Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
December 15, 2009
News Release
Contact: George Meyer, Executive Director, 608-516-5545
Sportsmen and Women Call for Veto Override on AB 138, DNR Secretary Appointment Bill
Poynette: The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the state’s largest conservation organization, at its bimonthly Board meeting on December 12, 2009 unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the Wisconsin Assembly and the Wisconsin Senate to vote to override the Governor’s veto of Assembly Bill 138 which restores the appointment authority of the DNR Secretary back to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.
“The request for a veto override was unanimous from the forty-five WWF Board members present who represent the 168 hunting, fishing, trapping and forestry-related groups belonging to the Federation. This is fully consistent with the message that we are getting from meetings being held with sportsmen and women across the state on the issue. Sportsmen and women’s interest in this bill remains very high and has not been dampened by the Governor’s veto. There is a recognition that the veto by the Governor, a reversal of his fourteen year position, was made easy because of his decision not to seek re-election in 2010, stated Jack Nissen (Dousman), WWF President.
“There is an understanding that the Senate amendment to AB 138 is really a minor change to the bill and does not override the great importance of the bill to sportsmen and women. Our elected officials should not let the absence of a “perfect bill” get in the way of a very good bill that the overwhelming number of sportsmen and women in this state have been working hard on for many years. Going in to 2010, hunters, anglers and trappers will be very frustrated if a veto override does not occur. They will be following this issue very carefully, indicated Ralph Fritsch (Townsend), Chair of the WWF Wildlife Committee.
The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is the state’s largest conservation organization comprised of 168 hunting, fishing and trapping groups representing over 100,000 members. The Federation is dedicated to conservation education and the furtherance of sound conservation policies on a state and national level. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.
Showing posts with label Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Hunting Regulations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Hunting Regulations. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition Releases its Postion Statement on EAB
As I mentioned in my post "Legal Help for Hunters: Its about Time," Wisconsin Hunters Rights' Coalition and the Wisconsin Chapters of Safari Club International retained Michael Best & Friedrich law firm to help with eliminiting the Earn-a-Buck or "anterless only" seasons.
Courtesy of Michael Best & Friedrich, below you will find the Wiconsin Hunters Rights Coalitions' Position Statement on why the Wisconsin Legislature should eliminate the Earn-a-Buck and "anterless only" seasons.
Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition
POSITION STATEMENT
The Wisconsin Legislature should permanently eliminate “earn-a-buck” and October “antlerlessonly” deer hunting seasons in Wisconsin because:
1) “Earn-a-buck” and October “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons remain enormously unpopular with Wisconsin’s 650,000 plus deer hunters and threaten Wisconsin’s strong deer hunting traditions and heritage.
2) The Department originally represented that the “earn-a-buck” and October “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons would be “temporary.”
3) Wisconsin’s deer population can be effectively managed through the issuance of appropriate numbers of antlerless and bonus deer permits pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code section NR 10.104. The use of antlerless and bonus deer permits represents a reasonable and less restrictive means to achieve appropriate deer management objectives.
4) The Department’s deer population “estimates” are flawed and do not justify mandating the use of “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” hunting seasons.
A. A 2006 audit confirmed that the Department’s population estimates at the “deer management unit” level are unrealistic and inaccurate.
B. The manner in which the Department uses the “sex-age-kill” model for calculating deer population estimates results in an estimate that is only “within +/- 121.9% of the true [deer] population level, 95% of the time.”
C. Contrary to the Department’s estimates, trends in vehicle collision reports, buck harvest data, and hunters’ observations show that the deer population in Wisconsin is declining and not increasing.
5) The “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons are fundamentally incompatible with the “sex-age-kill” model that the Department is required to use to calculate deer population densities because these hunting seasons alter the buck harvest rate (which is a key variable of the model) thereby biasing population “estimates.”
6) The “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons have contributed to the
Department significantly overestimating the size of the deer population in Wisconsin.
7) The Department has established “deer population goals” for the “deer management units” described in Wisconsin Administrative Code Section NR 10.104 (4) that are below levels necessary to meet reasonable social, economic, and ecosystem management objectives. The Department’s population goal for the entire state is approximately 739,000 deer, which represents one deer per 47 acres of land. This goal is well below the biological carrying capacity of the land and antithetical to “good hunting.”
8) “Earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons are inconsistent with or otherwise violate Article 1, Section 26 of the Wisconsin Constitution; Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes; and Chapters NR 1 and 10 of the Administrative Code.
A. The seasons unreasonably infringe upon freedom of choice by hunters by requiring hunters to “kill” a deer that they would not otherwise shoot as a prerequisite to exercising their constitutionally protected right to “hunt.”
B. “Earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons are inconsistent with the Department’s obligation under Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes to promulgate rules that ensure the citizens of the state continued opportunities for “good hunting.”
C. Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes expressly condones the use of “hunter’s choice deer hunting permit[s]” and “bonus deer hunting permits” to achieve appropriate deer management objectives.
