest is multiplied by 1.15 (to account for 15% of the population that we estimate may die from wounds or poaching mortality). That total is subtracted from the pre-hunt population to form a post-hunt population estimate. Those post-hunt estimates are built into the overwinter goals for the herd.
What SAK can and cannot do
SAK is a time-tested model that had been independently reviewed for reliability and precision several times. According to outside experts, the amount of data collected and the way SAK is used make Wisconsin’s deer population estimate one of the best in the nation. The SAK uses harvest information from hunters to estimate the deer population at two points: 1) pre-hunt (September 15) and post-hunt (February 1). The information used to form the SAK is robust because it is re-calculated every year from data collected when deer are harvested by more than 600,000 hunters. However, this model does have limits. SAK is not designed to predict how many deer will be in Wisconsin woods and fields before the fall hunting season begins. The harvest data can only be used to estimate the pre-hunt deer population in hindsight.
Long-term averages of historical data are used to estimate how deer herds change between February and September. Indices like the Winter Severity Index estimate how well the herd survives under various winter conditions. These averages are applied to project what may be expected to happen in any given year. Predicting the fall status of the herd is less accurate since these predictions are based on historic data on herd growth and are influenced by many factors, including winter weather and spring weather conditions that affect fawn survival.
For those of you who are a bit more interested in mathematics and statistics, we’ll delve into the SAK a bit deeper. The precision of SAK decreases as the sample size decreases. So the population estimates are much more precise and accurate for larger Deer Management Units covering a larger area. The SAK cannot estimate the deer population on a single parcel of property. This can be frustrating to hunters as the average deer density calculated by SAK for a whole management unit is not likely to be reflected in what they see right under their treestands. Deer are not distributed evenly across the landscape and their travel patterns change with time.
SAK also does not directly estimate the impact of predators on deer populations. However, since the estimate is valid immediately prior to the hunting season, the impact of predation is accounted for in the population estimates.
Hunt by observing deer habits and patterns.
Deer will largely stay put and stick to a small area of land following a daily pattern in moving from bedding areas to feeding areas to resting areas. To see the highest number of deer, hunters are best served to either set up along established deer trails or take actions to make the deer move. Changes in land ownership, access to hunting lands and hunting methods have definitely changed deer habits. Large family farms are being divided into smaller parcels. Smaller parcels make deer drives more difficult as hunters need to establish relationships with more landowners to get permission to hunt. Smaller parcels of land also usually mean more fences and more scattered development that can change deer movements.
Changing hunting methods also change the patterns and habits of the deer herd. Hunting from a treestand was legalized in the early 1970s and quickly became a favored method. Both hunters and deer are staying put. Deer are less likely to move and be seen as fewer drives are occurring. In addition, baiting and feeding for deer reduces deer movement and increases night feeding after hunting hours close for the day. If you are not seeing deer, here are some tips you can try that might increase your chances:
• still hunt for a while.
• organize deer drives — make sure you take extra safety precautions and know where all the hunters in your party are located.
• encourage other hunters to stop baiting in the area you are hunting.
• scout hunting areas before the season to find locations deer are frequenting. Just like fishing, if the fish aren’t biting in one spot, it’s often best to move to another spot.
Hunting restrictions that strongly influence the buck harvest rate can also cause biases in SAK estimates. For this reason, SAK is not used in management units with Earn-A-Buck seasons where hunters must first harvest a doe before shooting at bucks.
SAK scrutiny
SAK estimates of Wisconsin’s deer population hold up well when compared to the results from other methods such as helicopter counts, pellet surveys, road-kill trends, deer trail surveys, and buck harvest trends. Several independent groups have reviewed and audited the SAK model. As recently as 2006, an independent panel of nationally recognized experts in deer population monitoring and biometrics audited Wisconsin’s SAK method. The audit panel used a combination of computer simulations, literature review, and surveys by other states to better understand both the utility and credibility of the SAK model. The audit panel determined “Wisconsin has the most comprehensive and transparent deer management program for comparable states that harvest white-tailed deer.” The audit panel concluded the model does reasonably well at retroactively estimating deer abundance immediately before the hunting season at the statewide level. The panel also concluded SAK allows for an extensive population assessment in contrast to more expensive and intensive procedures. The audit panel also recommended potential improvements that DNR wildlife managers are working to implement where feasible.
The panel recommended continuing to use five-year averages for yearling buck and doe percentages. The panel also recommended reporting deer population estimates as both the number of deer in a DMU and the deer density per square mile of deer range in each DMU. Both recommendations were implemented.
Strengthening deer population estimates
Improving the quality and quantity of data used to make deer population estimates is always a work in progress. Our deer management program is also exploring opportunities to take full advantage of field observations by hunters, landowners and other citizens to better monitor the herd. One option is expanding the circle of partners and volunteers who provide summer fawn/doe observations.
Increasing the number of deer we can age at harvest time would also improve the estimate’s precision as would combining DMUs to form fewer but larger Deer Management Units, as recommended by the 2006 SAK audit panel.
Starting this year, the DNR wildlife team will collect more information from successful hunters on deer registration stubs to strengthen our information about the herd. Hunters will be asked how many deer they observed on the day their deer was harvested, the number of hours they hunted on the day of harvest, hunting weather conditions and buck/doe/fawn identification. In addition to the deer stub, we’re starting an online survey where hunters can record their daily sightings each time they hunt (dnr.wi.gov/org/ land/wildlife/harvest/survey.htm).
How can you help? If you hunt and harvest a deer, please fill out the registration stub carefully and completely. As you can appreciate, accurate information is key to improving our understanding and management of the deer herd. We also believe new information collected this year will help provide an index of deer sightings per hour of hunting. After collecting this information for a period of years, we hope to develop an index that tracks deer population estimates and harvest. On those days when you hunt but don’t harvest a deer, please take the time to log onto our website and complete the survey. The more you tell us about your hunting experiences, the more we will be able to build an index from hunter-collected data.
Sustaining Wisconsin’s deer population is very important to our hunting tradition and our state’s economy. Even if you don’t hunt, deer influence your home, your business, your recreation and your travel. Dependable deer population estimates are important for proper deer herd management.
For more details about managing Wisconsin’s deer herd:
• SAK Model Review Panel Audit Report: dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/SAKreport.pdf
• “Wisconsin’s Deer Management Program, The issues involved in decision making:” dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/Deerbook.pdf
• The Wisconsin DNR website, Deer Hunting in Wisconsin, includes 2009 deer season structure harvest information, deer hunting regulations and more: dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/
• To receive DNR Deer Program updates automatically via e-mail or RSS: service.govdelivery.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=WIDNR
Source: Wisconsin DNR
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/herdstory.pdf
Showing posts with label 2010 Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Season Proposal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Season Proposal. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Natural Resources Board raises deer population goals
EDITOR'S ADVISORY: This news release has been revised to correct information on the percentage increase of the deer herd under the revised goas. The new goals would result in an 8 percent increase the in population over current goals.
MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board has approved revisions to proposed overwinter population goals for white-tailed deer, raising this management benchmark to a statewide target of nearly 800,000, which is a Correction -- 8 percent increase over current levels.
The board, meeting in Madison March 16, approved increases in population targets in 43 of Wisconsin’s 131 deer management units. The new goals were developed at the request of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee after the committee heard testimony on hunter dissatisfaction with the number of deer seen and harvested during the 2009 gun deer season. The legislative committee did not accept a previous proposal to raise population targets in 13 deer management units.
The modified rule will now be returned to the legislature for review by the Senate and Assembly natural resources committees.
“Population goals serve as the foundation for managing the deer herd and determining deer hunting season structures,” said Keith Warnke, big game ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “Goals are reviewed every three years and are developed with input from the public. This current review process had the added input of a select advisory group representing hunting and conservation organizations, woodland owners, forest managers and agriculture.”
The department works to maintain healthy, sustainable wildlife populations for now and for future generations by balancing social, economic and ecosystem objectives.
State law directs the department to maintain a herd in balance with its habitat and at a population compatible with a variety of factors including a management unit’s capacity to support deer, browsing impacts, animal disease risks, vehicle-deer collisions, hunter access to land in the unit, tribal agreements, ability to keep populations at goal, crop damage and hunter satisfaction
Members of the Natural Resources Board heard that the proposed modifications are shifting the balance prescribed in state law in favor of hunter success in harvesting and seeing deer.
“We understand there is hunter frustration out there,” said Warnke. “We also acknowledge that these increases have the potential for impacts on agriculture, forestry and road safety.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke – (608) 264-6023
Source: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=214#art1
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource
MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board has approved revisions to proposed overwinter population goals for white-tailed deer, raising this management benchmark to a statewide target of nearly 800,000, which is a Correction -- 8 percent increase over current levels.
The board, meeting in Madison March 16, approved increases in population targets in 43 of Wisconsin’s 131 deer management units. The new goals were developed at the request of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee after the committee heard testimony on hunter dissatisfaction with the number of deer seen and harvested during the 2009 gun deer season. The legislative committee did not accept a previous proposal to raise population targets in 13 deer management units.
The modified rule will now be returned to the legislature for review by the Senate and Assembly natural resources committees.
“Population goals serve as the foundation for managing the deer herd and determining deer hunting season structures,” said Keith Warnke, big game ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “Goals are reviewed every three years and are developed with input from the public. This current review process had the added input of a select advisory group representing hunting and conservation organizations, woodland owners, forest managers and agriculture.”
The department works to maintain healthy, sustainable wildlife populations for now and for future generations by balancing social, economic and ecosystem objectives.
State law directs the department to maintain a herd in balance with its habitat and at a population compatible with a variety of factors including a management unit’s capacity to support deer, browsing impacts, animal disease risks, vehicle-deer collisions, hunter access to land in the unit, tribal agreements, ability to keep populations at goal, crop damage and hunter satisfaction
Members of the Natural Resources Board heard that the proposed modifications are shifting the balance prescribed in state law in favor of hunter success in harvesting and seeing deer.
“We understand there is hunter frustration out there,” said Warnke. “We also acknowledge that these increases have the potential for impacts on agriculture, forestry and road safety.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke – (608) 264-6023
Source: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=214#art1
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Meeting Mintes from Wisconsin Conservation Congress Executive Council January 8th 2010
Wisconsin Conservation Congress Executive Council
Minutes
St. Point Holiday Inn
Jan. 08, 2010
Meeting was called to order by Chr. Edgar Harvey at 9:05 A.M. Roll call was taken by Sec. Kirchmeyer. Those present from the Ex. Council were, Richard Kirchmeyer. Joe Weis, Ray Smith, Al Brown, Roger Sabota, Mike Riggle, Arold Ninneman, Mark Noll, Mark Schultz, Dave Puhl, Stan Brownell, Dale Mass, Dick Koerner, Ed Harvey, John Edelblute, Mike Rogers, Lee Farney, Ken Risley, Al Phelan, Al Shook, Rob Bohmann, Jim Wrolstad. Those excused were Wade Jeske and Jo Ann Kuharske.
Also present were DNR liaisons Kurt Thiede and Kari Zimmerman. There were many other quests, some congress delegates, DNR personnel, authors of resolutions and interested sportsmen. They are as follows; Scott MaCully, George Bartels, Tony Blatler, Frank Reith, Tony Grabski, Scott Zimmerman, Tim Andryk, Ken Riesley, Scott Loomans, Jeff Pitzel, Tom Van Horn, Chief Warden Randy Starks, Tim Schuts, Dave Miller, Wes Dominee, Steve Oestreicher, John Olson, Al Lobner, Kendal Durham, Mike Staggs, Ron Kulas, Tom Hauge, Bill VanderZowen, Todd Schaller, and Steve Avelallemont.
There were no agenda repairs or corrections.
Chr. Harvy gave a short update on what has happened since the council last met.
Kurt Thiede WCC liaison also gave a report.
Kari and Kurt gave a presentation on responsibilities of comm., chairs, v. chairs, cochairs and sec. A review of Roberts Rules of Order and how important they are when conducting a meeting.. They then gave a very good presentation on Wisconsin’s Open
Meetings Laws.
Next agenda item was the WCC’s 2010 proposed spring hearing questions.
#1 Lead reduction in fishing tackle.
