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 Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Management. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wisconsin DNR and the $2 Million Project on Tracking Whitetail Deer
MADISON — State wildlife officials reeling from hunter frustration and distrust announced a $2 million project to better track Wisconsin's deer population Wednesday.
Department of Natural Resources officials hope the effort will give them their best idea yet of how many deer roam the state and the threats they face — and generate confidence from hunters who lost faith in agency strategies after an anemic fall hunt.
"We have heard their concerns and we believe this is a significant action to ensure ... we have the best system possible," agency Secretary Matt Frank said.
Hunters have constantly complained about the DNR's regulations, but their anger boiled over in the fall after two years of poor hunts.
They insist the DNR overestimated the herd and imposed draconian reduction strategies, including multiple hunting seasons, more antlerless deer tags and earn-a-buck regulations, which require hunters to kill an antlerless deer before they can take a buck. They say those moves have devastated the deer population, putting their beloved sport's future in jeopardy.
Things got so heated, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, called for the DNR to fire every employee involved in deer management.
The DNR's new project, dubbed "Investing in Wisconsin's Whitetails," calls for a host of initiatives, including:
EWorking with the University of Wisconsin System to research buck and fawn mortality, including evaluations of how weather, habitat, hunting and predators such as wolves and bears affect the population.
ETagging deer with radio collars.
EWorking with UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point to study hunter participation and develop retention strategies.
EContinuing chronic wasting disease research.
EHiring a postdoctoral researcher to evaluate the usefulness of car-deer collision data in population estimates.
EExpanding a database of hunter observations.
EImproving communications with stakeholders, including appointing a team to relay information to hunters, revamping the agency's Web page and looking at online social networking sites.
EContinual online progress reports, likely as often as quarterly.
"This is the largest investment in deer management in our history," DNR big game ecologist Keith Warnke said.
The money for the project comes from a surge in Wisconsin's share of federal taxes on firearms and ammunition.
Warnke said some of the initiatives could take up to five years or longer to complete. Hunter participation will be crucial, he said.
Ed Harvey, president of the Conservation Congress, an influential group of sportsmen who advise the DNR, said the research project is just what the agency needs to rekindle confidence.
"We've been pushing for it for months," Harvey said. "We've been pushing for something a little less extensive than what they're proposing. They're one-upping us and that's a great thing. It's exactly what's needed."
Source: theNorthwestern.com
Site: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20100228/OSH0101/2280348/1987/OSHbusiness/DNR-starts-2-million-project-to-track-deer
Department of Natural Resources officials hope the effort will give them their best idea yet of how many deer roam the state and the threats they face — and generate confidence from hunters who lost faith in agency strategies after an anemic fall hunt.
"We have heard their concerns and we believe this is a significant action to ensure ... we have the best system possible," agency Secretary Matt Frank said.
Hunters have constantly complained about the DNR's regulations, but their anger boiled over in the fall after two years of poor hunts.
They insist the DNR overestimated the herd and imposed draconian reduction strategies, including multiple hunting seasons, more antlerless deer tags and earn-a-buck regulations, which require hunters to kill an antlerless deer before they can take a buck. They say those moves have devastated the deer population, putting their beloved sport's future in jeopardy.
Things got so heated, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, called for the DNR to fire every employee involved in deer management.
The DNR's new project, dubbed "Investing in Wisconsin's Whitetails," calls for a host of initiatives, including:
EWorking with the University of Wisconsin System to research buck and fawn mortality, including evaluations of how weather, habitat, hunting and predators such as wolves and bears affect the population.
ETagging deer with radio collars.
EWorking with UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point to study hunter participation and develop retention strategies.
EContinuing chronic wasting disease research.
EHiring a postdoctoral researcher to evaluate the usefulness of car-deer collision data in population estimates.
EExpanding a database of hunter observations.
EImproving communications with stakeholders, including appointing a team to relay information to hunters, revamping the agency's Web page and looking at online social networking sites.
EContinual online progress reports, likely as often as quarterly.
"This is the largest investment in deer management in our history," DNR big game ecologist Keith Warnke said.
The money for the project comes from a surge in Wisconsin's share of federal taxes on firearms and ammunition.
Warnke said some of the initiatives could take up to five years or longer to complete. Hunter participation will be crucial, he said.