D. Wisconsin Administrative Code Section NR 10.104 (5) mandates that the Department utilize a “sex-age-kill” model to “annually calculate an estimate of the overwinter deer population for each deer management unit.” Recognizing that a “sex-age-kill” model cannot reasonably be used in “earn-a-buck” deer management units, the Department has employed the use of nauthorized methods of “estimating” the deer population in these units.
9) The “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons negatively impact the economic benefits of deer hunting in Wisconsin by reducing hunter participation and generating unnecessary ill-will towards the Department.
10) The unintended long-term consequences of “earn-a buck” and “antlerless-only” deer
hunting seasons are revealed in chronic wasting disease (“CWD”) deer management units. Ironically, the Department itself estimates that the deer population has increased 82% since 2002 in CWD units (the opposite of the Department’s objective), because landowners and hunters have rejected the Department’s management approach.
Courtesy of Michael Best & Friedrich, below you will find the Wiconsin Hunters Rights Coalitions' Position Statement on why the Wisconsin Legislature should eliminate the Earn-a-Buck and "anterless only" seasons.
Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition
POSITION STATEMENT
The Wisconsin Legislature should permanently eliminate “earn-a-buck” and October “antlerlessonly” deer hunting seasons in Wisconsin because:
1) “Earn-a-buck” and October “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons remain enormously unpopular with Wisconsin’s 650,000 plus deer hunters and threaten Wisconsin’s strong deer hunting traditions and heritage.
2) The Department originally represented that the “earn-a-buck” and October “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons would be “temporary.”
3) Wisconsin’s deer population can be effectively managed through the issuance of appropriate numbers of antlerless and bonus deer permits pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code section NR 10.104. The use of antlerless and bonus deer permits represents a reasonable and less restrictive means to achieve appropriate deer management objectives.
4) The Department’s deer population “estimates” are flawed and do not justify mandating the use of “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” hunting seasons.
A. A 2006 audit confirmed that the Department’s population estimates at the “deer management unit” level are unrealistic and inaccurate.
B. The manner in which the Department uses the “sex-age-kill” model for calculating deer population estimates results in an estimate that is only “within +/- 121.9% of the true [deer] population level, 95% of the time.”
C. Contrary to the Department’s estimates, trends in vehicle collision reports, buck harvest data, and hunters’ observations show that the deer population in Wisconsin is declining and not increasing.
5) The “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons are fundamentally incompatible with the “sex-age-kill” model that the Department is required to use to calculate deer population densities because these hunting seasons alter the buck harvest rate (which is a key variable of the model) thereby biasing population “estimates.”
6) The “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons have contributed to the
Department significantly overestimating the size of the deer population in Wisconsin.
7) The Department has established “deer population goals” for the “deer management units” described in Wisconsin Administrative Code Section NR 10.104 (4) that are below levels necessary to meet reasonable social, economic, and ecosystem management objectives. The Department’s population goal for the entire state is approximately 739,000 deer, which represents one deer per 47 acres of land. This goal is well below the biological carrying capacity of the land and antithetical to “good hunting.”
8) “Earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons are inconsistent with or otherwise violate Article 1, Section 26 of the Wisconsin Constitution; Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes; and Chapters NR 1 and 10 of the Administrative Code.
A. The seasons unreasonably infringe upon freedom of choice by hunters by requiring hunters to “kill” a deer that they would not otherwise shoot as a prerequisite to exercising their constitutionally protected right to “hunt.”
B. “Earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons are inconsistent with the Department’s obligation under Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes to promulgate rules that ensure the citizens of the state continued opportunities for “good hunting.”
C. Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes expressly condones the use of “hunter’s choice deer hunting permit[s]” and “bonus deer hunting permits” to achieve appropriate deer management objectives.
D. Wisconsin Administrative Code Section NR 10.104 (5) mandates that the Department utilize a “sex-age-kill” model to “annually calculate an estimate of the overwinter deer population for each deer management unit.” Recognizing that a “sex-age-kill” model cannot reasonably be used in “earn-a-buck” deer management units, the Department has employed the use of nauthorized methods of “estimating” the deer population in these units.
9) The “earn-a-buck” and “antlerless-only” deer hunting seasons negatively impact the economic benefits of deer hunting in Wisconsin by reducing hunter participation and generating unnecessary ill-will towards the Department.
10) The unintended long-term consequences of “earn-a buck” and “antlerless-only” deer
hunting seasons are revealed in chronic wasting disease (“CWD”) deer management units. Ironically, the Department itself estimates that the deer population has increased 82% since 2002 in CWD units (the opposite of the Department’s objective), because landowners and hunters have rejected the Department’s management approach.
2009 DNR Spring Rule Hearings - WCC County Meetings Votes are In
Monday nights 2009 DNR Spring Rule Hearings across the state did not disappoint and drew large crowds in several counties. The DNR has posted the votes from Mondays rule hearings and you can find all the results if you click on the DNR link at the bottom of this post.