Motion by Shook 2nd by Puhl to advance to the spring hearing
Mass wondered what would happen to those people who like to make their own lures..
He would like more info on what lures could be made of other that lead by spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED
#2 Youth bear hunt
Motion by Kirchmeyer 2nd by Smith to advance to the spring hearing.
Shook wondered how many permits would be available per management zone.
Riggle thought that many more people would apply and make the wait to receive a harvest permit would take much longer.
Rogers stated he really didn’t care who harvested the bear as long as it was done legally.
Kirchmeyer responded to the questions. The permits would be divided in each management zone by bear populations or evenly per management zone. The amount of youth that would be starting to apply would not be much of an increase because if they were interested in bear hunting they already would probably be applying. MOTION FAILED
#3,4,5,6,and7 Motion was made by Phelan 2nd by Rogers to act on questions 3,4,5,6,and 7 as a group and advance them to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED
#8 Increase over winter goals on deer by 25% Motion by Bohmann 2nd by Sabota to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED
#9 No change to DMU’s from 2009
Motion was made by Risley 2nd by Phelan to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#10 Allow group bowhunting for antlerless deer in CWD zone.
Motion was made by Phelan 2nd by Wrolstad to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION
CARRIED.
#11 Game farm owners to reimburse DNR for expenses.
Motion was made by Wrolstad 2nd by Ninneman to advance to the spring hearing.
MOTION CARRIED
#12 Quartering of deer (DNR has question also)
Motion was made by Shook 2nd by Puhl to advance to spring hearing. A motion to amend was made by Wrolstad to only advance if the DNR didn’t put the question on their portion of the questionnaire. 2nd was made by Weis. MOTION TO AMEND WAS CARRIED. MOTION TO ADVANCE WAS THEN CARRIED.
#13 3 Year moratorium on no EAB and HC
Motion was made by Schultz 2nd by Wrolstad to advance to the spring hearing Schultz The DNR estimates deer the deer herd, they don’t count them.
Bohmann made an amendment to the question to include the CWD zone. 2nd was made by Risley.
Noll This was not supported by the Big Game comm. many people outside of the CWD zone don’t care about that zone and the deer in the CWD zone will still die of the disease.
Farney attended the CWD sub comm. and the DNR suggested that they may need to reduce deer numbers in the areas surrounding the CWD zone to protect the rest of the state.
Noll is scared of the spread of the disease; many people are being selfish and are protecting deer.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION FAILED. 6 YES 12 NO
MOTION REJECTED.
#14 Concept of antler restrictions.
Motion was made by Bohmann 2nd by Riggle to advance to the spring hearing.
Ninneman knows the author and he is a private land owner. In the authors area there is a very good percentage of public land.
Shook commented that there already is an antler restriction which is 3 inches.
Koerner said he has hunted for over 60 years and he remembers when there were antler restrictions and he opposes this restriction now. Hunters should be able to shoot what ever they want.
Noll Is the state ready for mandatory QDM?
Phelan this concept and idea has been around for some time.
Riggle some groups were promoting this on the ALT. E.A.B. comm. MOTION CARRIED. 12 YES 8 NO
#15 Archery buck lisc.
Chr. Harvey read a letter from the WBH which asked the WCC not advance this question so they could discuss and work on the issue.
Motion was made by Sabota 2nd by Ninneman to advance to the spring hearing.
Edelblute asked what kind of permits bow hunters had before.
Noll many parts of the state are does are shot off now, also don’t really know why they should be able to shoot an antlerless deer and an antlered deer when people are complaining they are not seeing any deer.
Mass asked how many WBH members are on the Big Game Comm.
Puhl Gun hunters out number bow hunters on the Big Game comm. Maybe the DNR could suspend giving the bow hunters an antlerless permit now and when the deer herd has recovered they could get the permit back.
MOTION REJECTED 9 YES 10 NO
#16 Requiring secondary gates on cervid farms
Motion was made by Bohmann 2nd by Koerner
Farney asked what would it accomplish right now there is a farm with double gates and they don’t close the second one. MOTION CARRIED
#17 Allow ID of ownership of ice fishing shelters using DNR customer numbers Motion was made by Smith 2nd by Koerner to advance to spring hearing.
LE commented that the DNR now allows traps to be tagged with customer ID MOTION CARRIED
#18 Legalize .41 and .44 caliber pistol rounds in long gun deer hunting shotgun zones.
Motion was made by Mass 2nd by Koerner to advance to spring hearing.
Noll More confusion would be added to the regulations for hunters
Smith made an amendment to the motion to add .357 Mag. 2nd by Mass
Smith noted that would give a person all possibilities of available calibers.
Shook We now can use pistols in shot gun zones this would also allow in rifle zones.
Rogers The .44 is also available in rifles.
Weis. Why can you use hand guns in shot gun zones and not rifle zones is it because of the distances the shot gun can shoot?
Mass Newer muzzle loaders now can shoot 200-250 yards and they are used in shot gun zones.
Koerner Most people hunt from elevated stands so it is much safer.
Noll Why don’t we just legalize rifles state wide?
MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED ORIGINAL MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED. 15 YES 5 NO
#19 Use of blinds on state owned and managed lands.
Motion reject was made by Mass 2nd by Riggle.
Rogers Who would make the judgment call if a blind is active or not?
Weis This would be privatizing of public lands.
Sabota People would be staking out territory.
Shook This will cause fights like we already have with water fowl blinds.
Noll Some people may place blinds near others just to irk them, we don’t need any more conflicts amongst hunters. MOTION CARRIED
#20 Applications for fisher, otter and bobcat harvest permits.
Motion was made by Bohmann 2nd by Wrolstad to advance to spring hearing. Kirchmeyer amended to remove bobcat from question. 2nd was made by Riggle.
Puhl asked Zimmerman if the fur harvest comm. would have a problem with removing the bobcat from the question. He wasn’t sure.
Kirchmeyer added that not all applicants were trappers and others would have to buy a small gamer license just to apply for a bobcat permit. THE AMENMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED. THE ORIGINAL MOTION THEN CARRIED.
#21 Allow the hunting of predators over bait.
Motion was made by Ninneman 2nd by Shook too advance to spring hearing.
Rogers Mich. allows this practice now. May get more people involved in varmint hunting. Eagles and hawks will be attracted to the bait.
Noll Would there be a limit set on the amount of bait?
Mass Concerned about the placement and the removal of such baits after the season is over.
Shook Some people may have a problem of identifying legal game.
Ninneman Some states have been allowing this practice for many years.
Bohmannn made a motion to delete the last sentence. 2nd by Edelblute Harvey Would this allow the moving of carcasses s in the CWD zone? AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED. ORIGINAL MOTION THEN CARRIED.
#22 Preseason marking of trap sites.
Motion was made by Shook 2nd by Puhl to advance to spring hearing
Weis Can counties regulate this on their own lands?
Motion to amend to change some wording in the history and the question was made by
Weis 2nd was made by Wrolstad AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED. ORIGINAL MOTION THEN CARRIED.
#23 Closing the spring beaver season.
Motion was made by Wrolstad 2nd by Rogers to advance to the spring hearing.
Puhl This is necessary to trap beaver on trout streams.
Schultz There are lots of beaver on the Miss.
Rogrers Stated he likes to trap beaver but in his area there are no beaver left.
Weis There isn’t any water in the north for the beavers to dam up many streams.
MOTION CARRIED 16 YES 4 NO
#24 Funds for Great Lakes fisheries
Motion was made by Mass 2nd by Weis to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#25 General Purpose Revenue to fund our commercial fishing industry.
Motion was made by Mass 2nd by Sabota to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED
#26 Appointment of the DNR sec.
Motion was made by Phelan 2nd by Shook to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#27 Prohibit hunting of cervids within fenced enclosures in Wisc.
Motion was made by Shook 2nd by Puhl to advance to the spring hearing.
Riggle Whether you like fenced hunts the DNR regulates these facilities. Many farms make a living raising deer and having fenced hunts.
Edelblute Because of some these bigger farms fencing once hunt able land by the public now is no longer available to be hunted.
Noll Fenced in hunts is not hunting they should just call it shooting.
Risley We shouldn’t be able to tell some one what they can or can’t do it’s free enterprise. MOTION FAILED
#28 Non-resident 2 day fishing lisc.
Harvey There is a bill # AB577 which is asking for a 1 day non resident fishing lisc. This if passed could cost the DNR $470,000 in lost revenue if this bill passes. Motion to reject was made by Mass 2nd by Noll not to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#29 Lisc. reduction and exemptions for seniors and disabled persons.
Motion was made by Kirchmeyer 2nd by Puhl not to Advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#30 Allow sports lisc. to be used for gun or bow hunting.
Motion was made by Shook 2nd by Kirchmeyer to advance to the spring hearing.
MOTION CARRIED.
#31 Allow unattended open water decoys on private waters.
Motion was made by Edelblute 2nd by Koerner to advance to the spring hearing.
Noll Is this question worth asking?
Edelblute Who is going to make the judgment call on what waters are private or not?
Motion to advance to spring hearing REJECTED.
#32 Legalize 8 gauge shot guns with 10 gauge chamber inserts for water fowl.
Motion was made by Shook 2nd Koerner to advance to the spring hearing.
Authors comments: Many people would like to use vintage guns, you can use some modern ammunition, would use non-toxic shot.
Shook These shells are expensive.
Rogers How would the rechambering affect the shot pattern? Author; Not enough to worry about.
Ninnmeman Does it affect the range of the shot. No
MOTION CARRIED
#33 Allow harvest and use of bait on Miss. River and tributaries.
Motion was made by Noll 2nd by Puhl to advance to spring hearing.
Authors comments: This is a tradition, no VHS on the river, let people trap bait on the river and use the bait on the river.
Farney Would LE have a problem enforcing this?
LE. We wouldn’t be able to tell if the bait came from the river or else where.
Noll This is a huge resource used by many people.
Schultz This is very strong and old tradition in this area. MOTION CARRIED.
#34 Lower crossbow eligibility to age 55
Motion was made by Mass 2nd by Wrolstad to advance to the spring hearing.
Authors comments: It cost him a lot of money to get his wife’s cross bow permit.
Shook People as they get older it becomes harder to pull back a compound bow, and there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use one.
Phelan Advocates say it’s such an advance weapon.
Motion to amend by Phelan 2nd by Bohmann to take out the word advanced.
Motion to amend the amendment by Farney 2nd by Rogers to add alternative where advanced was. MOTION ON THE 2ND AMENDMENT CARRIED. MOTION ON THE ANMENDMENT CARRIED. MOTION CARRIED.
#35 Turkey preference for first time hunter’s ed. Graduates.
Motion was made by Smith 2nd by Rogers to advance to the spring hearing.
Shook 29-30,000 hunter ed. graduates per year. MOTION REJECTED
#36 Creation of a uniform statewide open hunting signs.
Motion was made by Puhl 2nd by Shook not o advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED NOT TO ADVANCE TO SPRING HEARING.
#37 Use of metal detectors on state lands.
Motion was made by Mass 2nd by Puhl not to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED NO TO ADVANCE TO SPRING HEARING.
#38 Stream access proposal.
Motion by Puhl 2nd was made by Brown not to advance to spring hearing. MOTION
NOT TO ADVANCE TO SPRING HEARING CARRIED.
#39 Land access program.
Motion was made by Weiss 2nd by Schultz to advance to spring hearing.
Kirchmeyer Who will make the evaluation of what excessive deer is?
Rogers Who will set the reduction in taxes if access was allowed? MOTION TO ADVANCE TO SPRING HEARING REJECTED.
#40 Extension of the inland trout season.
Motion was made by Kirchmeyer 2nd by Puhl not to advance to the spring hearing.
Reiter creates more opportunity to fish trout.
Kirchmeyer During this time some trout are spawning so they would be very susceptible to being caught. MOTION NOT TO ADVANCE TO SPRING HEARING FAILED.
Motion was made by Brown 2nd by Phelan to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#41 Open the Wis. inland trout one week prior to the regular fishing season.
Motion was made by Wrolstad 2nd by Brown to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#42 Overharvest of walleye on Silver Lake.
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Phelan to advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#43 Lowe daily bag limit on crappies north of HWY 8
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Shook to advance to the spring hearing.
