Natural Resources Board to hear deer season proposal based on public panel’s recommendations

Natural Resources Board to hear deer season proposal based on public panel’s recommendations
WI DNR

MADISON – The state Natural Resources Board will review proposed changes to deer hunting seasons based on recommendations of a public panel and consider a request by the Department of Natural Resources to hold public hearings on the proposed changes in October.

The earliest any proposed changes would take effect would be the 2010 hunting season. The proposal is based on recommendations of a public panel charged by the Natural Resources Board with developing effective and hunter-supported alternatives to the earn-a-buck program.

“My thanks go out to the members of the public panel who accomplished a great amount of work on a very tight timeline,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. “The next step is Board approval for public hearings, an important step to continue the public’s role in shaping deer management. Participation in shaping natural resource management decisions is the right of every Wisconsin citizen and a cornerstone of our conservation legacy.”

The proposal is available on the September 2009 Natural Resources Board agenda page of the DNR Web site later Tuesday, Sept. 8. In addition to hearings around the state, citizens will be able to submit comments online. DNR staff will outline the season structure proposal to the NRB and present proposed hearing locations for board approval. After a round of public hearings, the proposal will come back to the board, likely in December. Citizens may also testify before the board on the proposal at that time.

The proposal includes the public panel’s recommendation for a 16-day gun deer season starting two Saturdays before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The proposal also includes concurrent 5-day youth, early muzzleloader and herd control hunts beginning the second Saturday in October.

“Deer viewing and deer hunting represent a long standing tradition in Wisconsin,” said Frank. “Wise management is necessary to keep the herd and its habitat healthy, ensuring the future of the tradition. The public’s opinions are important and we want to continue hearing from them.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248; Keith Warnke (608) 264-6023

Hunters: stay legal and ask to hunt private lands

Hunters: stay legal and ask to hunt private lands

Source: WI DNR


Got your eye on a prime hunting spot resting on choice Wisconsin private lands for your fall hunting expedition?

That’s a solid, smart first step to a successful hunt, says the Department of Natural Resources hunter education administrator. Forgetting the next step could cost you.

“‘Where am I going to go hunting?’ is one of the most important questions you need to be asking yourself now,” Conservation Warden and Administrator Tim Lawhern says. “If you want to hunt private land, you need to be seeking permission now if you haven’t already done so.”

The state of Wisconsin owns more than 450,000 acres, and leases about 17,000 more acres, of lands open to public hunting. State and federal forests provide 2 million acres, and county forests another 2 million acres open to hunting and fishing. In addition, property owners who participate in the damage and abatement and the Forest Tax Law programs must allow access to their lands, adding more public access.

Hunters who want to use private lands need to have landowner permission to avoid trespassing, and they need to behave courteously and considerately to be invited back the next year. “It all comes down to hunter etiquette,” Lawhern said.

When hunters contact the landowner to seek permission, Lawhern urges hunters introduce themselves by telling where they’re from, what they wish to hunt, and display your hunter education certificate.

“Regardless of the landowner’s answer, your response should simple be the same – thank you,” Lawhern said.

He also suggests hunters offer to help the landowner on his or her land before the hunting season, whether it’s with daily chores, haying, or some other need. “You might be surprised how far your willingness to shovel manure for a whole day will get you,” he said

After the hunt, Lawhern says, hunters should share their game with the landowner, and remember the landowner outside the hunting season. “Give them a Christmas card, a small gift, a thank you card,” he said. “Landowners always appreciate being remembered outside the hunting season.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern (608) 266-1317 or Joanne Haas - (608) 267-0798

Deer hunters asked to send in wildlife observations from field

Deer hunters asked to send in wildlife observations from field
Source: Wisconsin DNR

Wisconsin deer hunters can assist state wildlife officials in monitoring a variety of game and non-game mammals and birds in Wisconsin by submitting their field observations through a Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey Web page.

“Since deer hunters often spend many hours in quiet observation both hunting and scouting, they’re an excellent source of information for species that can be difficult to observe,” said Brian Dhuey a Department of Natural Resources research scientist who monitors wildlife abundance and distribution across Wisconsin.

“Of equal importance and interest to wildlife managers is knowing if hunters spend time in the woods and don’t see deer or other wildlife. It’s important that all hunting efforts be recorded, even if nothing is seen, because they are an important measure of wildlife abundance in an area.”
Deer hunters interested in participating in this survey can find survey instructions and record their sightings online on the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey Web pag. The survey period begins September 12 and runs through January 2010.