Sitting in the Eau Claire county section meeting, I realized that there were a lot of dedicated hunters and outdoorsmen(and outdoorswomen) that have a passion for Wisconsin's great outdoors.
Since this is a Wisconsin Whitetail Blog, I will cover what I feel were the main whitetail issues that came up. Below you will see the results from proposed rules # 57 EAB Alternative, #59 Eliminate Earn-A-Buck (EAB) and October Antlerless Deer Hunts, # 63 Private Land-only, Antlerless-only Deer Season, #65 Maximum of Two Consecutive Years for a Deer Management Unit to be designated.
Note: I plan to have more information by the end of the day on the Earn-A-Buck update from Michael Best & Friedrich along with the position statement from the Hunters' Rights Coalition.
QUESTION 57 – An EAB Alternative
The use of the Earn-a-Buck deer season in Wisconsin has been controversial, unpopular, and seemingly unfair to many hunters since its inception. Yet, EAB has proven to be effective at reducing high deer populations. It accomplishes this by tying the ability, opportunity, and desire for harvesting a buck with the biological necessity of harvesting antlerless deer. Sadly, EAB does this on an individual hunter basis where one hunter may be able to hunt bucks for over 100 days, while another hunter may never have even one day’s chance.
Another way of utilizing the same “ability, opportunity, and desire for harvesting a buck” would be to implement a full-length antlerless season with a shortened buck harvest period. Season opening weekends (and perhaps a two or three week rutting period) would always be open for buck harvest so everyone in the DMU has the same chance at that time for a buck every year that the program is in effect. Antlerless harvest would be spurred on during the rest of the season by the desire to return to a full-season buck hunting opportunity again. Specific time periods and trigger points for the implementation of such a management tool could be developed cooperatively with the DNR. All hunters under this system would and should be treated equally.
Votes Yes: 1126
Votes No: 5472
Majority: No
Counties Approving: 0
Counties Rejecting: 71
Counties Tie Vote: 0
Counties Not Voting: 1
#59 Eliminate Earn-A-Buck (EAB) and October Antlerless Deer Hunts
Wisconsin’s deer hunting heritage and tradition is protected by a Constitutional right to hunt. Some hunters feel the current EAB and October special antlerless hunts are unreasonable in that they negatively impact hunting traditions and deny hunters the right to hunt bucks.
Votes Yes: 5513
Votes No: 1321
Majority: Yes
Counties Approving: 72
Counties Rejecting: 0
Counties Tie Vote: 0
Counties Not Voting: 0
QUESTION 63 – Private Land-only, Antlerless-only Deer Season
In an attempt to control high deer populations in some areas of the state, the Wisconsin DNR has held special 4-day antlerless-only deer seasons, usually called T-Zone seasons, in October and/or December for the last several years. Because deer hunters with antlerless tags flow to the areas with the least resistance to access, there is a wide-spread perception in many Deer Management Units that public land in those DMU’s with antlerless hunts are being over-harvested while the privately controlled land holds the actual over-population of deer in that unit.
Creating a private land-only, antlerless-only deer season might better focus antlerless harvest efforts where the actual population problem exists and could help address the concerns of over-harvesting public land.
Votes Yes: 2570
Votes No: 3933
Majority: No
Counties Approving: 12
Counties Rejecting: 58
Counties Tie Vote: 2
Counties Not Voting: 0
QUESTION 65 – Maximum of Two Consecutive Years for a Deer Management Unit to be designated as an Earn-a-Buck (EAB) unit
Earn-a-Buck regulations are very unpopular with hunters and may have led to an over harvest of antlerless deer in some areas of the state. To control deer populations in the state there needs to be a partnership between the hunters and the DNR. To build that partnership there needs to be a balance between the use of strict harvest regulations and the desires of the deer hunters.
Votes Yes: 5512
Votes No: 1325
Majority: Yes
Counties Approving: 72
Counties Rejecting: 0
Counties Tie Vote: 0
Counties Not Voting: 0
You can find all the results on the Wisconsin DNR website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/congress/spring_hearings/2009/2009_Results_Master.pdf
Sitting in the Eau Claire county section meeting, I realized that there were a lot of dedicated hunters and outdoorsmen(and outdoorswomen) that have a passion for Wisconsin's great outdoors.
Since this is a Wisconsin Whitetail Blog, I will cover what I feel were the main whitetail issues that came up. Below you will see the results from proposed rules # 57 EAB Alternative, #59 Eliminate Earn-A-Buck (EAB) and October Antlerless Deer Hunts, # 63 Private Land-only, Antlerless-only Deer Season, #65 Maximum of Two Consecutive Years for a Deer Management Unit to be designated.
Note: I plan to have more information by the end of the day on the Earn-A-Buck update from Michael Best & Friedrich along with the position statement from the Hunters' Rights Coalition.