Ed Harvey, president of the Conservation Congress, an influential group of sportsmen who advise the DNR, said the research project is just what the agency needs to rekindle confidence.
"We've been pushing for it for months," Harvey said. "We've been pushing for something a little less extensive than what they're proposing. They're one-upping us and that's a great thing. It's exactly what's needed."
Source: theNorthwestern.com
Site: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20100228/OSH0101/2280348/1987/OSHbusiness/DNR-starts-2-million-project-to-track-deer
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.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sportsmen and Women Call for Veto Override on AB 138, DNR Secretary Appointment Bill
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.
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.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Big Game Harvest Estimates: Whitetail Deer (Gun)
Big Game Harvest Estimates:
White-tailed Deer (Gun)
Wisconsin DNR
Year, Estimated Harvest, Antlerless Deer - In parenthesis (1), Leading Counties
1930 30,000 County totals not available
1931 -- No estimate available
1932, 36,009, Sawyer, Price, Bayfield, Vilas, Ashland
1933 -- Closed season
1934 21,251 Sawyer, Bayfield, Vilas, Oneida, Ashland
1935 -- Closed season
1936 29,676 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1937 14,835 Vilas, Bayfield, Oneida, Sawyer, Price
1938 32,855 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1939 25,730 Vilas, Bayfield, Oneida, Sawyer, Price
1940 33,138 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1941 40,403 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1942 45,188 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
19432 128,296 Vilas, Sawyer, Oneida, Bayfield, Price
1944 28,537 Bayfield, Vilas, Oneida, Marinette, Douglas
1945 37,527 Bayfield, Marinette, Vilas, Jackson, Douglas
1946 55,276 Vilas, Juneau, Bayfield, Jackson, Marinette
1947 53,520 Juneau, Bayfield, Marinette, Vilas, Jackson
1948 41,954 Marinette, Jackson, Bayfield, Vilas, Oneida
1949 159,112 Jackson, Vilas, Marinette, Bayfield, Oneida
1950 167,911 Vilas, Marinette, Bayfield, Oneida, Jackson
1951 129,475 Bayfield, Price, Oneida, Douglas, Forest
1952 27,504 Forest, Jackson, Marinette, Lincoln, Douglas
19533 19,823 Vilas, Jackson, Marinette, Price, Oneida
1954 24,698 Vilas, Forest, Marinette, Jackson, Price
1955 35,060 Marinette, Buffalo, Price, Oneida, Dunn
1956 35,562 Jackson, Marinette, Oneida, Vilas, Price
1957 68,138 (25,359) Jackson, Marinette, Oneida, Vilas, Bayfield
1958 95,234 (44,987) Jackson, Oneida, Marinette, Price, Vilas
1959 105,596 (47,696) Oneida, Price, Marinette, Sawyer, Forest
1960 61,005 (25,515) Price, Marinette, Oneida, Vilas, Bayfield
1961 38,772 Jackson, Price, Bayfield, Douglas, Marinette
1962 45,835 Jackson, Oneida, Price, Douglas, Bayfield
1963 65,020 (4,513) Jackson, Bayfield, Clark, Buffalo, Douglas
1964 93,445 (19,557) Jackson, Bayfield, Price, Douglas, Sawyer
1965 98,744 (30,064) Jackson, Oneida, Bayfield, Marinette, Price