DNR researchers are interested in reports from all deer hunters (archery, gun, and muzzleloader) on the number and type of animals observed while they are out hunting or scouting. Deer, raccoon, skunk, porcupine, red and gray fox, turkey, ruffed grouse, coyote, bear, otter, fisher, bobcat, house cat, badger, wolf, opossum, or other wildlife not normally seen in the area are the focus of this survey.

Wildlife managers use abundance and distribution observations with historical data to get a picture of the landscape.

“Other states including Iowa, Missouri and Ohio, have similar programs for gathering information from deer hunters and find it is a very effective way to take advantage of thousands of extra pairs of eyes in the woods,” according to Dhuey.

Hunters will be asked to report the date hunted, number of hours, where they are hunting (county and deer management unit), weather condition, types and number of deer seen, and numbers of other wildlife seen.

“There’s also a handy tally sheet that can be printed to take into the field,” adds Dhuey, “so you can record things as you see them and log them in to the online survey at a later date. Hunters can also sign-up for periodic reminders to send in their observations and to get updates of the survey results during the season.”

In a separate survey effort some hunters and landowners may also receive a mailed survey asking about hunter efforts put in during the hunting season and techniques used. Dhuey says the primary focus of the online survey is to gather observations on the range of animal species listed.

Hunters can also send in photos

Got a trail camera? Or do you carry a camera with you in the field? Wildlife biologists also are interested in photographs of rare or endangered species to help document their existence and location within the state. Pictures of moose, Canada lynx, cougar, American marten, stone marten, wolverine, Franklin’s ground squirrel, and badger are most sought after. Any picture of an animal not normally seen in the area or an unidentified animal is welcomed. Pictures can be emailed along with the approximate date, county and civil township of the photo to DNR wildlife management. DNR wildlife staff will try to positively identify all photographs submitted.
If you have any questions about the deer hunter wildlife survey, accessing the tally sheet, reporting your observation, sending in trail camera pictures of rare wildlife, or the results of the survey, please contact Brian Dhuey at (608) 221-6342.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Dhuey at (608) 221-6342

Still space in Buckhorn youth learn to hunt workshop and youth hunt

Still space in Buckhorn youth learn to hunt workshop and youth hunt

Weekly News Article Published: July 7, 2009 by the Central Office

NEECEDAH, Wis. – Space is still available for youths interested in a “Learn to Deer Hunt” workshop and special hunt that will be held at Buckhorn State Park located on the Castle Rock Flowage near Neecedah. Applications for the hunt must be received at the park by July 15.
The Buckhorn State Park Youth Deer Hunt Program includes a one-day workshop on August 22 or 23, and a hunt on Nov. 7 and 8. Previous youth hunters had quality deer hunting experiences with their chaperones, according to Joe Stecker-Kochanski, Buckhorn State Park supervisor.

To participate applicants must be age 12 but not older than 17 by Nov. 7, 2009. They must have a hunter education certificate by August 22 and must not have previously participated in a Learn to Deer Hunt program. Participants who have not previously harvested a deer with a firearm will receive preference. Applicants who have harvested a deer with a firearm can still apply, but will be selected on a drawing on July 16 if any spots remain available.

A chaperon must accompany all applicants. Applicants may select a chaperon or authorize Buckhorn Park to assign a qualified chaperon. This person will not be allowed to hunt or carry a firearm and must be at least 21 years old. The chaperon must have at least five years of hunting experience.

Applications are available on the Buckhorn Learn to Deer Hunt Web page and must be submitted by July 15. Successful applicants will be notified about July 24. Note: A student who has participated in the Sandhill youth deer hunt program is not allowed to participate in the

Buckhorn hunt and vice versa.

Successful applicants and their chaperons are required to attend a workshop in order to participate in the hunt. Chaperon must be the same person at both workshop and hunt weekend.
A deer gun hunting license is not required. A back tag will be furnished. This is a bonus deer and will not preclude the harvest of a deer during the regular season. The bag limit will be one deer of either sex. Only shotguns will be permitted; muzzleloaders and rifles are not permitted. A fee will be $25 to cover course and hunt materials.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Buckhorn State Park - (608) 565-2789
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