Authors comments: There is a decline in size and quantities of crappies, there are 2 waters north of HWY 8 that have different bag limits that what the state wide daily bag limit is.
Puhl Who would set the bag limits on lakes the DNR?
Shook In 2003 Minn. Reduced daily bag limits on crappies to 10, and average size has gotten bigger since then. MOTION CARRIED.
#44 Pattern Lake walleye regulations.
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Ninneman To advance to the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#45 Musky size limit on Lake Redstone.
Motion was made by Smith 2nd by Wrolstad not to advance to the spring hearing.
Authors comments; Fishing guide. More fishing pressure on the lake because there is potential to harvest a trophy fish, good for the local economy, baitfish doing well, and DNR calls it a class A musky water.
Shook By raising the size limit you will not reduce the fishing pressure.
Rogers There is some local support.
Smith Not in favor he wants kids to be able to keep a fish.
Mass This will give an opportunity for more smaller fish to be handled and increase the chances of dead fish. MOTION NOT TO ADVANCE TO THE SPRING HEARING FAILED. A motion to advance to the spring hearing was made by Weis 2nd Puhl. MOTION CARRIED.
#46 Invasive species rules for fishing tournaments.
After much discussion this question was not written according to what the author had wanted not the warm water comm. meant to be advance. A motion was made by Weis 2nd by Bohmann to return the question back to comm. MOTION CARRIED.
#47 Removal of trophy muskie designation for Pelican Lake, Oneida co.
Motion was made by Shook 2nd by Wrolstad to advance to the spring hearing.
Authors comments; Local lake association, and township support, Native Americans spear the lake. (Legally 29 per year)
Bohmann We should raise the size limit to 40” state wide.
Weis State has put the state wide size limit of 40” on the back burner for one year.
Shook finally someone is asking for a size limit to be lowered.
Mass Supports lowering the size limit, the 50” size limit was in effect for 2 years.
MOTION CARRIED.
#48 50” size limit for musky on Whitefish Lake ,Sawyer co.
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Ninneman to advance to the spring hearing.MOTION CARRIED
#49 & 50 Sawyer co. Bass regulations.
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Wrolstad to advance to the spring hearing.
Weis Author didn’t intend for a state wide management. Motion to amend was made by
Weis 2nd by Wrolstad. The amendment is to take out the word state and substitute it with
Sawyer co. MOTION TO AMEND WAS CARRIED. ORIGINAL MOTION CARRIED.
#51 Fishing season expansion on Chippewa Flowage Sawyer co.
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Wrolstad to advance tot the spring hearing. MOTION CARRIED.
#52 Managing panfish as separate species.
Motion was made by Weis 2nd by Puhl to advance to the spring hearing. Motion to amend was made by Rogers 2nd by Puhl. The amendment is to add state wide in the question after the word categories. AMENDMENT CARRIED. ORIGINAL MOTION CARRIED.
Rogers suggested that resolution number ___________, that was rejected by the Warm
Water Study committee, should be reconsidered by the Exec. Council. He would like forwarded to the spring hearing. Motion by Roger s to forward to spring hearing 2nd was made by Fahrney.
Weis This was brought up before the WW comm. and rejected.
Wrolstad When are we going to quit protecting a species when there is no harvest available for consumption?
Rogers This is a god case to forward question to protect the species.
Puhl Is this the correct way to handle this question procedure wise?
Schultz The public is expecting us to discuss this.
Farney We must respect the decision made by the comm.
MOTION TO FORWARD TO SPRING HEARING REJECTED
Motion to recess was made by Sabota 2nd by Smith at 5:50p.m. MOTION CARRIED
Reconvene at 6:50p.m.
Sec. Matt Franks remarks
Estimated 10-12,000 10-11 year olds purchased lisc.
The DNR received $90,000 from vendor from the turkey lisc. fiasco which will be usedfor youth events.
Pitmann/Robinson funds receiving around $12 million usually this amount is around $8 million. The additional $4 million will be used to conduct research on deer and other needed studies.
The 75th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference will be held in Milwaukee this year on March 22nd and 23rd. 22% increase in bear permits over 2009
Invasive species Really clamping down on ballast discharges.
Budget Things are looking better after several, cuts were made, there was no increase in lisc. fees in the past budget. We are holding some vacancies open at this time.
Warden recruit class for 2010 Start in June hopefully stationed in 2011.
A key fisheries staff person will be hired.
Fur bearer specialist will be hired.
We are filling most critical positions at this time.
Thanked the WCC for their leadership with the deer issues.
Questions/comments
Bohmann Stakeholders group formed by the NRB was set up to fail. Hopes the DNR/NRB uses the WCC to facilitate such committees in the future. DNR needs to build public confidence in deer populations to succeed in managing the deer herd.
Farney Asian carp in Lake Michigan. Response; Asking for a 2nd electric barrier to be installed, need COR OF Engineers to activate electric barrier, needs to be an all out effort to stop the migration of the carp.
Koerner Rosendale farm Response; Manure (cow power) is a good source of energy, also making sure theystay in compliance with all regulations.
Chief Warden Randy Starks Remarks
Now have 23 warden vacancies.Hiring 10-14 new recruits this summer
26 wardens will be eligible for retirement by 2011.
Hunting Heritage Conference Feb. 19th -20th 2010 in Wausau
Water guards were very successful in stopping invasive species from being spread.
The Wildlife Compact is doing its job of catching people who have had their license. revoked.
2009 deer season had only 7 accidents which is 4th safest in history. In 1984 there were 60 accidents.
Mentored Hunting Program had no accidents with only one arrest made.(mentor was not within arms reach of youth).
15 hunter harassment citations written in the deer season..
#1 violation illegal baits 334 27% of all citations written
#7 No license Up 100%
Wardens need help from citizens to help make arrests.
Questions/comments
Edelblute Can a felon by a license? YES
Kirchmeyer Youth expo in Wausau is it going to happen? Not sure yet, all the funds
needed for the event to happen have not been secured.
Tom Hauge Wildlife report
Looking back in time things are definitely better than in 1938 when you could only hunt deer in 30 counties and they had to be forked on one side or better.
The NTA annual convention is in Marshfield in August sponsored by the WTA.
Bobcat study is under way.
The use of state lands to raise illegal drugs is becoming prevalent.
Questions/Comments
Koerner Did the DNR plant cougars? NO
Phelan Stated he completed the deer hunting survey.
Risley Remarked about the questions on the deer registration slips.
Mike Staggs Fisheries Report
Lake Puckaway fish die off 2,000 walleye died which is about 8-10% of the population.The die off occurred because of a legal commercial rough fish harvest.
!996 a barrier was installed in the Chicago River to stop invasive species from leaving
Lake Michigan and entering the Mississippi not to stop invasive species from the
Mississippi getting into Lake Michigan.
Many cuts in fisheries but the DNR will still be able to handle any emergencies that popup.
The planting of trout and salmon are the hardest hit.
Trout and sturgeon stamp funds will still be used to fund those projects at full strength.
Questions/comments
Bohmann Salmon Unlimited wants to work with the DNR to stock Lake Trout near the reef areas.1 year old fry will be stocked but not until 2o12 in that area, the Kettle
Morraine area fish hatchery is having operation problems.
Koerner. How is the chemical put in the water to kill the carp? It is dispensed from a boom stretched over the water and it naturally excretes out.
Mass The rough fish commercial harvesters are really only farming the carp, because they only put nets in the water with holes that will catch bigger carp so in this way they will always leave smaller carp which will leave plenty of carp in the water for the future harvest on that water.
Scott Loomans gave a report on the preliminary suggested wildlife questions for spring hearing.
A motion was made by Phelan 2nd by Bohmann to have the Ex. Council approve Chr.
Harvey attending the January NRB meeting and request that the DNR place a rule change question on the spring questionnaire to allow the use of archery equipment during the statewide deer firearm season using an archery license and be implemented for the 2010 deer season. MOTION CARRIED.
Mike Staggs gave a report on the questions the DNR is forwarding to the spring hearing dealing with fish.
Members comments
Mass Motion to request that Chr. Harvey ask that the NR at the January board meeting enact question #75 from the 2009 spring hearings which was supported by the public. 2nd by Koerner MOTION CARRIED.
Koerner wants committees to test the waters on more of the questions that come from the spring hearings.
Phelan Would like to see the use of rifles for deer hunting state wide.
Farney WCC was asked not to lobby on certain subjects. Is this cleared up? YES
Rogers doesn’t like the fact that the legislators are involved in proposing new turkey seasons this circumvents the WCC. Groups are starting to buy up thousands of acres of land and controlling the deer however they see fit.
Brown Write Obey/Feingold on the Wolf issue if we want anything to happen.
Noll The deer herds will fluctuate they will rebound in time.
Risley The deer counters need to look at the SAK and also look at the whole process of estimating deer populations.
Shook praised the congress for the leadership it has taken on the deer issues and other projects.
Riggle Make a call to your legislators it does work. Let them know what you think.
Brownell We shouldn’t tear down what a committee has done with a resolution.
Wrolstad doesn’t like that some resolutions come back time after time.
Sabota Call your legislators.
Edelblute some committees need help in developing questions.
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 10:05 P.M. BY Puhl 2nd by Weis MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully Submitted By; Richard Kirchmeyer Sec.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Senator Neal Kedzie 2009 Wisconsin Gun Deer Hunt Survey Results
The survey results are out on the survey that was collected by the office of State Senator Neal Kedzie. Below you will see the numbers and percentages of the answers given in regards to the 2009 Wisconsin Deer Gun season. I have posted the link to the results PDF below the statistics so that you can view the comments.
The only area that I found to be of real value was the 7.5% of respondents who said they would not hunt next year. I am assuming here, but these may be the people who are not the die-hards but mostly the weekend warriors who are out for sake of being out with friends and family. On the business side, these are exactly who we want to bring into our state to hunt. They are bringing money to buy tags, buy food and groceries. If we dont have a great herd, these are the types of hunters we will lose. I'm also assuming that of the 7.5% will calm down and hunt next year but its still an alarming number that is starting to grow if we dont have an excellent deer herd.
A lot of talk has been surrounding the reasons why the hunt was low, such as corn still standing, foggy conditions, higher than normal temperatures, and so on. So are all the deer in the corn? If they are, we should ask the land owners if we can do a little herd count on those lands. I am just thinking this may be a way to calm down a lot of hunters if we can actually prove that the deer are in the corn. Its true, deer slow down in warmer temps, and yes, fog is tough to see through but these two conditions cannot simply be the reason that deer sightings and harvest numbers are so low. Lets count the deer in the corn, they have to be in there right?
Finally, I recommend you read a column from Pat Durkin, Pat Durkin column: Deer alarmists react without facts. I get what he's saying, he does a great job of proving that we should all take a breath before reacting. However, his method of proving Rep Scott Gunderson wrong on why it will take generations for the herd to recover is a bit flawed. According to Pat Durkin and his column, he uses the study from George Reserve in Michigan: "Researchers at Michigan's George Reserve twice showed deer herds capable of 50 percent annual growth. Starting with six whitetails in 1928, the reserve's herd boomed to 222 in seven years. And in 1975, after reducing the herd to 10 deer, most of which were fawns, researchers reported the herd at 212 after six breeding seasons." What Durkin fails to mention is that the George Reserve is mostly fenced in. You can't compare generation growth from deer who live in a reserve. Not good Durkin. Try again.
Anyways...here are the survey results, enjoy and post your comments. I look forward to your feedback.
Overall
Total Number of Survey Respondents………………………8,432
Number of Deer Seen
Average Deer Seen……………………………………………...5.2
Percentage that did not see a deer…………………………….15%
Percentage that saw 1 deer………………………………….…12%
Percentage that saw 2 deer………………………………….11.5%
Percentage that saw 3 or fewer deer………………………..48.5%
Deer Harvested
Percentage that shot a buck…………………………………….17%
Percentage that shot a doe……………………………………...14%
Percentage that did not harvest a deer…………………………70%
Most significant factor contributing to low harvest number
DNR Herd Management Policies: 6,468….77% (Only response on 3,287 or 39%)
Predators depleting the herd: 3,045………36%
Weather Conditions: 1,233…………………15%
Lower fawn production: 929………………..11%
Bad luck: 85………………………………..0.01%
Other: 1,242………………………………….15%
Not Sure: 209………………………………0.02%
Will you deer hunt next year?