1966 110,062 (42,700) Jackson, Waupaca, Bayfield, Marinette, Douglas
1967 128,527 (57,495) Waupaca, Jackson, Marinette, Oneida, Bayfield
1968 119,986 (57,465) Waupaca, Marinette, Jackson, Waushara, Bayfield
1969 98,008 (45,353) Marinette, Waupaca, Jackson, Shawano, Marathon
1970 72,844 (22,536) Buffalo, Jackson, Waupaca, Marinette, Wood
1971 70,835 (21,841) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Wood, Shawano
1972 74,827 (25,411) Jackson, Waupaca, Adams, Wood, Buffalo
1973 82,105 (24,741) Jackson, Waupaca, Adams, Shawano, Wood
1974 100,405 (33,092) Jackson, Waupaca, Wood, Adams, Marathon
1975 117,378 (44,005) Jackson, Waupaca, Marathon, Wood, Waushara
1976 122,509 (52,999) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Shawano, Marathon
1977 131,910 (49,148) Jackson, Columbia, Marinette, Buffalo, Waupaca
1978 150,845 (63,448) Jackson, Marinette, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood
1979 125,570 (49,020) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Marinette, Sauk
1980 139,624 (58,583) Jackson, Waupaca, Sauk, Marinette, Iowa
1981 166,673 (67,639) Jackson, Marinette, Sauk, Waupaca, Marathon
1982 182,715 (85,181) Jackson, Waupaca, Marinette, Sauk, Marquette
1983 197,600 (100,972) Iowa, Sauk, Jackson, Waupaca, Columbia
1984 255,726 (138,923) Sauk, Iowa, Jackson, Columbia, Richland, Marinette
1985 274,302 (161,601) Marinette, Jackson, Waupaca, Oconto, Shawano, Sauk
1986 259,240 (141,354) Jackson, Sauk, Marinette, Waupaca, Shawano
1987 250,530 (133,649) Marinette, Jackson, Waupaca, Marathon, Clark
1988 263,424 (141,888) Marinette, Waupaca, Marathon, Jackson, Clark
1989 310,192 (170,541) Marinette, Marathon, Waupaca, Clark, Oconto
1990 350,040 (209,314) Marinette, Marathon, Clark, Jackson, Waupaca
1991 352,520 (232,511) Marinette, Douglas, Polk, Burnett, Waupaca
1992 288,820 (177,344) Marinette, Jackson, Clark, Marathon, Waupaca
1993 217,584 (101,077) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Iowa, Sauk
1994 307,629 (172,055) Marinette, Jackson, Marathon, Clark, Sauk
1995 398,002 (226,111) Marinette, Jackson, Marathon, Clark, Sauk
1996 388,791 (250,169) Marinette, Iowa, Jackson, Marathon, Sauk
1997 292,513 (171,463) Sauk, Marathon, Waupaca, Shawano, Buffalo
1998 332,254 (180,679) Marinette, Marathon, Portage, Oneida, Jackson
1999 402,204 (242,948) Marathon, Marinette, Clark, Jackson, Waupaca
2000 528,494 (356,741) Marinette, Marathon, Clark, Bayfield, Jackson
2001 361,264 (219,322) Marinette, Marathon, Bayfield, Clark, Oneida
2002 317,888 (191,432) Marinette, Clark, Marathon, Waupaca, Shawano
2003 388,344 (240,908) Sauk, Marathon, Marinette, Bayfield, Waupaca
2004 413,794 (280,571) Marathon, Waupaca, Clark, Shawano, Bayfield
2005 387,310 (239,688) Marathon, Clark, Waupaca, Shawano, Jackson
2006 393,306 (256,028) Marathon, Clark, Jackson, Waupaca, Polk
2007 402,563 (269,432) Marathon, Clark, Polk, Waupaca, Shawano
(1) Number of quota (antlerless) deer in parenthesis included in estimated harvest; bold numbers include estimates with unknowns.
(2) Split season.
(3) First year of mandatory gun deer registration.
