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
Showing posts with label Wisconsin Deer Management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisconsin Deer Management. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Deer management unit information meetings set
MADISON – Anyone interested in deer in Wisconsin will have a chance to get the most up to date deer management unit information in a series of deer management unit public information meetings across the state in March. Topics will include: the importance of a healthy, sustainable deer herd; increasing hunter participation; and new deer research initiatives. Local wildlife biologists will be on hand at each meeting to provide information and answer questions.
“These meetings are intended to inform hunters and others about Wisconsin deer management, and how it is applied in the local management units where they hunt, live or recreate,” said Keith Warnke, big game ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “These meetings will have formal presentations by local DNR wildlife biologists, followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format, allowing folks to stop in anytime over a two hour period before the presentation.”
All meetings will open with a 15-minute video hosted by Scott Craven of the University of Wisconsin who leads an informal round table discussion on emerging harvest patterns, unit-specific management, hunter surveys and a CWD update. Attendees will also learn about preliminary deer population estimates, possible deer hunting season structures for 2010, and unit level CWD status and historical perspectives of deer management. Some new DNR communications tools will be announced and attendees will learn more about how they can be involved in deer management projects.
Hunters and non-hunters interested in these meetings are encouraged to attend the meetings that cover the deer management units they are interested in (see list below), but are welcome to attend any of the meetings.
Additional information about white-tailed deer management in Wisconsin is available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke, Madison (608) 264-6023, Bob Manwell, or area wildlife biologists listed for the meeting locations in the meeting calendar
“These meetings are intended to inform hunters and others about Wisconsin deer management, and how it is applied in the local management units where they hunt, live or recreate,” said Keith Warnke, big game ecologist for the Department of Natural Resources. “These meetings will have formal presentations by local DNR wildlife biologists, followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format, allowing folks to stop in anytime over a two hour period before the presentation.”
All meetings will open with a 15-minute video hosted by Scott Craven of the University of Wisconsin who leads an informal round table discussion on emerging harvest patterns, unit-specific management, hunter surveys and a CWD update. Attendees will also learn about preliminary deer population estimates, possible deer hunting season structures for 2010, and unit level CWD status and historical perspectives of deer management. Some new DNR communications tools will be announced and attendees will learn more about how they can be involved in deer management projects.
Hunters and non-hunters interested in these meetings are encouraged to attend the meetings that cover the deer management units they are interested in (see list below), but are welcome to attend any of the meetings.
Additional information about white-tailed deer management in Wisconsin is available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke, Madison (608) 264-6023, Bob Manwell, or area wildlife biologists listed for the meeting locations in the meeting calendar
Monday, March 1, 2010
Investing in Wisconsin’s Whitetails
MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank announced a major new initiative to improve the DNR’s population estimates for white-tailed deer. The information was presented today by wildlife management staff at a meeting of the Natural Resources Board.
“We have heard from hunters who are frustrated and skeptical about the DNR’s deer population estimates. In response to hunter and legislative concerns, we are taking action to improve the model for the deer population estimate, perform additional research, involve hunters more extensively in our efforts, and improve communication with the public on survey results and research findings. Many of these actions have been advocated by hunting organizations,” Frank said.
Frank announced actions, both short-term and long-term, that will include:
1.Fully implementing the recommendations of the 2006 Sex-Age-Kill model audit, including initiating a buck recovery rate study this year.
2.Partnering with the University of Wisconsin to do research and data analysis on buck mortality as well research on fawn mortality, including the roles of predators, habitat and weather, beginning with a study in 2011 in northwest Wisconsin.
3.Beginning this month, the DNR has begun an evaluation of an alternative deer population estimation technique called “distance sampling method” using aircraft. This study is being conducted in areas not previously surveyed with aircraft in both western and eastern Wisconsin. Helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft population surveys will continue in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone in southern Wisconsin.
4.Working with the Minnesota and Michigan Department of Natural Resources to share insights from data and research projects in all three states regarding deer population trends and dynamics.
5.Hiring a researcher to review deer-vehicle collision data from salvage operators, Department of Transportation summaries of officer-investigated accidents, and insurance company data to assess usefulness and make recommendations as part of the population estimating process.
6.Invite hunting organizations to provide input and participate in DNR deer research and studies, and expand efforts to build a data base from hunters’ field observations from deer registration and observations reported on the DNR Web site.