Yes………………………….50%
No…………………………..7.5%
Unsure…………………….40.5%
The only area that I found to be of real value was the 7.5% of respondents who said they would not hunt next year. I am assuming here, but these may be the people who are not the die-hards but mostly the weekend warriors who are out for sake of being out with friends and family. On the business side, these are exactly who we want to bring into our state to hunt. They are bringing money to buy tags, buy food and groceries. If we dont have a great herd, these are the types of hunters we will lose. I'm also assuming that of the 7.5% will calm down and hunt next year but its still an alarming number that is starting to grow if we dont have an excellent deer herd.
A lot of talk has been surrounding the reasons why the hunt was low, such as corn still standing, foggy conditions, higher than normal temperatures, and so on. So are all the deer in the corn? If they are, we should ask the land owners if we can do a little herd count on those lands. I am just thinking this may be a way to calm down a lot of hunters if we can actually prove that the deer are in the corn. Its true, deer slow down in warmer temps, and yes, fog is tough to see through but these two conditions cannot simply be the reason that deer sightings and harvest numbers are so low. Lets count the deer in the corn, they have to be in there right?
Finally, I recommend you read a column from Pat Durkin, Pat Durkin column: Deer alarmists react without facts. I get what he's saying, he does a great job of proving that we should all take a breath before reacting. However, his method of proving Rep Scott Gunderson wrong on why it will take generations for the herd to recover is a bit flawed. According to Pat Durkin and his column, he uses the study from George Reserve in Michigan: "Researchers at Michigan's George Reserve twice showed deer herds capable of 50 percent annual growth. Starting with six whitetails in 1928, the reserve's herd boomed to 222 in seven years. And in 1975, after reducing the herd to 10 deer, most of which were fawns, researchers reported the herd at 212 after six breeding seasons." What Durkin fails to mention is that the George Reserve is mostly fenced in. You can't compare generation growth from deer who live in a reserve. Not good Durkin. Try again.
Anyways...here are the survey results, enjoy and post your comments. I look forward to your feedback.
2009 Gun Deer Hunt Survey Responses
Office of State Senator Neal Kedzie
Wisconsin’s 11th Senate District
Overall
Total Number of Survey Respondents………………………8,432
Number of Deer Seen
Average Deer Seen……………………………………………...5.2
Percentage that did not see a deer…………………………….15%
Percentage that saw 1 deer………………………………….…12%
Percentage that saw 2 deer………………………………….11.5%
Percentage that saw 3 or fewer deer………………………..48.5%
Deer Harvested
Percentage that shot a buck…………………………………….17%
Percentage that shot a doe……………………………………...14%
Percentage that did not harvest a deer…………………………70%
Most significant factor contributing to low harvest number
DNR Herd Management Policies: 6,468….77% (Only response on 3,287 or 39%)
Predators depleting the herd: 3,045………36%
Weather Conditions: 1,233…………………15%
Lower fawn production: 929………………..11%
Bad luck: 85………………………………..0.01%
Other: 1,242………………………………….15%
Not Sure: 209………………………………0.02%
Will you deer hunt next year?
Yes………………………….50%
No…………………………..7.5%
Unsure…………………….40.5%
Friday, December 18, 2009
DNR Secretary Matt Frank Testimony from December 17th Meeting
Here is the text of Wiscsonsin DNR Secretary Matt Frank's testimony from the December 17th Department of Natural resources meeting.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website:
Text of DNR Secretary Matt Frank’s testimony to joint session of legislative committees considering proposed changes to deer management unit population goals
News Release Published: December 17, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Robert Manwell (608) 264-9248
MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank appeared before a joint Senate and Assembly legislative committee today to testify on proposed revisions to Deer Management Unit population goals. Secretary Frank also presented the joint session with a brief summary of the current deer hunting seasons.
The following is the text of Secretary Frank’s testimony.
December 17, 2009
Assembly Fish & Wildlife Committee and Senate Transportation, Tourism, Forestry & Natural Resources Committee
Good morning Chairs Hraychuck and Holperin and members of the Committees. I’m pleased to be here today to share with you a brief snapshot of Wisconsin’s 158th deer hunt before we address the proposed deer management unit population goals for the next three years. The annual deer report is normally first delivered to the Natural Resources Board at its December meeting which this year was canceled due to a pretty good Wisconsin snowstorm. A copy of the report has been provided to the Board and has been provided to you as well.
I was out at deer registration stations on opening weekend and also got away a couple of days to hunt myself. Since the season closed we have heard from a lot of hunters who were frustrated with the hunt. We intend to be responsive to those concerns, but I would first like to make some general observations.
The Wisconsin hunting heritage is a powerful force in our state; for families, for hunters, our economy and our quality of life.
Consider these facts from the current season:
• The hunting tradition is strong and vibrant in Wisconsin. We have some of the best deer hunting opportunities in the nation. For the 2009 deer hunt season to date, we sold 638,040 gun licenses and 204,833 bow licenses. These figures are just slightly below the numbers for last season. While 94 percent of hunters were Wisconsin residents, hunters from all 50 states once gain came to hunt in Wisconsin this year.
• Overall, the 2009 nine-day gun hunt was the fourth safest on record with no fatalities. There were seven nonfatal incidents.
• More than 10,000 10- and 11-year tried out deer hunting on the state’s new mentored hunting licenses. I thank the Chairs, the members of these committees, and the legislature for passing the mentored hunting bill in this past year. Of the new youth, 20 percent were girls. There was not a single hunting incident involving these hunters.
• The October Youth hunt harvest increased by 50 percent to more than 6,000 deer on the youth hunt weekend.
• Wisconsin annually ranks nationally in the top five states in the number of deer hunting licenses sold. And we are in the top three in total expenditures for hunting. Deer hunting is a $1 billion driver of our state economy.
We are one of the top three states in the nation for Boone and Crockett trophy whitetails, including a new state record buck taken by bow and arrow this fall.
While our hunting tradition is something we are both proud of and thankful for, of all the work done by the DNR, there is probably no subject that generates more controversy or criticism than deer herd management. That was true 50 years ago when the old Conservation Department was in charge, and it will probably be true 50 years from today. People are passionate about their opinions. Our challenge is to have a good system in place for public input, and to make the best science based decisions we can on how we manage the herd.
As we do so, good dose of humility is always in order. White-tail deer have lived on Wisconsin’s vast and varied landscape for thousands of years, long before any immigrants arrived. Understanding deer and how they interact with their ecosystem is a significant challenge. The ecosystem is constantly changing, and our understanding of the system is always evolving. For example, one of the areas we are focused on is the impact of natural predators in the ecosystem -- wolves, bears and coyotes. We are taking steps to improve the S-A-K population estimate model. And, we are laying the groundwork to do significant research on the impact of deer browse on forest regeneration.
Our 2009 pre-season forecast anticipated a lower harvest primarily due to an expected reduction in antlerless harvest. This reduction was a response to population declines in the last two years which were a result of herd reductions efforts as well as below average fawn production. Statewide preliminary registration figures indicate the harvest during the nine-day gun season was down 29 percent from 2008 to 196,098. This includes 86,708 antlered bucks -- a 12 percent decrease -- and 109,390 antlerless deer – a 39 percent decrease from 2008.
We know that the herd is smaller in some regions of the state which is why we took action to reduce the harvest in those areas. During this season, 13 deer management units had no bonus antlerless permits. 38 units were moved out herd control to regular season, and 29 units were moved out of earn-a-buck, all contributing to a decline in antlerless harvest. In all, the number of regular units increased from 21 in 2008 to 59 in 2009.
Following the 2008 season, hunters told us they told us they wanted fewer antlerless deer harvested. As a result, we greatly reduced the number of antlerless permits available and antlerless harvest went down accordingly. In 2009 there were 78 units (of 132 statewide) where we reduced antlerless deer hunting opportunity. This reduction in permits contributed to the decline in gun deer harvest.
In some areas of the state the deer population is below goal, and our efforts are focused on increasing the population. In other parts of the state, we are still above goal. For example, in the CWD zone in the southern part of the state, over-population has been a contributing factor to the increased prevalence of CWD in the deer herd, increasing the risk of spread of this disease.
Overall, fewer deer on the landscape equals fewer deer seen and fewer harvested. We must continue to manage toward a sustainable, healthy deer population.
Wisconsin’s experience in 2009 is not unique. Our neighboring Great Lakes states and provinces also experienced harvest declines. Deer harvest is down 12 percent in Minnesota, 10-20 percent in Michigan, 20-30 percent in the UP, and 24 percent in Quebec.
Over the next few months, our staff will look carefully at the data hunters provided us on their registration stubs – data that is the foundation of our science-based management -- to determine where we now stand with respect to the size of the deer population. We know the state’s herd varies by region and careful analysis is needed before we move ahead with future season recommendations.
We also will continue to seek input from the public on deer management objectives and policy. In addition to advisory groups, public meetings and hearings, hunters can now give us feedback through a modified deer registration stub and an online database where hunters can record field observations of weather conditions, hours hunted and number of deer seen.
Deer Management Units and Population Goals
This brings us to deer population goals and Deer Management Unit boundaries. The department remains committed to supporting Wisconsin’s hunting traditions and managing for a healthy, sustainable and ecologically balanced deer population. In the early part of this decade, the deer population reached unsustainable levels in much of the state. It’s the department’s job to bring populations down to the population goals approved through an extensive public process with ultimate review by the legislature. It is also our job to use deer management tools to raise the deer population in regions where it is below goal.
The criteria we must follow to determine deer population goals come from laws passed by the legislature. These laws require the Department to manage the deer population for conservation of ecosystems and for future generations’ use and enjoyment. They require the Department to keep agricultural and forestry damage to tolerable levels. Our administrative code further emphasizes the balance that deer goals must strike: NR 1.15 directs that the “department shall seek to maintain a deer herd in balance with its range and at deer population goals reasonably compatible with social, economic and ecosystem objectives for each deer management unit.”
Unit boundaries and population goals are reviewed at approximately three year intervals. In 2005, this committee reviewed and approved the goals that are now in place. Today you are reviewing Natural Resources Board changes approved in October that will guide our herd management decisions for the next three years. As we have done before, we once again welcome input from your committees before these goals are finalized.
The changes before you were developed with extensive public involvement. Beginning in January 2009, a large stakeholder group made up of representatives of hunting groups, landowners, foresters, farmers and ecologists convened to lead this goal review. I would like to extend our gratitude to these hard working volunteers who take deer management very seriously.
The process for this goal review included the stakeholder panel, 40 public meetings to gather input, several web based surveys, eight public hearings across the state to review this rule, as well as Natural Resource Board review and approval.
There are many factors to consider when establishing deer goals -- preserving Wisconsin’s great deer hunting tradition for future generations, forest impacts, agricultural impacts, public safety as measured by car-deer collisions, preventing animal disease transmission, and others.
Wisconsin’s 16 million acres of forest land support great deer habitat as well other important economic and environmental values. When the deer population is too high the regeneration of our forests is put at risk, threatening deer habitat and future deer hunting opportunities as well as our forestry based economy. Wisconsin’s paper and wood products industry is #1 in the country. Our forests are a tremendous natural resource that provide the foundation for 68,000 family-supporting jobs. Forestry related companies are the #1 employer in 23 Wisconsin counties.
Deer also impact another vitally important sector of Wisconsin’s economy, agriculture. The year 2000 was a peak year in Wisconsin’s deer hunt -- over 615,000 deer were harvested. As we have moved closer to deer population goals over the last few years, agriculture impacts have been reduced. In 2000, over 15,000 acres were damaged by deer and 339,000 bushels of corn lost, as well as 71,000 bushels of soybeans lost. By comparison, in 2008, a little over 8,000 acres were damaged by deer, 172,000 bushels of corn lost, and 30,000 bushels of soybeans lost.
Public safety is another factor that the Department must consider in setting deer population goals. While most Wisconsin citizens expect that car-deer collisions are a part of living in Wisconsin, they expect the DNR to keep these collisions in an acceptable range. As we have moved closer to deer population goals over the past decade, the number of deer caused collisions have declined. DNR numbers for deer carcass removals from our highways declined from 48,000 in 2003 to 28,000 in 2008. The number of car-deer collisions reported by police to DOT declined from over 20,000 in 2000, to just over 15,800 in 2008.