QUESTION 57 – An EAB Alternative
The use of the Earn-a-Buck deer season in Wisconsin has been controversial, unpopular, and seemingly unfair to many hunters since its inception. Yet, EAB has proven to be effective at reducing high deer populations. It accomplishes this by tying the ability, opportunity, and desire for harvesting a buck with the biological necessity of harvesting antlerless deer. Sadly, EAB does this on an individual hunter basis where one hunter may be able to hunt bucks for over 100 days, while another hunter may never have even one day’s chance.
Another way of utilizing the same “ability, opportunity, and desire for harvesting a buck” would be to implement a full-length antlerless season with a shortened buck harvest period. Season opening weekends (and perhaps a two or three week rutting period) would always be open for buck harvest so everyone in the DMU has the same chance at that time for a buck every year that the program is in effect. Antlerless harvest would be spurred on during the rest of the season by the desire to return to a full-season buck hunting opportunity again. Specific time periods and trigger points for the implementation of such a management tool could be developed cooperatively with the DNR. All hunters under this system would and should be treated equally.
- In areas or DMUs of high over-goal deer populations and in an effort to provide equal buck-hunting opportunity to all hunters in those units, would you prefer the concept of shortening buck hunting opportunity by limiting the buck harvest equally for all hunters on a seasonal basis instead of limiting individual opportunity through the use of EAB?
Votes Yes: 1126
Votes No: 5472
Majority: No
Counties Approving: 0
Counties Rejecting: 71
Counties Tie Vote: 0
Counties Not Voting: 1
#59 Eliminate Earn-A-Buck (EAB) and October Antlerless Deer Hunts
Wisconsin’s deer hunting heritage and tradition is protected by a Constitutional right to hunt. Some hunters feel the current EAB and October special antlerless hunts are unreasonable in that they negatively impact hunting traditions and deny hunters the right to hunt bucks.
- Would you support the DNR eliminating Earn-a-Buck and special October antlerless deer hunts?
Votes Yes: 5513
Votes No: 1321
Majority: Yes
Counties Approving: 72
Counties Rejecting: 0
Counties Tie Vote: 0
Counties Not Voting: 0
QUESTION 63 – Private Land-only, Antlerless-only Deer Season
In an attempt to control high deer populations in some areas of the state, the Wisconsin DNR has held special 4-day antlerless-only deer seasons, usually called T-Zone seasons, in October and/or December for the last several years. Because deer hunters with antlerless tags flow to the areas with the least resistance to access, there is a wide-spread perception in many Deer Management Units that public land in those DMU’s with antlerless hunts are being over-harvested while the privately controlled land holds the actual over-population of deer in that unit.
Creating a private land-only, antlerless-only deer season might better focus antlerless harvest efforts where the actual population problem exists and could help address the concerns of over-harvesting public land.
- Would you support the concept of some type of private land-only, antlerless-only deer season as a more focused and precise tool for deer population management?
Votes Yes: 2570
Votes No: 3933
Majority: No
Counties Approving: 12
Counties Rejecting: 58
Counties Tie Vote: 2
Counties Not Voting: 0
QUESTION 65 – Maximum of Two Consecutive Years for a Deer Management Unit to be designated as an Earn-a-Buck (EAB) unit
Earn-a-Buck regulations are very unpopular with hunters and may have led to an over harvest of antlerless deer in some areas of the state. To control deer populations in the state there needs to be a partnership between the hunters and the DNR. To build that partnership there needs to be a balance between the use of strict harvest regulations and the desires of the deer hunters.
- Would you support a rule change that would prohibit EAB seasons from being held for more than two consecutive years within the same unit, and would require a one year break from EAB, before a unit could be re-designated as an EAB unit?
Votes Yes: 5512
Votes No: 1325
Majority: Yes
Counties Approving: 72
Counties Rejecting: 0
Counties Tie Vote: 0
Counties Not Voting: 0
You can find all the results on the Wisconsin DNR website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/congress/spring_hearings/2009/2009_Results_Master.pdf
Monday, April 13, 2009
Reminder for 2009 Annual DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings Tonight
Reminder for 2009 Annual DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings Tonight
The 2009 Annual DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress County Meetings will take place on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7 p.m., in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties (hearing notice including rule proposals and hearing locations).
Attendees will have a chance to elect county delegates to represent their views on natural resource issues, record their preference for DNR rule proposals and weigh in on a variety of Natural Resources Board and Conservation Congress advisory questions. There is also an opportunity at the end of the hearing to introduce resolutions pertaining to the management of natural resources in Wisconsin. Last year over 6,400 people attended the hearings.
To view the meeting locations by county see: http://wisconsinwhitetail.blogspot.com/2009/04/2009-dnr-hearings-set-for-april-13th.html
The 2009 Annual DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress County Meetings will take place on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7 p.m., in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties (hearing notice including rule proposals and hearing locations).
Attendees will have a chance to elect county delegates to represent their views on natural resource issues, record their preference for DNR rule proposals and weigh in on a variety of Natural Resources Board and Conservation Congress advisory questions. There is also an opportunity at the end of the hearing to introduce resolutions pertaining to the management of natural resources in Wisconsin. Last year over 6,400 people attended the hearings.
