Strong turnout, new online survey highlight statewide deer forums

MADISON - Participation in the 2012 deer forums was significantly higher than in the previous year, with double the number of people turning out for meetings and more than 6,500 providing comments online, state wildlife officials said.

Throughout March, Department of Natural Resources wildlife staff held 36 deer forums throughout Wisconsin to listen to hunters and others interested in deer and to share current information about deer management and prospects for the 2012 season.

New this year, the public was also able to get unit-specific information and contribute feedback about their favorite deer management unit through the DNR website. While attendance at the forums was just shy of 1,200 people, more than 6,500 provided feedback through the DNR website.

“Attendance at the local meetings more than doubled this year, but the response to the online forum option has been very good, in fact it greatly exceeded our hopes,” said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist. “With three times the people taking advantage of the on-line forum it seems we’ve found a good way to accommodate people who don’t want to drive great distances, but still want to participate in some way.”
Results of both the local forums and on-line survey indicate strong public support for reduced permit numbers in the north for the 2012 deer season and DNR is listening to this feedback, Wallenfang said.
Preliminary results indicate the majority of on-line feedback came from people in northern Wisconsin, with 39 percent representing the northern forest deer management region, 21 percent southern farmland, 18 percent eastern farmland, 13 percent western farmland, and 9 percent central forest. The majority of online respondents were hunters, and most hunt deer during both the gun and archery season.

Source: Wisconsin DNR(http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_article_Lookup.asp?id=2107)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang, (608) 261-7589; Bill Cosh (608) 267-2773

Final 2011 deer harvest numbers available

Harvest and population goals discussed at ongoing deer hunter forums

MADISON – Final 2011 deer harvest numbers and statewide deer population estimates are now available in Wisconsin, and the Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters and other interested citizens to attend one of many deer forums in the state to provide comments as the department begins developing recommendations for 2012.

Hunters registered a total of 347,711 white-tailed deer in all combined deer hunting seasons in 2011, including 257,511 harvested in all gun seasons, and 90,200 harvested in the archery season.

The recently finalized harvest numbers are being shared with the public at the deer hunter forums, which continue through the end of March.

“Last year’s harvest numbers are just one piece of information that hunters provide every fall when they register a deer, and the information is used to help estimate the size of the deer population on a unit by unit basis. This information, along with the input provided by the public all help to shape the season framework proposal, and quotas, that we’ll propose to the Natural Resources Board in late April,” said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR Big Game Ecologist.
In addition to department staff being on hand to answer questions and provide information on the deer herd, the focus of these forums is to seek input from hunters and those interested in deer.
"All comments will be taken into consideration when we make decisions about the upcoming season. It is important for deer hunters to understand that population estimates are just one of the factors that go into the annual decision making process for establishing the upcoming season. Another important factor is input from the public. You can provide your observations and input at one of our remaining Deer Hunter Forums," added Wallenfang.

The harvest totals for 2011 are available on the Department of Natural Resources website and can be found by searching the keyword “deer harvest.” Harvest figures are broken down by buck or antlerless deer in each of 136 deer management units and county by deer season type.

Anyone who missed a forum in their area, still has an opportunity to participate by using the new on-line survey. Go to the DNR website and type in keywords "deer hunter forum." In its first week of use, more than 2,000 people reviewed information about their favorite deer management unit, filled out the survey, and provided written comments.

“We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on the survey option and the efforts we’ve undertaken to get the word out on the forums and the survey,” stated Wallenfang. “I want to encourage everyone interested in deer to attend a deer hunter forum to give their perspective on the 2011 season, or please fill out the survey. Our goal is to make the fall seasons enjoyable for hunters while at the same time addressing all the other factors that make deer management so challenging in Wisconsin.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang 608-261-7589 or Bill Cosh 608-264-2773

Source WI DNR - http://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_article_Lookup.asp?id=2077

Wisconsin Deer Trustee

James Kroll, also known as Dr. Deer - deer management review

Wisconsin Department of Administration has retained an expert to study Wisconsin's deer herd management practices. Learn more [PDF exit DNR]

Interim report of findings by Wisconsin white-tailed deer trustee and review committee. Review report [PDF]. Disclaimer: This is a report by an independent contractor. It does not represent the official position of the department.

Wisconsin's deer trustee to hold six town hall meetings around Wisconsin from April 16-21. Learn more

Contact James Kroll, also known as Dr. Deer
Whitetail deer trustee
PO Box 6109
SFA Station
Nacogdoches TX 75962


Source: WI  DNR - http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifeHabitat/trustee.html

Be an active participant in Wisconsin's deer management program!

Two ways to participate.

• Attend local deer forum. March 7-29, 2012.
• Participate in the deer forums from your home by reviewing DMU information and providing input through our online survey. March 7-April 3, 2012.

Source: WI DNR - http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/deer.html