These numbers are not just statistics. Ten people died on our highways last year from car-deer collisions. In the 1990s, the trend was better, with fatalities from car-deer crashed averaging just over 5 per year, compared with 10 per year since 2000.
Disease management also remains a key concern. Chronic Wasting Disease poses a serious threat to a healthy, sustainable deer herd and our hunting heritage. Population goals inside and outside the CWD zone need to reflect our strongest efforts to slow disease spread.
Balancing all of these goals is a challenging task. Our responsibility is to establish goals that will sustain our great hunting heritage, result in a healthy deer population that is sustainable on our landscape, and consider the impacts deer have on all facets of life in Wisconsin. The rule before you today follows the recommendations of the stakeholder group, with extensive public input. These rules represent our best efforts to strike an acceptable balance that will ensure ecosystem conservation and sustain our hunting heritage for generations to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.
You can also find the text at:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1533
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website:
Text of DNR Secretary Matt Frank’s testimony to joint session of legislative committees considering proposed changes to deer management unit population goals
News Release Published: December 17, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Robert Manwell (608) 264-9248
MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank appeared before a joint Senate and Assembly legislative committee today to testify on proposed revisions to Deer Management Unit population goals. Secretary Frank also presented the joint session with a brief summary of the current deer hunting seasons.
The following is the text of Secretary Frank’s testimony.
December 17, 2009
Assembly Fish & Wildlife Committee and Senate Transportation, Tourism, Forestry & Natural Resources Committee
Good morning Chairs Hraychuck and Holperin and members of the Committees. I’m pleased to be here today to share with you a brief snapshot of Wisconsin’s 158th deer hunt before we address the proposed deer management unit population goals for the next three years. The annual deer report is normally first delivered to the Natural Resources Board at its December meeting which this year was canceled due to a pretty good Wisconsin snowstorm. A copy of the report has been provided to the Board and has been provided to you as well.
I was out at deer registration stations on opening weekend and also got away a couple of days to hunt myself. Since the season closed we have heard from a lot of hunters who were frustrated with the hunt. We intend to be responsive to those concerns, but I would first like to make some general observations.
The Wisconsin hunting heritage is a powerful force in our state; for families, for hunters, our economy and our quality of life.
Consider these facts from the current season:
• The hunting tradition is strong and vibrant in Wisconsin. We have some of the best deer hunting opportunities in the nation. For the 2009 deer hunt season to date, we sold 638,040 gun licenses and 204,833 bow licenses. These figures are just slightly below the numbers for last season. While 94 percent of hunters were Wisconsin residents, hunters from all 50 states once gain came to hunt in Wisconsin this year.
• Overall, the 2009 nine-day gun hunt was the fourth safest on record with no fatalities. There were seven nonfatal incidents.
• More than 10,000 10- and 11-year tried out deer hunting on the state’s new mentored hunting licenses. I thank the Chairs, the members of these committees, and the legislature for passing the mentored hunting bill in this past year. Of the new youth, 20 percent were girls. There was not a single hunting incident involving these hunters.
• The October Youth hunt harvest increased by 50 percent to more than 6,000 deer on the youth hunt weekend.
• Wisconsin annually ranks nationally in the top five states in the number of deer hunting licenses sold. And we are in the top three in total expenditures for hunting. Deer hunting is a $1 billion driver of our state economy.
We are one of the top three states in the nation for Boone and Crockett trophy whitetails, including a new state record buck taken by bow and arrow this fall.
While our hunting tradition is something we are both proud of and thankful for, of all the work done by the DNR, there is probably no subject that generates more controversy or criticism than deer herd management. That was true 50 years ago when the old Conservation Department was in charge, and it will probably be true 50 years from today. People are passionate about their opinions. Our challenge is to have a good system in place for public input, and to make the best science based decisions we can on how we manage the herd.
As we do so, good dose of humility is always in order. White-tail deer have lived on Wisconsin’s vast and varied landscape for thousands of years, long before any immigrants arrived. Understanding deer and how they interact with their ecosystem is a significant challenge. The ecosystem is constantly changing, and our understanding of the system is always evolving. For example, one of the areas we are focused on is the impact of natural predators in the ecosystem -- wolves, bears and coyotes. We are taking steps to improve the S-A-K population estimate model. And, we are laying the groundwork to do significant research on the impact of deer browse on forest regeneration.
Our 2009 pre-season forecast anticipated a lower harvest primarily due to an expected reduction in antlerless harvest. This reduction was a response to population declines in the last two years which were a result of herd reductions efforts as well as below average fawn production. Statewide preliminary registration figures indicate the harvest during the nine-day gun season was down 29 percent from 2008 to 196,098. This includes 86,708 antlered bucks -- a 12 percent decrease -- and 109,390 antlerless deer – a 39 percent decrease from 2008.
We know that the herd is smaller in some regions of the state which is why we took action to reduce the harvest in those areas. During this season, 13 deer management units had no bonus antlerless permits. 38 units were moved out herd control to regular season, and 29 units were moved out of earn-a-buck, all contributing to a decline in antlerless harvest. In all, the number of regular units increased from 21 in 2008 to 59 in 2009.
Following the 2008 season, hunters told us they told us they wanted fewer antlerless deer harvested. As a result, we greatly reduced the number of antlerless permits available and antlerless harvest went down accordingly. In 2009 there were 78 units (of 132 statewide) where we reduced antlerless deer hunting opportunity. This reduction in permits contributed to the decline in gun deer harvest.
In some areas of the state the deer population is below goal, and our efforts are focused on increasing the population. In other parts of the state, we are still above goal. For example, in the CWD zone in the southern part of the state, over-population has been a contributing factor to the increased prevalence of CWD in the deer herd, increasing the risk of spread of this disease.
Overall, fewer deer on the landscape equals fewer deer seen and fewer harvested. We must continue to manage toward a sustainable, healthy deer population.
Wisconsin’s experience in 2009 is not unique. Our neighboring Great Lakes states and provinces also experienced harvest declines. Deer harvest is down 12 percent in Minnesota, 10-20 percent in Michigan, 20-30 percent in the UP, and 24 percent in Quebec.
Over the next few months, our staff will look carefully at the data hunters provided us on their registration stubs – data that is the foundation of our science-based management -- to determine where we now stand with respect to the size of the deer population. We know the state’s herd varies by region and careful analysis is needed before we move ahead with future season recommendations.
We also will continue to seek input from the public on deer management objectives and policy. In addition to advisory groups, public meetings and hearings, hunters can now give us feedback through a modified deer registration stub and an online database where hunters can record field observations of weather conditions, hours hunted and number of deer seen.
Deer Management Units and Population Goals
This brings us to deer population goals and Deer Management Unit boundaries. The department remains committed to supporting Wisconsin’s hunting traditions and managing for a healthy, sustainable and ecologically balanced deer population. In the early part of this decade, the deer population reached unsustainable levels in much of the state. It’s the department’s job to bring populations down to the population goals approved through an extensive public process with ultimate review by the legislature. It is also our job to use deer management tools to raise the deer population in regions where it is below goal.
The criteria we must follow to determine deer population goals come from laws passed by the legislature. These laws require the Department to manage the deer population for conservation of ecosystems and for future generations’ use and enjoyment. They require the Department to keep agricultural and forestry damage to tolerable levels. Our administrative code further emphasizes the balance that deer goals must strike: NR 1.15 directs that the “department shall seek to maintain a deer herd in balance with its range and at deer population goals reasonably compatible with social, economic and ecosystem objectives for each deer management unit.”
Unit boundaries and population goals are reviewed at approximately three year intervals. In 2005, this committee reviewed and approved the goals that are now in place. Today you are reviewing Natural Resources Board changes approved in October that will guide our herd management decisions for the next three years. As we have done before, we once again welcome input from your committees before these goals are finalized.
The changes before you were developed with extensive public involvement. Beginning in January 2009, a large stakeholder group made up of representatives of hunting groups, landowners, foresters, farmers and ecologists convened to lead this goal review. I would like to extend our gratitude to these hard working volunteers who take deer management very seriously.
The process for this goal review included the stakeholder panel, 40 public meetings to gather input, several web based surveys, eight public hearings across the state to review this rule, as well as Natural Resource Board review and approval.
There are many factors to consider when establishing deer goals -- preserving Wisconsin’s great deer hunting tradition for future generations, forest impacts, agricultural impacts, public safety as measured by car-deer collisions, preventing animal disease transmission, and others.
Wisconsin’s 16 million acres of forest land support great deer habitat as well other important economic and environmental values. When the deer population is too high the regeneration of our forests is put at risk, threatening deer habitat and future deer hunting opportunities as well as our forestry based economy. Wisconsin’s paper and wood products industry is #1 in the country. Our forests are a tremendous natural resource that provide the foundation for 68,000 family-supporting jobs. Forestry related companies are the #1 employer in 23 Wisconsin counties.
Deer also impact another vitally important sector of Wisconsin’s economy, agriculture. The year 2000 was a peak year in Wisconsin’s deer hunt -- over 615,000 deer were harvested. As we have moved closer to deer population goals over the last few years, agriculture impacts have been reduced. In 2000, over 15,000 acres were damaged by deer and 339,000 bushels of corn lost, as well as 71,000 bushels of soybeans lost. By comparison, in 2008, a little over 8,000 acres were damaged by deer, 172,000 bushels of corn lost, and 30,000 bushels of soybeans lost.
Public safety is another factor that the Department must consider in setting deer population goals. While most Wisconsin citizens expect that car-deer collisions are a part of living in Wisconsin, they expect the DNR to keep these collisions in an acceptable range. As we have moved closer to deer population goals over the past decade, the number of deer caused collisions have declined. DNR numbers for deer carcass removals from our highways declined from 48,000 in 2003 to 28,000 in 2008. The number of car-deer collisions reported by police to DOT declined from over 20,000 in 2000, to just over 15,800 in 2008.
These numbers are not just statistics. Ten people died on our highways last year from car-deer collisions. In the 1990s, the trend was better, with fatalities from car-deer crashed averaging just over 5 per year, compared with 10 per year since 2000.
Disease management also remains a key concern. Chronic Wasting Disease poses a serious threat to a healthy, sustainable deer herd and our hunting heritage. Population goals inside and outside the CWD zone need to reflect our strongest efforts to slow disease spread.
Balancing all of these goals is a challenging task. Our responsibility is to establish goals that will sustain our great hunting heritage, result in a healthy deer population that is sustainable on our landscape, and consider the impacts deer have on all facets of life in Wisconsin. The rule before you today follows the recommendations of the stakeholder group, with extensive public input. These rules represent our best efforts to strike an acceptable balance that will ensure ecosystem conservation and sustain our hunting heritage for generations to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.
You can also find the text at:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1533
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What Should the Wisconsin DNR do Next? Public Hearing, Thursday, December 17, 2009
In the last few weeks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has taken fire from different groups and individuals. Experts in the department spend countless hours in the field and in the office trying to desperately find ways to help manage the herd. Whether we agree or disagree that the efforts they are putting forth are accurate and well executed, we still have to agree to come up with a solution.
To help come to the next "best" option for deer hunters and those that manage the deer herd, I ask that those who can make it, attend the public hearing on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at our State Capitol.
Below you will see the official notice given of the public hearing so please attend or find a way to have someone voice your thoughts and opinions at this hearing, regardless of what side you are on.
Thank you
PUBLIC HEARING
Committee on Fish and Wildlife
The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below:
This will be a joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources
2009 Deer Season Review
The Committee will be briefed by the Department of Natural Resources on the 2009 deer season and population management tools.
Clearinghouse Rule 09-053
Relating to deer management unit population goals.
To help come to the next "best" option for deer hunters and those that manage the deer herd, I ask that those who can make it, attend the public hearing on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at our State Capitol.
Below you will see the official notice given of the public hearing so please attend or find a way to have someone voice your thoughts and opinions at this hearing, regardless of what side you are on.