Frank said that “the department will continue to work with the legislature regarding other suggestions, including bringing in an outside, independent third party to verify the accuracy of the data and math used in the preparation of deer population estimates.”
Frank added that the initiative to improve the DNR’s deer population estimate would not have been possible without a significant new investment of federal funds, over $2 million, through additional federal Pittman-Robertson funds allocated to the Wisconsin this year.
“While this is a significant sum, we believe that this is a worthwhile investment to improve the long-term management of a sustainable and healthy deer herd for generations to come,” Frank said.
The presentation to the NRB was made at the board’s Feb. 24 meeting in Madison. The presentation was video recorded and is available online, along with a document received by the board, “Investing in Wisconsin’s Whitetails,” detailing past, present and future deer research and outreach efforts.
The department will be putting out a steady stream of information and updates for hunters and observers of deer and has a new Internet-based delivery system that allows citizens to receive the latest information at home in their email in the form of an alert that something of interest has been posted. Called GovDelivery, users can subscribe and unsubscribe as they wish at anytime and select from a list of subjects that they wish to monitor.
Hunters and others interested in deer can also attend a series of deer management unit information meetings scheduled around the state March 10-25. Meeting locations and times are also available on the DNR Web site.
Natural Resources Board hears update on deer research
News Release Published: February 24, 2010 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Robert Manwell (608) 264-9248
Article Source: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1603
“We have heard from hunters who are frustrated and skeptical about the DNR’s deer population estimates. In response to hunter and legislative concerns, we are taking action to improve the model for the deer population estimate, perform additional research, involve hunters more extensively in our efforts, and improve communication with the public on survey results and research findings. Many of these actions have been advocated by hunting organizations,” Frank said.
Frank announced actions, both short-term and long-term, that will include:
1.Fully implementing the recommendations of the 2006 Sex-Age-Kill model audit, including initiating a buck recovery rate study this year.
2.Partnering with the University of Wisconsin to do research and data analysis on buck mortality as well research on fawn mortality, including the roles of predators, habitat and weather, beginning with a study in 2011 in northwest Wisconsin.
3.Beginning this month, the DNR has begun an evaluation of an alternative deer population estimation technique called “distance sampling method” using aircraft. This study is being conducted in areas not previously surveyed with aircraft in both western and eastern Wisconsin. Helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft population surveys will continue in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone in southern Wisconsin.
4.Working with the Minnesota and Michigan Department of Natural Resources to share insights from data and research projects in all three states regarding deer population trends and dynamics.
5.Hiring a researcher to review deer-vehicle collision data from salvage operators, Department of Transportation summaries of officer-investigated accidents, and insurance company data to assess usefulness and make recommendations as part of the population estimating process.
6.Invite hunting organizations to provide input and participate in DNR deer research and studies, and expand efforts to build a data base from hunters’ field observations from deer registration and observations reported on the DNR Web site.
Frank said that “the department will continue to work with the legislature regarding other suggestions, including bringing in an outside, independent third party to verify the accuracy of the data and math used in the preparation of deer population estimates.”
Frank added that the initiative to improve the DNR’s deer population estimate would not have been possible without a significant new investment of federal funds, over $2 million, through additional federal Pittman-Robertson funds allocated to the Wisconsin this year.
“While this is a significant sum, we believe that this is a worthwhile investment to improve the long-term management of a sustainable and healthy deer herd for generations to come,” Frank said.
The presentation to the NRB was made at the board’s Feb. 24 meeting in Madison. The presentation was video recorded and is available online, along with a document received by the board, “Investing in Wisconsin’s Whitetails,” detailing past, present and future deer research and outreach efforts.
The department will be putting out a steady stream of information and updates for hunters and observers of deer and has a new Internet-based delivery system that allows citizens to receive the latest information at home in their email in the form of an alert that something of interest has been posted. Called GovDelivery, users can subscribe and unsubscribe as they wish at anytime and select from a list of subjects that they wish to monitor.
Hunters and others interested in deer can also attend a series of deer management unit information meetings scheduled around the state March 10-25. Meeting locations and times are also available on the DNR Web site.
Natural Resources Board hears update on deer research
News Release Published: February 24, 2010 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Robert Manwell (608) 264-9248
Article Source: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1603
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Deer Management Open House Slated for March 10th, 2010
BARABOO – Once again, the Department of Natural Resources will host an Open House here to present information on deer management, herd status and hunting in Columbia, Richland and Sauk Counties.