White-tailed Deer (Gun)
Wisconsin DNR
Year, Estimated Harvest, Antlerless Deer - In parenthesis (1), Leading Counties
1930 30,000 County totals not available
1931 -- No estimate available
1932, 36,009, Sawyer, Price, Bayfield, Vilas, Ashland
1933 -- Closed season
1934 21,251 Sawyer, Bayfield, Vilas, Oneida, Ashland
1935 -- Closed season
1936 29,676 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1937 14,835 Vilas, Bayfield, Oneida, Sawyer, Price
1938 32,855 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1939 25,730 Vilas, Bayfield, Oneida, Sawyer, Price
1940 33,138 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1941 40,403 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
1942 45,188 Vilas, Bayfield, Sawyer, Oneida, Price
19432 128,296 Vilas, Sawyer, Oneida, Bayfield, Price
1944 28,537 Bayfield, Vilas, Oneida, Marinette, Douglas
1945 37,527 Bayfield, Marinette, Vilas, Jackson, Douglas
1946 55,276 Vilas, Juneau, Bayfield, Jackson, Marinette
1947 53,520 Juneau, Bayfield, Marinette, Vilas, Jackson
1948 41,954 Marinette, Jackson, Bayfield, Vilas, Oneida
1949 159,112 Jackson, Vilas, Marinette, Bayfield, Oneida
1950 167,911 Vilas, Marinette, Bayfield, Oneida, Jackson
1951 129,475 Bayfield, Price, Oneida, Douglas, Forest
1952 27,504 Forest, Jackson, Marinette, Lincoln, Douglas
19533 19,823 Vilas, Jackson, Marinette, Price, Oneida
1954 24,698 Vilas, Forest, Marinette, Jackson, Price
1955 35,060 Marinette, Buffalo, Price, Oneida, Dunn
1956 35,562 Jackson, Marinette, Oneida, Vilas, Price
1957 68,138 (25,359) Jackson, Marinette, Oneida, Vilas, Bayfield
1958 95,234 (44,987) Jackson, Oneida, Marinette, Price, Vilas
1959 105,596 (47,696) Oneida, Price, Marinette, Sawyer, Forest
1960 61,005 (25,515) Price, Marinette, Oneida, Vilas, Bayfield
1961 38,772 Jackson, Price, Bayfield, Douglas, Marinette
1962 45,835 Jackson, Oneida, Price, Douglas, Bayfield
1963 65,020 (4,513) Jackson, Bayfield, Clark, Buffalo, Douglas
1964 93,445 (19,557) Jackson, Bayfield, Price, Douglas, Sawyer
1965 98,744 (30,064) Jackson, Oneida, Bayfield, Marinette, Price
1966 110,062 (42,700) Jackson, Waupaca, Bayfield, Marinette, Douglas
1967 128,527 (57,495) Waupaca, Jackson, Marinette, Oneida, Bayfield
1968 119,986 (57,465) Waupaca, Marinette, Jackson, Waushara, Bayfield
1969 98,008 (45,353) Marinette, Waupaca, Jackson, Shawano, Marathon
1970 72,844 (22,536) Buffalo, Jackson, Waupaca, Marinette, Wood
1971 70,835 (21,841) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Wood, Shawano
1972 74,827 (25,411) Jackson, Waupaca, Adams, Wood, Buffalo
1973 82,105 (24,741) Jackson, Waupaca, Adams, Shawano, Wood
1974 100,405 (33,092) Jackson, Waupaca, Wood, Adams, Marathon
1975 117,378 (44,005) Jackson, Waupaca, Marathon, Wood, Waushara
1976 122,509 (52,999) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Shawano, Marathon
1977 131,910 (49,148) Jackson, Columbia, Marinette, Buffalo, Waupaca
1978 150,845 (63,448) Jackson, Marinette, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood
1979 125,570 (49,020) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Marinette, Sauk
1980 139,624 (58,583) Jackson, Waupaca, Sauk, Marinette, Iowa
1981 166,673 (67,639) Jackson, Marinette, Sauk, Waupaca, Marathon
1982 182,715 (85,181) Jackson, Waupaca, Marinette, Sauk, Marquette
1983 197,600 (100,972) Iowa, Sauk, Jackson, Waupaca, Columbia
1984 255,726 (138,923) Sauk, Iowa, Jackson, Columbia, Richland, Marinette
1985 274,302 (161,601) Marinette, Jackson, Waupaca, Oconto, Shawano, Sauk
1986 259,240 (141,354) Jackson, Sauk, Marinette, Waupaca, Shawano
1987 250,530 (133,649) Marinette, Jackson, Waupaca, Marathon, Clark
1988 263,424 (141,888) Marinette, Waupaca, Marathon, Jackson, Clark
1989 310,192 (170,541) Marinette, Marathon, Waupaca, Clark, Oconto
1990 350,040 (209,314) Marinette, Marathon, Clark, Jackson, Waupaca
1991 352,520 (232,511) Marinette, Douglas, Polk, Burnett, Waupaca
1992 288,820 (177,344) Marinette, Jackson, Clark, Marathon, Waupaca
1993 217,584 (101,077) Jackson, Waupaca, Buffalo, Iowa, Sauk
1994 307,629 (172,055) Marinette, Jackson, Marathon, Clark, Sauk
1995 398,002 (226,111) Marinette, Jackson, Marathon, Clark, Sauk
1996 388,791 (250,169) Marinette, Iowa, Jackson, Marathon, Sauk
1997 292,513 (171,463) Sauk, Marathon, Waupaca, Shawano, Buffalo
1998 332,254 (180,679) Marinette, Marathon, Portage, Oneida, Jackson
1999 402,204 (242,948) Marathon, Marinette, Clark, Jackson, Waupaca
2000 528,494 (356,741) Marinette, Marathon, Clark, Bayfield, Jackson
