Weekly News Article Published: December 20, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – Wisconsin wildlife researchers are seeking people interested in wildlife research to volunteer in assisting in the live capture of deer. This will be the second year for each of two Department of Natural Resources deer research efforts; a five year study of adult deer and a three year study of fawns.

Captured deer will be fitted with radio collars and ear tags in an effort to learn more about causes of death in deer and the impact of predators on deer populations. The projects are described in a short series of Wisconsin Public Television interviews.

Researchers also ask all hunters who may have shot a collared or ear-tagged deer during the recently completed nine-day gun deer hunt to please call in using the number on the collar or ear tag and report their harvest if they have not done so already. They’ll be asked a few questions about the details of their kill and asked to return the collars, which are valuable and can be reused on newly captured deer.

“This is important information for the study,” said Christopher Jacques, DNR research scientist, “as it will give biologists a more complete understanding of the number of deer killed by hunters compared to all other causes of death.”

Jacques says volunteers are vital to the success of this effort.

“Last year, our first year of this project, got off to a great start thanks to the more than 400 volunteers who donated their time and energy,” he says. “Capture season has already started and anyone from hunters to wildlife students to folks interested in wildlife management and research are welcome. We also hope to hear from landowners in the study areas who would consider giving us access to their property to set up traps.”

People can learn more about the projects and sign up online through the DNR website or by contacting Jacques at (608) 221-6358.

Deer will be captured using box traps, net traps and drop nets.

“Last season we also used a helicopter to capture deer from the air,” said Jacques. “This is a proven technique in many parts of the country. We found it to be difficult and stressful to the animals here in Wisconsin leading to higher than normal mortality for this technique. People we’ve talked to and worked with on this project are concerned with these deaths so we’ve decided to not use the helicopters this year and use ground capture techniques only in 2011-12. If ground capture is not successful we may need to consider helicopter capture in the future.”

Volunteers will work with researchers to remove deer from the traps, record basic information on sex and age, in some cases take blood and parasite samples, fit radio collars and ear tags and release them. If captured does are found to be pregnant, they will be fitted with implant transmitters that will signal when fawns are born in the spring. New born fawns will be located at the time of birth and fitted with radio collars.

Collars emit a mortality signal at the time of death so researchers can locate and attempt to determine the animal’s cause of death whether it’s from hunters, environment, disease, vehicles, predators or other causes. The information will be used to fine tune population estimating techniques.

There are two study areas. One in northwest Wisconsin in the vicinity of Winter in Sawyer County and an east central area mostly in Shawano County.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Jacques – (608) 221-6358

Weekly News Article Published: November 29, 2011 by the Central Office

No hunting fatalities recorded for second consecutive year

MADISON – A call around survey of 600-plus deer registration stations all across Wisconsin completed today shows a preliminary harvest total of 226,260 for the just completed nine-day gun deer hunting season, up 3.6 percent from 2010. At the same time, hunters posted the second all around safest season on record.

The nine-day harvest numbers are preliminary and are expected to change before a final report is published in late winter. The total does not include harvest information from the archery, October antlerless gun deer hunt, muzzleloader, December antlerless deer gun hunt or late archery seasons. The preliminary nine-day gun harvest count in 2010 was 218,144 and in 2009 was 201,994.

“Overall participation was good. We had a 3.6 percent increase in deer harvested compared to 2010 and the reports that we’ve been getting in from the field are that in many parts of the state hunters saw more deer,” stated Tom Hauge, wildlife director for the state Department of Natural Resources. “That said, we do know that not everyone got a deer this year, or saw a deer. The herd in parts of the state is still rebounding and that even within counties with higher harvests, deer aren’t distributed evenly.”

A table of county by county harvest (pdf) broken down by DNR region, with a comparison to the 2010 preliminary harvest is available on the DNR Web site.

The preliminary tally showed hunters harvested 102,837 bucks and 123,423 antlerless. This compared to 2010 preliminary harvest figures of 102,121 bucks and 116,160 antlerless.

“Harvests suggest that deer herds are increasing in some of the units where deer numbers were previously below goal," Hauge said. "We also saw an increase in buck harvest in the CWD zone with the new provision this year allowing hunters to shoot a buck first before having to go to earn-a-buck rules for a second buck in the zone. This was a popular change among hunters I’ve heard from.”

“As far as hunting conditions and deer observations, we will be interested in seeing the data hunters provided on their registration stubs,” added Hauge. “We know broadly what weather conditions were like, but data from individual hunters in the field provides a much more personal and localized perspective. We will summarize these finding along with the harvest totals in February.”

In February, DNR biologists will use unit-level harvest numbers to develop overwinter population estimates and will propose season structures for 2012 in March.