The Open House will be held on Wednesday, March 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the UW Baraboo – Sauk County Campus cafeteria, 1001 Connie Rd., Baraboo.
DNR wildlife biologists Becky Roth, Spring Green, Sara Kehrli, Poynette, and Bill Ishmael, Dodgeville, will focus on the 2009 deer harvest and season summary for deer management units (DMU) 54B, 70, 70B, 70E, 70F, 70G and 71.
They will also show a video covering updates on deer management, hunter involvement in deer management, new research initiatives, communications and the DNR’s proposed chronic wasting disease (CWD) management plan.
The biologists emphasize that the Open House is aimed primarily for those persons who hunt, reside or are interested in the deer herd status of the three counties and the seven DMUs.
For more information, contact Roth at 608-588-3432, Kehrli at 608-635-8123 or Ishmael at 608-935-1918.
News Release Published: February 19, 2010 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Becky Roth, Wildlife Biologist, Spring Green: 608-588-3432, Sara Kehrli, Wildlife Biologist, Poynette: 608-635-8123, Bill Ishmael, Wildlife Supervisor, Dodgeville: 608-935-1918
The Open House will be held on Wednesday, March 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the UW Baraboo – Sauk County Campus cafeteria, 1001 Connie Rd., Baraboo.
DNR wildlife biologists Becky Roth, Spring Green, Sara Kehrli, Poynette, and Bill Ishmael, Dodgeville, will focus on the 2009 deer harvest and season summary for deer management units (DMU) 54B, 70, 70B, 70E, 70F, 70G and 71.
They will also show a video covering updates on deer management, hunter involvement in deer management, new research initiatives, communications and the DNR’s proposed chronic wasting disease (CWD) management plan.
The biologists emphasize that the Open House is aimed primarily for those persons who hunt, reside or are interested in the deer herd status of the three counties and the seven DMUs.
For more information, contact Roth at 608-588-3432, Kehrli at 608-635-8123 or Ishmael at 608-935-1918.
News Release Published: February 19, 2010 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Becky Roth, Wildlife Biologist, Spring Green: 608-588-3432, Sara Kehrli, Wildlife Biologist, Poynette: 608-635-8123, Bill Ishmael, Wildlife Supervisor, Dodgeville: 608-935-1918
Monday, February 22, 2010
Deer Management Meeting Slated for March 8th, 2010
LANCASTER – Once again, the Department of Natural Resources will host an Open House here to present information on deer management, herd status and hunting in Grant County.
The Open House will be held on Monday, March 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Grant County Youth and Ag Building, 916 East Elm St., Lancaster.
DNR wildlife biologists Dan Goltz, Boscobel, and Bill Ishmael, Dodgeville, will focus on the 2009 deer harvest and season summary for deer management units (DMU) 73A, 73B, 73D, 73B-CWD and 73E-CWD.
They will also show a video covering updates on deer management, hunter involvement in deer management, new research initiatives, communications and the DNR’s proposed chronic wasting disease (CWD) management plan.
The biologists emphasize that the Open House is aimed primarily for those persons who hunt, reside or are interested in the deer herd status of Grant County and the five DMUs.
For more information, contact Goltz at 608-375-4123 or Ishmael at 608-935-1918.
News Release Published: February 19, 2010 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Dan Goltz, Wildlife Biologist, Boscobel: 608-375-4123, Bill Ishmael, Wildlife Supervisor, Dodgeville: 608-275-3317
Link: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1599
The Open House will be held on Monday, March 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Grant County Youth and Ag Building, 916 East Elm St., Lancaster.
DNR wildlife biologists Dan Goltz, Boscobel, and Bill Ishmael, Dodgeville, will focus on the 2009 deer harvest and season summary for deer management units (DMU) 73A, 73B, 73D, 73B-CWD and 73E-CWD.
They will also show a video covering updates on deer management, hunter involvement in deer management, new research initiatives, communications and the DNR’s proposed chronic wasting disease (CWD) management plan.
The biologists emphasize that the Open House is aimed primarily for those persons who hunt, reside or are interested in the deer herd status of Grant County and the five DMUs.
For more information, contact Goltz at 608-375-4123 or Ishmael at 608-935-1918.
News Release Published: February 19, 2010 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Dan Goltz, Wildlife Biologist, Boscobel: 608-375-4123, Bill Ishmael, Wildlife Supervisor, Dodgeville: 608-275-3317
Link: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/BreakingNews_Lookup.asp?id=1599
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