To view the meeting locations by county see: http://wisconsinwhitetail.blogspot.com/2009/04/2009-dnr-hearings-set-for-april-13th.html
Friday, April 10, 2009
DNR Releases Recommended 2009 Whitetail Deer Season Map
Thursday, April 9, 2009
WDNR News Release - DNR recommends one year moratorium on Earn-a-Buck program outside Chronic Wasting Disease zones
DNR recommends one year moratorium on Earn-a-Buck program outside Chronic Wasting Disease zones
News Release Published: April 9, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Tom Hauge, Wildlife Management Director, (608) 266-2193Mark Aquino, Acting Lands Deputy Administrator (608) 267-7472
News Release Published: April 9, 2009 by the Central Office
Contact(s): Tom Hauge, Wildlife Management Director, (608) 266-2193Mark Aquino, Acting Lands Deputy Administrator (608) 267-7472
MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Matt Frank today announced the department will recommend a one-year moratorium on the Earn-a-Buck program outside of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zone for the 2009 deer hunt.
Additionally, DNR is recommending 40 deer management units Recommended 2009 Deer Season Structure that had the October antlerless hunt last year (without Earn-a-Buck) will now have a regular hunting season for 2009.
Complete text of the proposal going to the Natural Resources Board for consideration on April 22 is now available.
“Deer hunting is a rich tradition in Wisconsin, and the DNR takes our role in protecting this important part of our heritage very seriously,” Secretary Frank said. “In light of the recommendation from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, and the concerns of hunters expressed at annual DMU (deer management unit) meetings across the state and two legislative hearings sponsored by Sen. Holperin and Rep. Hraychuck, the DNR is recommending a one year moratorium on the use of Earn-a-Buck in DMUs outside of the CWD zone for the 2009 hunting season. Retaining Earn-a-Buck within the CWD zone maintains our commitment to controlling the spread of CWD by reducing local deer populations.”
The Conservation Congress Big Game Study Committee reviewed the department’s deer season proposal. The committee recommended a one year moratorium on Earn-a-Buck (except in CWD zones) and that all recommended Earn-a-Buck units be changed to Herd Control (October hunt) units. The Big Game Study Committee was clear that if, during this moratorium, the deer herd increased, Earn-a-Buck would return in 2010.
“We made additional efforts this year to gather hunter and public input,” Secretary Frank said. “We expanded our information collection methods to include over 40 public meetings around the state and more than twice as many people attended herd status meetings this year than last. For the first time, we offered an online survey, which was completed by over 6,000 people.”
Hunter frustration with the fall 2008 hunt was particularly pronounced this year, aggravating fundamental concerns with Earn-a-Buck. These final recommendations reflect feedback received from the Conservation Congress, the DNR’s herd status meetings and the new online survey.
Deer populations were lower than anticipated in fall of 2008. The impacts of the harsh winter weather and the late, cool spring reduced fawn production and deer survival more than anticipated.
“We have taken action in response to avoid the problems encountered last season and improve our science base for decision making,” Secretary Frank said. “One of the steps we have already taken is to establish more stations to measure winter severity and have a more complete picture of winter impact on fawn production and deer survival.”
Deer population goals are established to ensure a healthy deer herd and habitat for the long term, ensuring the preservation of our great hunting traditions for future generations. A deer herd above a healthy population goal stunts forest regeneration and causes significant crop damage.
“Our population goals are also designed to protect the long-term vitality and economic viability of our forests and our agriculture lands,” Secretary Frank said. “By achieving the right balance, we preserve Wisconsin’s great deer hunting tradition for generations to come, and maintain hunting, forestry and agriculture as key components of Wisconsin’s economy.”
During the moratorium, the DNR proposes to work with the Congress, the Natural Resources Board, hunters, landowners and the public to consider potential changes to Earn-a-Buck or consider other herd control measures that effectively move the herd towards population goals. This year coincides with the regularly scheduled three year review of deer population goals that will provide additional opportunity for public input.
Earn-A-Buck Update
Earn-A-Buck Update
Ben Halverson
All the talk about the earn-a-buck rule seems to have hit home for the DNR.
According to the Associated Press(April 9, 2009), "The state Department of Natural Resources is recommending a 1-year moratorium on an unpopular rule that requires deer hunters to shoot an antlerless deer before they kill a buck.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank said Thursday the earn-a-buck moratorium would be in effect in all of Wisconsin next season except the chronic wasting disease zone in the southern part of the state." View the rest of the article at: http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10157794&nav=menu1362_2
As this progresses, I will continue to post my thoughts and updates. Please add any comments as to any research you would like me to do or any information you would like me to find.
Source: WKOW website, http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10157794&nav=menu1362_2
Ben Halverson
All the talk about the earn-a-buck rule seems to have hit home for the DNR.
According to the Associated Press(April 9, 2009), "The state Department of Natural Resources is recommending a 1-year moratorium on an unpopular rule that requires deer hunters to shoot an antlerless deer before they kill a buck.