Thank you
Assembly
PUBLIC HEARING
Committee on Fish and Wildlife
The committee will hold a public hearing on the following items at the time specified below:
Thursday, December 17, 2009
10:00 AM
411 South
State Capitol
This will be a joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources
2009 Deer Season Review
The Committee will be briefed by the Department of Natural Resources on the 2009 deer season and population management tools.
Clearinghouse Rule 09-053
Relating to deer management unit population goals.
Lawmakers Call for Suspension of December Anterless Deer Hunt: Official Release
I came in contact with a copy of the official release submitted to the Wisconsin DNR to suspend this weeks Anterless deer hunt. Whether we agree to suspend or not its a good time to debate how the deer herd should be managed.
December 4, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Representative Scott Gunderson (608) 266-3363
Representative Dean Kaufert (608) 266-5719
MADISON… In a letter to the Natural Resources Board, state lawmakers, today, requested that the Board take immediate action to suspend the 2009 December antlerless deer hunt. During the 9-day deer gun season, hunters registered the fewest deer in 27 years and 29 % fewer deer than just last year.
“In light of the historic declines in deer harvest over the past two seasons and the overwhelming sentiment by the hunters of Wisconsin, a suspension of the 2009 December antlerless season is crucial to safeguard our deer herd,” said Representative Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford). “It is absolutely imperative that the Board takes swift action to protect Wisconsin’s deer heard from further harm that may take generations to recover from.”
Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) continued, “We have heard from countless discouraged and frustrated hunters from all across Wisconsin who do not believe the Department’s deer herd estimate because they are not seeing deer out in the woods, especially antlerless deer. We need to listen to our hunters when they report fewer deer sightings; mild weather and areas of fog cannot explain the drastic reduction in the number of deer registered.”
While hunters across Wisconsin continuously report the lack of deer in the woods, there is significant evidence that their experiences in the woods are consistent with the actual number of deer. The number of deer carcasses removed by state contractors has plummeted for seven consecutive years, and is currently at the same levels as the late 1980’s. Predation by an underestimated bear population and an ever-growing wolf population has decimated the deer herd in vast areas of Wisconsin.
“The nine-day deer gun season is, not only steeped in tradition, but it also has an economic impact of over $1 billion for the state of Wisconsin,” stated Gunderson. “A 29% lower deer harvest this season is cause for concern, but on top of last season’s 26% total deer gun season harvest reduction; we have reached a critical crossroads for our deer herd in Wisconsin.”
“Because of deep tradition and the economic impact deer hunting has in Wisconsin, it is imperative that we act now before there are long-lasting and devastating effects on not only Wisconsin’s white-tail population, but also our economy,” concluded Kaufert.
# # #
December 4, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Representative Scott Gunderson (608) 266-3363
Representative Dean Kaufert (608) 266-5719
Lawmakers Call For Suspension of the December Antlerless Hunt
Action by Natural Resources Board Imperative to Protect Deer Herd
MADISON… In a letter to the Natural Resources Board, state lawmakers, today, requested that the Board take immediate action to suspend the 2009 December antlerless deer hunt. During the 9-day deer gun season, hunters registered the fewest deer in 27 years and 29 % fewer deer than just last year.
“In light of the historic declines in deer harvest over the past two seasons and the overwhelming sentiment by the hunters of Wisconsin, a suspension of the 2009 December antlerless season is crucial to safeguard our deer herd,” said Representative Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford). “It is absolutely imperative that the Board takes swift action to protect Wisconsin’s deer heard from further harm that may take generations to recover from.”
Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) continued, “We have heard from countless discouraged and frustrated hunters from all across Wisconsin who do not believe the Department’s deer herd estimate because they are not seeing deer out in the woods, especially antlerless deer. We need to listen to our hunters when they report fewer deer sightings; mild weather and areas of fog cannot explain the drastic reduction in the number of deer registered.”
While hunters across Wisconsin continuously report the lack of deer in the woods, there is significant evidence that their experiences in the woods are consistent with the actual number of deer. The number of deer carcasses removed by state contractors has plummeted for seven consecutive years, and is currently at the same levels as the late 1980’s. Predation by an underestimated bear population and an ever-growing wolf population has decimated the deer herd in vast areas of Wisconsin.
“The nine-day deer gun season is, not only steeped in tradition, but it also has an economic impact of over $1 billion for the state of Wisconsin,” stated Gunderson. “A 29% lower deer harvest this season is cause for concern, but on top of last season’s 26% total deer gun season harvest reduction; we have reached a critical crossroads for our deer herd in Wisconsin.”
“Because of deep tradition and the economic impact deer hunting has in Wisconsin, it is imperative that we act now before there are long-lasting and devastating effects on not only Wisconsin’s white-tail population, but also our economy,” concluded Kaufert.
# # #
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wisconsin Legislators Pushing for Suspending This Weeks Wisconsin Antlerless Deer Hunt
What a week it has been for the DNR.
Just last week the DNR was under fire, no pun intended, from Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker. Now a group a legislators are requesting that this weeks antlerless deer hunt be suspended.
According to a new release posted by the Associated Press, 22 legislators made their request in a letter to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. The letter dated last Wednesday was released to the media Friday, December 7th.
With a poor harvest in last months Wisconsin nine-day gun season, concerns are mounting and bringing out fire from Wisconsins top brass. Figures from the DNR show that Wisconsin hunters harvested fewer than 200,000 deer in comparison to recent years where 320,000 to 350,000 deer were harvested.
The antlerless-deer is scheduled for this week, Dec. 10-13.
Just last week the DNR was under fire, no pun intended, from Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker. Now a group a legislators are requesting that this weeks antlerless deer hunt be suspended.
According to a new release posted by the Associated Press, 22 legislators made their request in a letter to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. The letter dated last Wednesday was released to the media Friday, December 7th.
With a poor harvest in last months Wisconsin nine-day gun season, concerns are mounting and bringing out fire from Wisconsins top brass. Figures from the DNR show that Wisconsin hunters harvested fewer than 200,000 deer in comparison to recent years where 320,000 to 350,000 deer were harvested.
The antlerless-deer is scheduled for this week, Dec. 10-13.
Proposal for Wisconsin 16-day Deer Hunt in 2010 on Hold
How long will the season be for the 2010 Wisconsin gun deer season? It wont be 16 days long, yet. The DNR's proposal for the 16-day Wisconsin gun deer season has taken a back for the moment. Wisconsin DNR experts first want to take a moment to "analyze" this years deer hunt before making any more proposals.
According to the Associated Press, DNR secretary Matt Frank, released in a letter, "The department first wants to analyze data from the recently completed nine-day hunt, which produced the lowest kill number in years."
"Frank says a 16-day season remains an option for population control in the future. But he says it's more important now to review this season's numbers so the DNR can make better decisions in the future."
This is a step in the right direction for the moment.
According to the Associated Press, DNR secretary Matt Frank, released in a letter, "The department first wants to analyze data from the recently completed nine-day hunt, which produced the lowest kill number in years."
"Frank says a 16-day season remains an option for population control in the future. But he says it's more important now to review this season's numbers so the DNR can make better decisions in the future."
This is a step in the right direction for the moment.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Whitetails Unlimited Opposes Wisconsins 2010 16-day Deer Season Proposal
Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- Whitetails Unlimited sent a letter today to members of Wisconsin’s Natural Resources Board, opposing an expanded 16-day gun deer hunt in Wisconsin in 2010.
“There is always tension between hunters and DNR regulators, and we understand that,” said Whitetails Unlimited President Jeff Schinkten. “But the results of the 2009 gun deer season show that hunter numbers were down in Wisconsin, and the number of bucks killed was at a 25-year low for the second straight year. Until we can get a handle on the true deer population in Wisconsin, we need to hold off on the 16-day gun season.”
Schinkten also pointed out that car-deer accidents have had a dramatic and steady decline for the last five years, and a survey of WTU members showed a large gap between opinions of Wisconsin hunters and the opinions of DNR policymakers.
"Whitetails Unlimited has been a strong partner with DNR agencies across the country, working on programs in support of regulated hunting,” said Schinkten. “That will not change. In fact, there is an agenda item for the next NRB meeting that is a donation from our Flambeau Chapter for habitat work in the Upper Chippewa Wildlife Management Area. However, we don’t want to see the number of hunters drop, and when those numbers drop in Wisconsin, where deer hunting is a passion, we get concerned. DNR policy can have a huge effect on hunter satisfaction, and we just want a common-sense approach to wildlife management.”
The text of the letter to the NRB is as follows:
To: Members, Wisconsin Natural Resources Board
From: Whitetails Unlimited
Date: December 3, 2009
The Wisconsin DNR has a tremendous responsibility in managing the natural resources of the state, and it comes as no surprise that deer hunters in the state are very passionate about their sport. While there may always be tension between hunters and policymakers, the divergence of opinion in recent years has led to a level of tension that is actually damaging the sport.
After seeing the preliminary numbers of license sales and deer kills for the 2009 season, it is obvious that the hunting public is increasingly dissatisfied. This problem will get worse if the DNR continues under the existing philosophy, methods and goals.
Whitetails Unlimited is very concerned about the future of deer hunting in the state, and urges the DNR to fully evaluate all data, and to listen to deer hunters in establishing future hunting seasons and regulations.
The fact that Wisconsin has had two consecutive years of buck kills at 25-year lows, and a reduction of the total number of deer hunters this year, are troubling indications that Wisconsin hunters are joining in the decline in hunting popularity. While there can be many reasons for the decline in hunters, it is undeniable that DNR policies can be a major factor in hunter satisfaction, and that the DNR needs to be responsive to those who provide a major funding source for their operations.
Whitetails Unlimited is the nation’s largest organization of deer hunters, and we take our mission of “Preserving an American tradition” very seriously. Our national headquarters is located in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin is the state with our largest number of members. When we conducted a survey of our Wisconsin members this year, their opinion was overwhelming that they believe there are fewer deer than DNR estimates, and they oppose many DNR policies. Anecdotal opinions of WTU staff, friends, and family members, hunting all over the state, agree with our members. We are very concerned that the DNR is damaging their credibility by continuing with policies that are not believed or supported, and even actively opposed, by hunters in the state.
I am not a biologist, but it seems like a common-sense approach is needed, rather than the drastic changes in season length that have been proposed. This is based on back-to-back seasons of buck kills at 25-year lows, a steady and dramatic reduction in car/deer accidents over the last five years, and hunters refusing to go deer hunting.
We understand the difficulty of trying to estimate and manage a population of wild animals, months and months in the future, but the solid numbers of this past deer season need to be incorporated into the evaluation, and are significant enough to warrant the DNR to revisit decisions made earlier this year.
Whitetails Unlimited has a long history in working with the DNR, in Wisconsin and many other states, in projects and programs that advance regulated hunting, and this will not change. However, we cannot stand silently when we feel that actions by the DNR will result in fewer deer hunters enjoying an American tradition.
For the record, Whitetails Unlimited is opposed to lengthening the traditional nine-day gun season, based on the information detailed above. We urge the DNR to get a firm handle on the deer population numbers before making drastic changes to deer hunting regulations.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Schinkten
President, Whitetails Unlimited
About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.
Article Source: LuckyGunner.com
Original Article Sitehttp://www.ammoland.com/2009/12/03/whitetails-unlimited-opposes-16-day-deer-season-in-2010/
“There is always tension between hunters and DNR regulators, and we understand that,” said Whitetails Unlimited President Jeff Schinkten. “But the results of the 2009 gun deer season show that hunter numbers were down in Wisconsin, and the number of bucks killed was at a 25-year low for the second straight year. Until we can get a handle on the true deer population in Wisconsin, we need to hold off on the 16-day gun season.”
Schinkten also pointed out that car-deer accidents have had a dramatic and steady decline for the last five years, and a survey of WTU members showed a large gap between opinions of Wisconsin hunters and the opinions of DNR policymakers.
"Whitetails Unlimited has been a strong partner with DNR agencies across the country, working on programs in support of regulated hunting,” said Schinkten. “That will not change. In fact, there is an agenda item for the next NRB meeting that is a donation from our Flambeau Chapter for habitat work in the Upper Chippewa Wildlife Management Area. However, we don’t want to see the number of hunters drop, and when those numbers drop in Wisconsin, where deer hunting is a passion, we get concerned. DNR policy can have a huge effect on hunter satisfaction, and we just want a common-sense approach to wildlife management.”