Deer hunt wrap up

The books have closed on Wisconsin's 160th gun deer hunt but the season's memories and tales will live for years to come. Over the past nine days the DNR Facebook page received dozens of pictures of happy hunters and some pretty impressive deer. Visitors to the page can view the photos share them with you along with a You Tube video that highlight’s Wisconsin Hunters sharing their stories.

People can join the conversation by visiting the DNR on Facebook at Facebook.com/widnr.

Late seasons now open

There are still days to hunt in 2011. The muzzleloader hunt is already underway through Dec. 7 for hunters holding unused gun buck and antlerless deer tags. There is also a statewide antlerless deer hunt Dec. 8-11.

“We could use some extra help in the CWD zones and Herd Control Units, so we want to encourage hunters to take advantage of our remaining seasons,” said Hauge. “Consider taking an extra deer for the freezer or for the deer donation program to help those in need of the meat.”

Hunters are reminded that the antlerless deer hunt Dec. 8-11 in regular units is open only to hunters with a valid antlerless deer tag for the unit in which they are hunting. Regular unit antlerless tags are still available for many units at $12 each. In herd control units, hunters can purchase as many $2 antlerless tags as they wish.

The Holiday Hunt in CWD zones in south central Wisconsin that starts Dec. 24 and lasts until Jan. 8, 2011.

Hunters asked to participate in online Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey

The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey is still active until the end of all deer seasons and wildlife managers are asking hunters to send in a report of what they saw during the just completed 9-day gun hunt and during any hunting trips they make through the end of all deer hunting seasons. This data helps to provide valuable data biologists can use to help provide an additional human element to the completed deer season.

Third fatality free season on record

“Hunters can be proud of a second consecutive firearm-related, fatality-free year and the third fatality free season on record,” said Tim Lawhern, Law Enforcement Administrator. “This is an important milestone and one we hope to see again and again in future seasons.”

Lots of hunting left, many antlerless deer permits available, consider donating venison

Weekly News Article Published: November 22, 2011 by the Central Office

“What a great opening weekend!” Kurt Thiede, DNR administrator

MADISON – “’Trophy’ can mean different things to different people; whether it’s the buck of a lifetime, a young buck, a first deer or an antlerless deer,” said Kurt Thiede, Department of Natural Resources administrator of the wildlife management program. “The important thing is that folks participated this past weekend and many were successful…that is what will keep our hunting tradition strong in this state.”

With another five days left in the popular gun deer season that includes what is a long Thanksgiving weekend for many people, there is a lot of hunting opportunity left according to Thiede. The traditional nine-day gun hunt runs through Sunday Nov. 27.

“If you hunt in an area where you saw a lot of antlerless deer on opening weekend, which may be in the chronic wasting disease management zone or in a herd control unit and you have an antlerless tag available, please consider filling that tag,” says Thiede. “Many units still have antlerless tags available and they can be purchased from our license vendors. In addition to the rest of this regular deer gun season, we also have the four-day early December antlerless gun hunt, the 10-day muzzleloader hunt, the late archery season, and in the CWD zones - the Holiday hunt. Food pantries are looking for donations.”

Thiede encourages hunters to donate deer to the state’s venison donation program. Early donations are running slower than in past years – perhaps because of having no earn-a-buck this year -- but demand is strong for the high quality food. Wisconsin meat processors and civic groups all across Wisconsin participate in the program. There is no cost to hunters other than transporting a deer carcass to a registration station and then to a participating processor.

“Your harvest can be donated to help feed the hungry or, it could mean a little extra free range and lean meat for your freezer, or maybe some always popular venison sausage,” says Thiede. “Also, it truly helps keep our valuable deer herd in balance and healthy.

Jerry Stoddard, owner of Stoddard Country Grove Market in Cottage Grove, and Dick Dickman, owner of Dick’s Quality Meats in Mt. Horeb, participate in the pantry donation program which provides venison to local food pantries.

“In the past, people have been really good about donating,” Dickman said. This fall, Dickman said that the number of deer being brought to his market during archery season have been good. “They’re out there,” said Dickman. “And they’re all big deer.”

Once the venison is processed, community groups assist in distributing the packages of ground venison to food pantries

Michelle Friedrich with the Southwest Community Action Partnership (SWCAP) in Dodgeville and the Target Hunger point person stresses the need for deer donation. “Being able to provide venison to needy families helps to fill a very real need,” she said. “When we have venison, it flies out the door.” Last year, Target Hunger received more than 58,000 pounds of venison from 1,300 donated deer. Their goal is to reach 2,000 deer donations this season.

A list of participating processors is available online. Hunters are encouraged to call ahead to check business hours and if the processor has space available.

Pantry donation locations within the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone (CWD-MZ) will also sample and register deer. The DNR recommends that hunters who wish to donate a deer that was harvested in the CWD-MZ take it to a processor who operates within the CWD-MZ as well.