DNR Secretary Matt Frank said Thursday the earn-a-buck moratorium would be in effect in all of Wisconsin next season except the chronic wasting disease zone in the southern part of the state." View the rest of the article at: http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10157794&nav=menu1362_2
As this progresses, I will continue to post my thoughts and updates. Please add any comments as to any research you would like me to do or any information you would like me to find.
Source: WKOW website, http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10157794&nav=menu1362_2
Legal Help for Hunters: It’s About Time:
Legal Help for Hunters: It’s About Time
Ben Halverson
According to an article in the Journal Sentinel (Smith 2009), “Wisconsin Hunters Rights' Coalition and the Wisconsin Chapters of Safari Club International have retained a law firm in their drive to eliminate Earn-A-Buck regulations and the October antlerless deer hunting season in the state.” All I have to say about this approach is…its about time.
Earn-a-buck regulations, which we all know is shooting a doe before we can harvest a buck. Some think this is simple or very basic tool to helping the DNR regulate the size of the herd. When is it time that we as hunters get a say on how we want to regulate the herd, well it sounds as though we have finally gotten the answer.
According to the article Michael Best & Friedrich is the firm brought on to help change current methods. What I know about Michael Best & Friedrich is that change is on the way. Thank you MB&F!
According to the Wisconsin DNR site “Changing season structure for areas where the population was substantially lower than in previous years by:
- Preliminarily recommending cutting back the number of Herd Control units (the October gun hunt) from 56 to 19, mostly in the northwest.
- Recommending reducing the number of Earn a Buck units from 29 in 2008 to 25 this year (outside of CWD units) in the Green Bay and Eau Claire areas.
- Asking hunters about the elimination of the antlerless hunt in some northeast units that are significantly below a healthy population goal.”
Source: Hunters' groups enlist legal help in deer review, by Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 8, 2009 http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/42699192.html
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, DNR announces up to date preliminary deer harvest figures, March 10, 009 http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_Article_Lookup.asp?id=1008
2009 DNR Hearings Set for April 13th
The 2009 Annual DNR Spring Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Conservation Congress County Meetings will take place on Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7 p.m., in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties (hearing notice including rule proposals and hearing locations). Attendees will have a chance to elect county delegates to represent their views on natural resource issues, record their preference for DNR rule proposals and weigh in on a variety of Natural Resources Board and Conservation Congress advisory questions. There is also an opportunity at the end of the hearing to introduce resolutions pertaining to the management of natural resources in Wisconsin. Last year over 6,400 people attended the hearings.
Here are the statewide locations:
Adams Adams County Courthouse, Board Room, 402 Main Street, Friendship
Ashland Ashland Senior High School, Auditorium, 1900 Beaser Avenue, Ashland
Barron Barron Government Center, 330 E. LaSalle Ave., Barron
Bayfield Drummond high School, Auditorium, 52440 Eastern Ave., Drummond
Brown Franklin Middle School, Auditorium, 1234 W. Mason, Green Bay
Buffalo Alma High School, Gymnasium, S1618 STH 35, Alma
Burnett Burnett County Government Center, Room 165, 7410 County Road K, Siren
Calumet Calumet County Courthouse, B025, 206 Court Street, Chilton
Chippewa Chippewa Falls Middle School, Auditorium, 750 Tropicana Blvd., Chippewa Falls
Clark Greenwood High School, Cafetorium, 306 W. Central Ave., Greenwood
Columbia Portage Junior High School, 2505 New Pinery Rd., Portage
Crawford Crawford County Courthouse, Court Room, 220 N. Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien
Dane Middleton Performing Arts Center at Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol St., Middleton
Dodge Horicon City Hall, 404 E. Lake Street, Horicon
Door Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Ave., Sturgeon Bay
Douglas Brule Town Hall, 5814 S. Maple St., Brule
Dunn Dunn County Fish and Game Club, 1900 Pioneer Ave., Menomonie
Eau Claire South Middle School, Auditorium, 2115 Mitscher Ave., Eau Claire
Florence Florence Natural Resource Center, Basement, Highway 70/101, Florence