The text of the letter to the NRB is as follows:
To: Members, Wisconsin Natural Resources Board
From: Whitetails Unlimited
Date: December 3, 2009
The Wisconsin DNR has a tremendous responsibility in managing the natural resources of the state, and it comes as no surprise that deer hunters in the state are very passionate about their sport. While there may always be tension between hunters and policymakers, the divergence of opinion in recent years has led to a level of tension that is actually damaging the sport.
After seeing the preliminary numbers of license sales and deer kills for the 2009 season, it is obvious that the hunting public is increasingly dissatisfied. This problem will get worse if the DNR continues under the existing philosophy, methods and goals.
Whitetails Unlimited is very concerned about the future of deer hunting in the state, and urges the DNR to fully evaluate all data, and to listen to deer hunters in establishing future hunting seasons and regulations.
The fact that Wisconsin has had two consecutive years of buck kills at 25-year lows, and a reduction of the total number of deer hunters this year, are troubling indications that Wisconsin hunters are joining in the decline in hunting popularity. While there can be many reasons for the decline in hunters, it is undeniable that DNR policies can be a major factor in hunter satisfaction, and that the DNR needs to be responsive to those who provide a major funding source for their operations.
Whitetails Unlimited is the nation’s largest organization of deer hunters, and we take our mission of “Preserving an American tradition” very seriously. Our national headquarters is located in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin is the state with our largest number of members. When we conducted a survey of our Wisconsin members this year, their opinion was overwhelming that they believe there are fewer deer than DNR estimates, and they oppose many DNR policies. Anecdotal opinions of WTU staff, friends, and family members, hunting all over the state, agree with our members. We are very concerned that the DNR is damaging their credibility by continuing with policies that are not believed or supported, and even actively opposed, by hunters in the state.
I am not a biologist, but it seems like a common-sense approach is needed, rather than the drastic changes in season length that have been proposed. This is based on back-to-back seasons of buck kills at 25-year lows, a steady and dramatic reduction in car/deer accidents over the last five years, and hunters refusing to go deer hunting.
We understand the difficulty of trying to estimate and manage a population of wild animals, months and months in the future, but the solid numbers of this past deer season need to be incorporated into the evaluation, and are significant enough to warrant the DNR to revisit decisions made earlier this year.
Whitetails Unlimited has a long history in working with the DNR, in Wisconsin and many other states, in projects and programs that advance regulated hunting, and this will not change. However, we cannot stand silently when we feel that actions by the DNR will result in fewer deer hunters enjoying an American tradition.
For the record, Whitetails Unlimited is opposed to lengthening the traditional nine-day gun season, based on the information detailed above. We urge the DNR to get a firm handle on the deer population numbers before making drastic changes to deer hunting regulations.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Schinkten
President, Whitetails Unlimited
About:
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization. Our mission is to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. When it comes to the whitetail and its environment, WTU’s degree of professionalism and dedication has earned us the reputation of being the nation’s premier whitetail organization.
Article Source: LuckyGunner.com
Original Article Sitehttp://www.ammoland.com/2009/12/03/whitetails-unlimited-opposes-16-day-deer-season-in-2010/
Political push for a new DNR Wildlife Management Team?
Two years of poor hunting seasons and a growing number of concerns for the deer herd has brought on a request for change in the DNR Wildlife Management team. This request however is not coming from local hunters, its coming from state representative Russ Decker(D).
According to the WEAU news release "Democratic Senator Russ Decker says the DNR has mismanaged the deer herd and a new team needs to be brought in to do the job. Decker is calling on the Secretary of the DNR Matt Frank to make the replacement and if he doesn't the DNR board should.
DNR Conservation Warden Michael Young says warm weather, corn and wet conditions were responsible for a disappointing deer season. Decker adds the DNR is a master of excuses and hunters are sick of them.
He believes they need a management team that knows what they are doing and will listen to hunters."
Hunters across the state are reporting poor hunts, lack of deer, and confusion on the need of more seasons. Many questions still need to be addressed by the DNR in the next few months but hunters are going to want to know the following for sure: What is the DNR doing to determine actual whitetail deer herd counts in Wisconsin? If the deer herd is determined to be down, why are increasing hunting seasons?
Sited Source: http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/78471632.html
According to the WEAU news release "Democratic Senator Russ Decker says the DNR has mismanaged the deer herd and a new team needs to be brought in to do the job. Decker is calling on the Secretary of the DNR Matt Frank to make the replacement and if he doesn't the DNR board should.
DNR Conservation Warden Michael Young says warm weather, corn and wet conditions were responsible for a disappointing deer season. Decker adds the DNR is a master of excuses and hunters are sick of them.
He believes they need a management team that knows what they are doing and will listen to hunters."
Hunters across the state are reporting poor hunts, lack of deer, and confusion on the need of more seasons. Many questions still need to be addressed by the DNR in the next few months but hunters are going to want to know the following for sure: What is the DNR doing to determine actual whitetail deer herd counts in Wisconsin? If the deer herd is determined to be down, why are increasing hunting seasons?
Sited Source: http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/78471632.html
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
DNR Board Sets December Agenda
December 8 & 9 , 2009 Natural Resources Board Agenda
For meeting at:
Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
101 South Webster Street
Madison, Wisconsin
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Natural Resources Board will convene at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, in Room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-3 as listed on the Agenda.
Order of Business
1.Organizational Matters
A.Calling the roll
B.Approval of agenda for December 8 & 9, 2009
2.Information Items
A.Air, Waste and Water//Enforcement
None
B.Land Management, Recreation, and Fisheries/Wildlife
- Report and preliminary results of the 2009 firearm deer season (Tom Hauge, Keith Warnke, Randy Stark, and Diane Brookbank, 60 minutes)
3.Action Items
A.Air, Waste and Water//Enforcement
None
B.Land Management, Recreation, and Fisheries/Wildlife
- Request Adoption of Board Order WM-20-09, related to establishment of the deer hunting season frameworks (Keith Warnke, 60 minutes)
Order of Business
1.Organizational Matters
A.Calling the roll
B.Approval of minutes from October 21, 2009
C.Approval of minutes from November 13, 2009
2.Ratification of Acts of the Department Secretary
A.Real Estate Transactions
3.Action Items
A.Air, Waste and Water//Enforcement
- Request Authorization for Public Hearing on Board Order WT-15-09, Watershed Management’s Housekeeping Rule Revisions to chs. 102, 103, 105, 106, 108, 110, 114, 200, 203, 205, 210, 241, 299, 328, and 341 (Tom Mugan, 10 minutes)
- Request Adoption of Board Order FH-23-09, to revise Ch. NR 25 relating to the total allowable commercial harvest of whitefish in Lake Michigan (William Horns, 15 minutes
- Request Adoption of Board Order LF-08-09, to revise NR 52 relating to the Public Use of Lands Acquired under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (Pat Henderson and Doug Haag, 20 minutes)
- Land Acquisition - Statewide Natural Areas - Oneida & Vilas Counties (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Acquisition and Donation - Baraboo Hills Recreation Area - Sauk County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Acquisition - White River Fishery Area - Waushara County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Acquisition & Project Boundary Modification - Hartman Creek State Park - Portage County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
Land Acquisition & Project Boundary Modification - Brunet Island State Park - Chippewa County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)Deleted- Land Acquisition - Wildcat Mountain State Park - Vernon County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Donation - Statewide Wildlife Habitat Area - Pierce County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Donation - Paul Olson Wildlife Area - Wood County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Donation – Statewide Natural Area - Door County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Donation - C.D. Besadny Fish & Wildlife Area - Kewaunee County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Land Donation & Project Boundary Modification - Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area - Oconto County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
- Easement Donation - Statewide Natural Areas - Marquette County (Richard Steffes, 5 minutes)
4.Citizen Participation
A.Citizen Recognition
- Rebecca Wallace Award
None
A.Approval of 2010 Meeting Locations
6.Special Committee Reports
None
A.Retirement Resolutions
B.Donations
- The Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park, Inc. will donate a Kubota Utility Vehicle at a value of $13,000 to Kohler-Andrae State Park
- Whitetails Unlimited Inc. will donate $5,615.17 to Upper Chippewa Area Wildlife Management for habitat work
A.Air, Waste, and Water/Enforcement
B.Land Management, Recreation, and Fisheries/Wildlife
None
Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison
Phone: 608.267.7420
Email: Laurie.Ross@wisconsin.gov
Public Participation at Natural Resources Board Meetings
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource
See website for updates at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/2009/December/12-09-NRB-Agenda.htm
16-day deer hunt starting Saturday before Thanksgiving proposed for 2010
MADISON – A 16-day gun deer hunt starting the Saturday before the Thanksgiving holiday will be the basis of a proposed 2010 deer season framework presented to the Natural Resources Board for consideration at its December 8 meeting in Madison.
“The special committee formed by the Natural Resources Board to develop effective alternatives to earn-a-buck discussed dozens of ideas and season structures,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “They ended up recommending a 16-day gun hunt with either an early or a traditional start date. At public hearings we heard sentiment overwhelmingly against an early start date so we are recommending a traditional opening date to the board at this time.
“This was one of the most heavily attended public hearing schedules in recent history. On behalf of the department, I want to thank all the organizations and individuals that participated in the public review process over the past few months. Public involvement in this decision process is invaluable.”
The complete proposal is available on the Natural Resources Board meeting adenda for December page of the DNR Web site. The special committee’s report [PDF] is also available on the Natural Resources Board Web pages.
If approved, the 16-day season would be an alternative to the use of earn-a-buck in areas outside the chronic wasting disease management zone beginning with the 2010 season. The season would open on the Saturday before the Thanksgiving holiday. Numerous Wisconsin hunting and conservation organizations have registered preference for the Saturday before Thanksgiving opener.
Other key features of the proposal include: extending the archery season through all gun seasons and extending archery season until the end of January in herd control units; addition of a four-day October antlerless only statewide muzzleloader hunt; a four-day October antlerless only gun hunt in herd control units; a four-day youth hunt that coincides with the October antlerless hunt; a seven-day statewide December muzzleloader hunt; a four-day December antlerless only gun hunt and a 10-day buck plus quota holiday hunt in farmland and central forest deer management units.
“An understandable reaction to creating additional hunting seasons is a concern that deer herds will be over harvested,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “The safeguard against this is the existing quota system. Under this system the harvest of female deer is limited by permit to maintain populations at healthy, sustainable levels.”
The proposal calls for a unit by unit review of the effectiveness of any new season structure. In units that are more than 20 percent over goal and the expected harvest under a third year of any new season structure is unlikely to bring the herd to within 20 percent of goal, additional harvest measures will be considered.
More than 1,600 people attended the series of 11 public hearings held across the state in October and November. An additional 6,500 people used the web-based comment form or submitted email or mailed comments. Department social researchers also mailed a randomized survey to 1,000 hunters to gauge opinion. The response rate to the survey was a very respectable 71 percent.
Legislative review of any NRB action should be completed by March 2010 with any changes taking effect in time for deer season setting in April 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
“The special committee formed by the Natural Resources Board to develop effective alternatives to earn-a-buck discussed dozens of ideas and season structures,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “They ended up recommending a 16-day gun hunt with either an early or a traditional start date. At public hearings we heard sentiment overwhelmingly against an early start date so we are recommending a traditional opening date to the board at this time.
“This was one of the most heavily attended public hearing schedules in recent history. On behalf of the department, I want to thank all the organizations and individuals that participated in the public review process over the past few months. Public involvement in this decision process is invaluable.”
The complete proposal is available on the Natural Resources Board meeting adenda for December page of the DNR Web site. The special committee’s report [PDF] is also available on the Natural Resources Board Web pages.
If approved, the 16-day season would be an alternative to the use of earn-a-buck in areas outside the chronic wasting disease management zone beginning with the 2010 season. The season would open on the Saturday before the Thanksgiving holiday. Numerous Wisconsin hunting and conservation organizations have registered preference for the Saturday before Thanksgiving opener.