2001 361,264 (219,322) Marinette, Marathon, Bayfield, Clark, Oneida
2002 317,888 (191,432) Marinette, Clark, Marathon, Waupaca, Shawano
2003 388,344 (240,908) Sauk, Marathon, Marinette, Bayfield, Waupaca
2004 413,794 (280,571) Marathon, Waupaca, Clark, Shawano, Bayfield
2005 387,310 (239,688) Marathon, Clark, Waupaca, Shawano, Jackson
2006 393,306 (256,028) Marathon, Clark, Jackson, Waupaca, Polk
2007 402,563 (269,432) Marathon, Clark, Polk, Waupaca, Shawano
(1) Number of quota (antlerless) deer in parenthesis included in estimated harvest; bold numbers include estimates with unknowns.
(2) Split season.
(3) First year of mandatory gun deer registration.
Friday, April 10, 2009
DNR Releases Recommended 2009 Whitetail Deer Season Map
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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
Monday, April 6, 2009
Standing up for the Conservation of Whitetail Deer
Standing up for the Conservation of Whitetail DeerWhitetail Deer hunting has become a hobby, tradition and passion for many in Wisconsin. One area of deer hunting that Wisconsin hunters are passionate about and yet take for granted is the area of conservation. Wisconsin hunters need to know that present-day deer hunting conditions are the result of the conservation efforts from those who have been passionate in the sport in the past.
It is the duty of those of us who enjoy whitetail hunting to do all that they can to insure the future of the sport. It is inevitable that hunting conditions will change with the public land shrinking, hunters using the form of bait, and the testing of different seasons from our friends at the Department of Natural resources. Although, we cannot fight the inevitable, we should attempt to preserve our hunting rights in areas which remain suitable to the deer herds. We must watch any and all legislative proposals which affect the sport, and we should support those which are beneficial and oppose those which are detrimental to hunting as we know it today. This may seem very straightforward but in light of recent debate over the Earn-A-Buck rule, there is no better time than now to be informed and vocal than now.
With states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan are considering the problem of overpopulation. DNR officials have take the correct approach and asked the hunting public to stand up and voice their opinion and that is what they plan to do. April 13 is when we will all get a chance to voice what we want to see done with the management of game animals. Get informed by listening and if you can, stand up and be heard.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Its time to vote on how we hunt
I have been recently reading handfuls of articles regarding the deer population, how we should control the population, what baiting does to the population, etc.... is it time to finally have a set of annual votes for hunters across the state of Wisconsin to vote on.
I know that time and money are not an abundant resource for the DNR nor our state leaders so I think its only fair we cast the one stone that kills both birds....no hunting pun intended.
We have heard numerous suggestions on how the 2009 Whitetail Deer Hunting Gun season will be shaped and yet we have not heard how us hunters will have a voice in the final say.
I will state this very simply, come up with your solutions, allow the Wisconsin hunters to voice their opinions, and come up with a voting system that allows hunters to dictate the future of the sport in Wisconsin.
I will continue to research how this will be done, how it has been done in the recent past and get all my readers up to speed.
To be continued....
I know that time and money are not an abundant resource for the DNR nor our state leaders so I think its only fair we cast the one stone that kills both birds....no hunting pun intended.
We have heard numerous suggestions on how the 2009 Whitetail Deer Hunting Gun season will be shaped and yet we have not heard how us hunters will have a voice in the final say.
I will state this very simply, come up with your solutions, allow the Wisconsin hunters to voice their opinions, and come up with a voting system that allows hunters to dictate the future of the sport in Wisconsin.
I will continue to research how this will be done, how it has been done in the recent past and get all my readers up to speed.
To be continued....
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