Fond du Lac Theisen Middle School, 525 E Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac
Forest Crandon High School, Auditorium, 9750 USH 8 W, Crandon
Grant Lancaster High School, Auditorium, 806 Elm Street, Lancaster
Green Monroe Middle School, 1510 13th Street, Monroe
Green Lake Green Lake High School, Small Gym, 612 Mill St., Green Lake
Iowa Dodgeville High School, Gymnasium, 912 West Chapel Street, Dodgeville
Iron Iron County Courthouse, 300 Taconite St., Hurley
Jackson Black River Falls Middle School, LGI Room, 1202 Pierce Street, Black River Falls
Jefferson Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Activity Center, 503 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson
Juneau Olson Middle School, Auditorium, 508 Grayside Avenue, Mauston
Kenosha Bristol Grade School, Gymnasium, 20121 83rd Street, Bristol
Kewaunee Kewaunee High School, Auditorium, 911 3rd Street, Kewaunee
La Crosse Onalaska High School, Field House, 700 Hilltop Place, Onalaska
Lafayette Darlington High School, Auditorium, 11838 Center Hill Road, Darlington
Langlade Antigo High School, Volm Auditorium,1900 10th Avenue, Antigo
Lincoln Tomahawk Elementary School, 1048 East Kings Road, Tomahawk
Manitowoc UW Manitowoc, Theater, 705 Viebahn Street, Manitowoc
Marathon D.C. Everest Middle School, 9302 Schofield Avenue, Weston
Marinette Crivitz High School, Auditorium, 400 South Ave, Crivitz
Marquette Montello High School, Community Room, 222 Forest Lane, Montello
Menominee Menominee County Courthouse, Basement, Courthouse Lane, Keshena
Milwaukee Nathan Hale High School, Auditorium, 11601 West Lincoln Avenue, West Allis
Monroe Tomah High School, Cafeteria, 901 Lincoln Ave., Tomah
Oconto Suring High School, Cafeteria, 411 E. Algoma St., Suring
Oneida James Williams Junior High School, 915 Acacia, Rhinelander
Outagamie Riverview Middle School, Auditorium, 101 Oak Street, Kaukauna
Ozaukee Port Washington American Legion, 435 Lake St., Port Washington
Pepin Pepin County Government Center, County Board Room, 740 7th Avenue W., Durand
Pierce Ellsworth Senior High School, Gymnasium, 323 Hillcrest St., Ellsworth
Polk Unity High School, Gymnasium, 908 150th Street/Hwy 46, Balsam Lake
Portage Ben Franklin Junior High School, Auditorium, 2000 Polk Street, Stevens Point
Price Price County Courthouse, County Board Room, 126 Cherry Street, Phillips
Racine Union Grove High School, Auditorium (Use Hwy. 45 School Entrance), 3433 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove
Richland Richland County Courthouse, 181 West Seminary, Richland Center
Rock Pontiac Convention Center, 2809 N. Pontiac Dr., Janesville
Rusk Ladysmith High School, Auditorium, 1700 E. Edgewood Ave., Ladysmith
Sauk UW – Baraboo Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theater, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo
Sawyer Hayward Area Middle School, Cafetorium, 10408 Greenwood Ln., Hayward
Shawano Shawano Community Middle School, LGI Room, 1050 S. Union Street, Shawano
Sheboygan Sheboygan Falls High School, Auditorium, 220 Amherst Avenue, Sheboygan Falls
St. Croix WI Indianhead Technical College, Cashman Conf. Room, 1019 S. Knowles Ave., New Richmond
Taylor Taylor Co. Fairgrounds, Multipurpose Building, State Hwy 13 and Hwy 64 Intersection, Medford
Trempealeau Whitehall City Center, Gymnasium, 36245 Park Street, Whitehall
Vernon Viroqua High School, 100 Blackhawk Drive, Viroqua
Vilas Town of Plum Lake Town Hall, 235 Lake St., Sayner
Walworth Delavan/Darien High School, Auditorium, 150 Cummings, Delavan
Washburn WI Ag Research Station, W6646 Hwy 70, Spooner
Washington Washington County Fair Park, Exhibit Hall, 3000 Hwy PV, West Bend
Waukesha Waukesha Co. Tech. College (WCTC), Anderson Education Center, 800 Main St., Pewaukee
Waupaca Waupaca High School, Auditorium, E2325 King Road, Waupaca
Waushara Waushara County Court House, 2nd Floor Old Courtroom, 209 S. St. Marie, Wautoma
Winnebago Webster Stanley Auditorium, 915 Hazel Street, Oshkosh
Wood Pittsville High School, Auditorium, 5459 Elementary Ave., Pittsville
Here are the statewide locations:
Adams Adams County Courthouse, Board Room, 402 Main Street, Friendship
Ashland Ashland Senior High School, Auditorium, 1900 Beaser Avenue, Ashland
Barron Barron Government Center, 330 E. LaSalle Ave., Barron
Bayfield Drummond high School, Auditorium, 52440 Eastern Ave., Drummond
Brown Franklin Middle School, Auditorium, 1234 W. Mason, Green Bay
Buffalo Alma High School, Gymnasium, S1618 STH 35, Alma
Burnett Burnett County Government Center, Room 165, 7410 County Road K, Siren
Calumet Calumet County Courthouse, B025, 206 Court Street, Chilton
Chippewa Chippewa Falls Middle School, Auditorium, 750 Tropicana Blvd., Chippewa Falls
Clark Greenwood High School, Cafetorium, 306 W. Central Ave., Greenwood