Other key features of the proposal include: extending the archery season through all gun seasons and extending archery season until the end of January in herd control units; addition of a four-day October antlerless only statewide muzzleloader hunt; a four-day October antlerless only gun hunt in herd control units; a four-day youth hunt that coincides with the October antlerless hunt; a seven-day statewide December muzzleloader hunt; a four-day December antlerless only gun hunt and a 10-day buck plus quota holiday hunt in farmland and central forest deer management units.
“An understandable reaction to creating additional hunting seasons is a concern that deer herds will be over harvested,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “The safeguard against this is the existing quota system. Under this system the harvest of female deer is limited by permit to maintain populations at healthy, sustainable levels.”
The proposal calls for a unit by unit review of the effectiveness of any new season structure. In units that are more than 20 percent over goal and the expected harvest under a third year of any new season structure is unlikely to bring the herd to within 20 percent of goal, additional harvest measures will be considered.
More than 1,600 people attended the series of 11 public hearings held across the state in October and November. An additional 6,500 people used the web-based comment form or submitted email or mailed comments. Department social researchers also mailed a randomized survey to 1,000 hunters to gauge opinion. The response rate to the survey was a very respectable 71 percent.
Legislative review of any NRB action should be completed by March 2010 with any changes taking effect in time for deer season setting in April 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Mentored hunting program a quick hit
MADISON – More than 10,000 10- and 11-year-old mentored hunting licenses have been purchased since the September 1 start date of the new program.
The Mentored Hunting Law was created in close cooperation with Department of Natural Resources staff, hunting groups and the legislature.
“The enthusiasm and response to this new opportunity has been fantastic,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “Study after study shows it takes a hunter to make a hunter. Introducing kids to hunting in a relaxed atmosphere with close supervision is key to nurturing a love of the natural world, a conservation ethic, and what may turn out to be a lifelong love and passion for the outdoors.”
“Hunting is an important tradition for many Wisconsin families,” said Rep. Ann Hraychuck, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Fish and Wildlife. “This law allows parents to decide when a child is ready to join in the family hunting traditions. The mentor is required to be ‘within arm’s reach at all times’ of the young hunter to provide safe firearm or bow handling supervision. Learning to hunt in a safe and controlled manner allows the mentor to share skills, ethics and an appreciation for the entire experience with the young hunter.”
Five hunting license types can be purchased under the Mentored Hunting Law. Within two weeks of the effective date of the new law 2,125 licenses had been sold. Through Nov 8, a total of 10,016 licenses have been purchased.
The majority of licenses sold have been gun deer licenses at 6,775. Deer archery sales have hit 1,097 and small game sales are at 1,895. Young hunters also purchased 247 fall turkey and 2 furbearer licenses.
And how have the young hunters been doing? A preliminary tally of deer registrations for the Oct 10-11 youth deer hunt (which is open to youth 10 to 15 years of age) shows that the harvest jumped from 989 in 2008 to 4,777 in 2009, a nearly 500 percent increase. There have been no reported hunting incidents involving any mentored hunters.
Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law has been identified as being the safest set of controlled conditions for youth hunting in the nation. Mentors must be 18 years old and licensed hunters. Mentors may only accompany one 10- or 11-year-old at a time and must be within arm’s reach of the mentored hunter at all times. The pair may carry only one firearm or bow between them.
All other hunting and trapping rules apply with regard to season dates, season rules, bag limits, clothing requirements and harvest registration. Mentored hunters of any age do not need to complete a hunter safety education course prior to hunting under these controlled conditions, and if age 10 or 11, can purchase a reduced fee hunting license. Mentors must have completed a hunter safety education course if born after Jan. 1, 1973 unless they can provide proof they have completed basic training through the U.S. armed forces.
More information on mentored hunting and hunting in Wisconsin are available on the DNR Web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Mott - (608) 444-1244 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=195#art2
The Mentored Hunting Law was created in close cooperation with Department of Natural Resources staff, hunting groups and the legislature.
“The enthusiasm and response to this new opportunity has been fantastic,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “Study after study shows it takes a hunter to make a hunter. Introducing kids to hunting in a relaxed atmosphere with close supervision is key to nurturing a love of the natural world, a conservation ethic, and what may turn out to be a lifelong love and passion for the outdoors.”
“Hunting is an important tradition for many Wisconsin families,” said Rep. Ann Hraychuck, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Fish and Wildlife. “This law allows parents to decide when a child is ready to join in the family hunting traditions. The mentor is required to be ‘within arm’s reach at all times’ of the young hunter to provide safe firearm or bow handling supervision. Learning to hunt in a safe and controlled manner allows the mentor to share skills, ethics and an appreciation for the entire experience with the young hunter.”
Five hunting license types can be purchased under the Mentored Hunting Law. Within two weeks of the effective date of the new law 2,125 licenses had been sold. Through Nov 8, a total of 10,016 licenses have been purchased.
The majority of licenses sold have been gun deer licenses at 6,775. Deer archery sales have hit 1,097 and small game sales are at 1,895. Young hunters also purchased 247 fall turkey and 2 furbearer licenses.
And how have the young hunters been doing? A preliminary tally of deer registrations for the Oct 10-11 youth deer hunt (which is open to youth 10 to 15 years of age) shows that the harvest jumped from 989 in 2008 to 4,777 in 2009, a nearly 500 percent increase. There have been no reported hunting incidents involving any mentored hunters.
Wisconsin’s Mentored Hunting Law has been identified as being the safest set of controlled conditions for youth hunting in the nation. Mentors must be 18 years old and licensed hunters. Mentors may only accompany one 10- or 11-year-old at a time and must be within arm’s reach of the mentored hunter at all times. The pair may carry only one firearm or bow between them.
All other hunting and trapping rules apply with regard to season dates, season rules, bag limits, clothing requirements and harvest registration. Mentored hunters of any age do not need to complete a hunter safety education course prior to hunting under these controlled conditions, and if age 10 or 11, can purchase a reduced fee hunting license. Mentors must have completed a hunter safety education course if born after Jan. 1, 1973 unless they can provide proof they have completed basic training through the U.S. armed forces.
More information on mentored hunting and hunting in Wisconsin are available on the DNR Web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Mott - (608) 444-1244 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=195#art2
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Early returns on deer stubs and hunter self-survey indicate hunters are “seeing deer”
MADISON – Hunters report seeing between one to three deer per hunting trip during the early hunting seasons.
The data come from a preliminary count of deer registration stubs and new Department of
Natural Resources online hunter observation reports through October 28.
“Every successful hunter must fill out a Deer Harvest Information stub when they register their kill,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “This year, there are blanks on the stub asking whether or not the deer was killed on public or private land, the number of deer seen on the day of the kill, the numbers of hours hunted on the day of the kill and weather conditions.”
With only a portion of registration stubs entered and much hunting still to come, officials emphasize that these numbers will almost certainly change.
The early tally of successful hunters shows 31,470 trips reported and 95,229 hours hunted; 92,029 deer were seen for an average sighting of one deer per hour hunted and two-and-half to three deer seen per trip. Overall weather ratings were reported as six on a 10-point scale with one being worst and 10 best.
Hunters filing voluntary hunter observation reports logged 3,430 trips 12,904 hours hunted and one-and-a-half to two deer seen per trip. Information on the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey is available on the DNR Web site.
The eastern and southern farmland areas [PDF 294KB] saw the most hunting trips (9,659 and 9,940 respectively) by successful hunters. The greatest number of hunter field observation reports also came from eastern farmland (1,056 reports filed) and southern farmland (932 reports filed).
In both categories, hunters in the western farmland saw the most deer with 3.47 deer observed per trip for successful hunters and 2.09 deer observed per trip in the field observation reports.
Anticipated drop in harvest
As wildlife managers expected, preliminary registration returns entered through Nov. 5 show a decreased total archery harvest (about 31,000 in 2008 vs. about 22,000 in 2009).
“The archery antlerless harvest in this time period dropped by about 39 percent and the buck harvest climbed by about 7 percent,” said Warnke. “This was expected due mainly to fewer herd control units and no Earn a Buck outside of the CWD management zone.”
Antlerless registrations during the October antlerless gun hunt in herd control units were down also with about 11,000 deer registrations in the database in 2009 compared to about 26,000 by this date in 2008.
There are one-third fewer herd control units this year and no earn-a-buck requirements outside the CWD Zone thus, hunter opportunity to participate in the October gun hunt was more limited this year according to wildlife officials.
The registration numbers will most certainly change, say wildlife managers, as more stubs are entered.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023 or Bob Manwell - (608) 2649248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=195#art2
The data come from a preliminary count of deer registration stubs and new Department of
Natural Resources online hunter observation reports through October 28.
“Every successful hunter must fill out a Deer Harvest Information stub when they register their kill,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “This year, there are blanks on the stub asking whether or not the deer was killed on public or private land, the number of deer seen on the day of the kill, the numbers of hours hunted on the day of the kill and weather conditions.”
With only a portion of registration stubs entered and much hunting still to come, officials emphasize that these numbers will almost certainly change.
The early tally of successful hunters shows 31,470 trips reported and 95,229 hours hunted; 92,029 deer were seen for an average sighting of one deer per hour hunted and two-and-half to three deer seen per trip. Overall weather ratings were reported as six on a 10-point scale with one being worst and 10 best.
Hunters filing voluntary hunter observation reports logged 3,430 trips 12,904 hours hunted and one-and-a-half to two deer seen per trip. Information on the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey is available on the DNR Web site.
The eastern and southern farmland areas [PDF 294KB] saw the most hunting trips (9,659 and 9,940 respectively) by successful hunters. The greatest number of hunter field observation reports also came from eastern farmland (1,056 reports filed) and southern farmland (932 reports filed).
In both categories, hunters in the western farmland saw the most deer with 3.47 deer observed per trip for successful hunters and 2.09 deer observed per trip in the field observation reports.
Anticipated drop in harvest
As wildlife managers expected, preliminary registration returns entered through Nov. 5 show a decreased total archery harvest (about 31,000 in 2008 vs. about 22,000 in 2009).
“The archery antlerless harvest in this time period dropped by about 39 percent and the buck harvest climbed by about 7 percent,” said Warnke. “This was expected due mainly to fewer herd control units and no Earn a Buck outside of the CWD management zone.”
Antlerless registrations during the October antlerless gun hunt in herd control units were down also with about 11,000 deer registrations in the database in 2009 compared to about 26,000 by this date in 2008.
There are one-third fewer herd control units this year and no earn-a-buck requirements outside the CWD Zone thus, hunter opportunity to participate in the October gun hunt was more limited this year according to wildlife officials.
The registration numbers will most certainly change, say wildlife managers, as more stubs are entered.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023 or Bob Manwell - (608) 2649248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=195#art2
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Spanish and Hmong translations of hunting regulations available
MADISON – Wisconsin’s 2009 Deer Hunting Regulations are now available in Spanish [pdf; 2.7MB] Hmong [pdf; 2.6MB] languages on the hunting and trapping regulations page of the Department of Natural Resources Web site. The 2009 Small Game Hunting Regulations, including the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 Turkey Regulations, are also available online in Spanish [pdf; 1.1MB] and Hmong [pdf; 1MB] on the DNR Web site.
The regualtion pamphlets are available in hard copy at license sales locations and DNR Service Centers.
Spanish and Hmong speaking customer service representatives also are available to answer questions on the DNR Information Line 1-888-WDNR –INFo (936-7463).
“Extending information sources and availability to Wisconsin’s Hispanic and Hmong communities in a variety of convenient formats is an important goal for our customer service and licensing team,” said Vance Rayburn, DNR’s administrator of customer services, licensing and information services. “Our Spanish and Hmong speaking customers have told us they greatly appreciate having their questions answered in their native language.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Steffes - (608) 266-8109 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=194#art3
The regualtion pamphlets are available in hard copy at license sales locations and DNR Service Centers.
Spanish and Hmong speaking customer service representatives also are available to answer questions on the DNR Information Line 1-888-WDNR –INFo (936-7463).
“Extending information sources and availability to Wisconsin’s Hispanic and Hmong communities in a variety of convenient formats is an important goal for our customer service and licensing team,” said Vance Rayburn, DNR’s administrator of customer services, licensing and information services. “Our Spanish and Hmong speaking customers have told us they greatly appreciate having their questions answered in their native language.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Steffes - (608) 266-8109 or Bob Manwell - (608) 264-9248
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Lookup.asp?id=194#art3
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