Columbia Portage Junior High School, 2505 New Pinery Rd., Portage
Crawford Crawford County Courthouse, Court Room, 220 N. Beaumont Road, Prairie du Chien
Dane Middleton Performing Arts Center at Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol St., Middleton
Dodge Horicon City Hall, 404 E. Lake Street, Horicon
Door Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Ave., Sturgeon Bay
Douglas Brule Town Hall, 5814 S. Maple St., Brule
Dunn Dunn County Fish and Game Club, 1900 Pioneer Ave., Menomonie
Eau Claire South Middle School, Auditorium, 2115 Mitscher Ave., Eau Claire
Florence Florence Natural Resource Center, Basement, Highway 70/101, Florence
Fond du Lac Theisen Middle School, 525 E Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac
Forest Crandon High School, Auditorium, 9750 USH 8 W, Crandon
Grant Lancaster High School, Auditorium, 806 Elm Street, Lancaster
Green Monroe Middle School, 1510 13th Street, Monroe
Green Lake Green Lake High School, Small Gym, 612 Mill St., Green Lake
Iowa Dodgeville High School, Gymnasium, 912 West Chapel Street, Dodgeville
Iron Iron County Courthouse, 300 Taconite St., Hurley
Jackson Black River Falls Middle School, LGI Room, 1202 Pierce Street, Black River Falls
Jefferson Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Activity Center, 503 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson
Juneau Olson Middle School, Auditorium, 508 Grayside Avenue, Mauston
Kenosha Bristol Grade School, Gymnasium, 20121 83rd Street, Bristol
Kewaunee Kewaunee High School, Auditorium, 911 3rd Street, Kewaunee
La Crosse Onalaska High School, Field House, 700 Hilltop Place, Onalaska
Lafayette Darlington High School, Auditorium, 11838 Center Hill Road, Darlington
Langlade Antigo High School, Volm Auditorium,1900 10th Avenue, Antigo
Lincoln Tomahawk Elementary School, 1048 East Kings Road, Tomahawk
Manitowoc UW Manitowoc, Theater, 705 Viebahn Street, Manitowoc
Marathon D.C. Everest Middle School, 9302 Schofield Avenue, Weston
Marinette Crivitz High School, Auditorium, 400 South Ave, Crivitz
Marquette Montello High School, Community Room, 222 Forest Lane, Montello
Menominee Menominee County Courthouse, Basement, Courthouse Lane, Keshena
Milwaukee Nathan Hale High School, Auditorium, 11601 West Lincoln Avenue, West Allis
Monroe Tomah High School, Cafeteria, 901 Lincoln Ave., Tomah
Oconto Suring High School, Cafeteria, 411 E. Algoma St., Suring
Oneida James Williams Junior High School, 915 Acacia, Rhinelander
Outagamie Riverview Middle School, Auditorium, 101 Oak Street, Kaukauna
Ozaukee Port Washington American Legion, 435 Lake St., Port Washington
Pepin Pepin County Government Center, County Board Room, 740 7th Avenue W., Durand
Pierce Ellsworth Senior High School, Gymnasium, 323 Hillcrest St., Ellsworth
Polk Unity High School, Gymnasium, 908 150th Street/Hwy 46, Balsam Lake
Portage Ben Franklin Junior High School, Auditorium, 2000 Polk Street, Stevens Point
Price Price County Courthouse, County Board Room, 126 Cherry Street, Phillips
Racine Union Grove High School, Auditorium (Use Hwy. 45 School Entrance), 3433 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove
Richland Richland County Courthouse, 181 West Seminary, Richland Center
Rock Pontiac Convention Center, 2809 N. Pontiac Dr., Janesville
Rusk Ladysmith High School, Auditorium, 1700 E. Edgewood Ave., Ladysmith
Sauk UW – Baraboo Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theater, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo
Sawyer Hayward Area Middle School, Cafetorium, 10408 Greenwood Ln., Hayward
Shawano Shawano Community Middle School, LGI Room, 1050 S. Union Street, Shawano
Sheboygan Sheboygan Falls High School, Auditorium, 220 Amherst Avenue, Sheboygan Falls
St. Croix WI Indianhead Technical College, Cashman Conf. Room, 1019 S. Knowles Ave., New Richmond
Taylor Taylor Co. Fairgrounds, Multipurpose Building, State Hwy 13 and Hwy 64 Intersection, Medford
Trempealeau Whitehall City Center, Gymnasium, 36245 Park Street, Whitehall
Vernon Viroqua High School, 100 Blackhawk Drive, Viroqua
Vilas Town of Plum Lake Town Hall, 235 Lake St., Sayner
Walworth Delavan/Darien High School, Auditorium, 150 Cummings, Delavan
Washburn WI Ag Research Station, W6646 Hwy 70, Spooner
Washington Washington County Fair Park, Exhibit Hall, 3000 Hwy PV, West Bend
Waukesha Waukesha Co. Tech. College (WCTC), Anderson Education Center, 800 Main St., Pewaukee
Waupaca Waupaca High School, Auditorium, E2325 King Road, Waupaca
Waushara Waushara County Court House, 2nd Floor Old Courtroom, 209 S. St. Marie, Wautoma
Winnebago Webster Stanley Auditorium, 915 Hazel Street, Oshkosh
Wood Pittsville High School, Auditorium, 5459 Elementary Ave., Pittsville
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