“We skin them, bone them and freeze them in crates with the registration tags,” says Stoddard of a testing process that determines if the deer has CWD. If the test is negative the meat is ground into hamburger for distribution or if positive it is disposed of in an approved manner.

“It’s a great program and food pantries really, really appreciate it,” says Dickman who gives all of his donated venison to SWCAP. “It’s all being done right,” he adds.

“With the big opening day behind us, and as we look ahead to the rest of the fall and winter, please consider taking to the field with family and friends to extend the tradition a while longer,” says Thiede. “So as this deer season rolls on I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and of course….Go Packers, Go Badgers, and Go Hunting!”

Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey – Share Your Observations

The 2011 gun deer season opener is just days away! Please consider helping the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by reporting your deer hunting activity, even if no deer or other wildlife were seen during your hunting trip(s). This survey provides wildlife managers with information on deer sighting rates and the relative abundance of deer and other wildlife in the state.

To enter your observations, click here. Have an enjoyable and successful hunt!

Preliminary Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey Results

September 17-November 14

A total of 575 Wisconsin deer hunters have reported 2,365 hunting trips via the online survey. 192 individuals have also supplied an email address to have a summary of their observations e-mailed to them at the end of the survey period.

Trips were reported from 71 of 72 counties in the state, and in 113 of 139 deer management units. DMU 64 has the greatest number of observations (109), followed by DMU 53 with 100 observations. Hunters reported spending 8,889 observation hours in the field, and averaged 3.8 hours per trip. Most trips and observation hours occurred in the Southern Farmland followed by the Northern Forest, the Eastern Farmland, the Western Farmland and lastly the Central Forest region.

Deer hunters have reported 1,154 bucks, 1,721 does, 1,193 fawns, and 458 unknowns. Statewide, hunters averaged 0.51 deer seen per hour. Deer seen per hour varied between regions with the high being the Eastern Farmland averaging 0.61 deer per hour and the low being the Central Forest averaging 0.30 deer per hour. The Western Farmland and the Southern Farmland both reported 0.57 deer per hour. Hunters in the Northern Forest saw 0.42 deer per hour.

The most frequently observed species other than deer were turkeys. Hunter sightings varied greatly by regions, with most sightings occurring in Wisconsin’s primary turkey range, the farmland and central forest regions. The next most frequently seen animal was ruffed grouse.

Please continue to enter your observations by clicking here.

Questions about the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey, accessing the tally sheet, reporting your observation, or the results of the survey, can be referred to Brian Dhuey or Jes Rees.

Weekly News Article Published: October 18, 2011 by the Central Office

Wisconsin wildlife researchers ask for basic, valuable information in return

MADISON -- Wildlife researchers are looking for assistance from Wisconsin hunters who may harvest any of the more than 335 white-tailed deer marked with ear tags and radio-collars during the archery and gun-deer seasons.

The researches say hunters’ help may play a role in how Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer herd is managed for generations to come. That’s a big impact for help that may take each hunter who harvests a marked deer only a few minutes to provide.

“These deer were marked back in January as part of a study to better understand how long deer live and how they die,” said Chris Jacques, a research scientist with the Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Science Services. “Hunters are free to harvest these marked deer. And if they do, we would like some basic information that shouldn’t take more than a minute to provide.”

The requested information about marked deer include:

• ear tag or radio collar number;
• how, when and where the animal died or was harvested; and,
• the hunter’s phone number, complete with area code.

Hunters are being asked to call Jacques at (608) 221-6358 to report this information.

Jacques and his colleagues marked the deer in the northern counties of Rusk, Sawyer and Price, and the east central counties of Shawano, Waupaca and Outagamie 10 months ago as part of the buck mortality study sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stevens Point campuses, the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Wildlife Restoration, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Applied Population Laboratory, Menn Law Firm, and private donations from Wisconsin citizens.

“To date, we have not heard from any hunters who may have harvested a tagged deer,” Jacques said. “I do want to stress that you should treat these deer like any other you might see. They may be harvested, but the information that hunters provide is important to the future of our deer herd.”

Jacques says researchers are monitoring weekly survival status of radio-collared deer across east central Wisconsin, including 42 adult males, 32 adult females, and 33 fawns. In the northern counties, researchers are monitoring the survival status of 44 adult males, 30 adult females, and 11 fawns.

While the DNR uses a deer population modeling system built upon sound science and data, Jacques says challenges remain.

“Years ago, the presence of predators of deer wasn’t an unusual issue. However, that’s changed today as predator populations across Wisconsin are expanding and deer are sought by more than just the orange-clad hunters,” Jacques says. “Not only is this a wildlife issue, it is an economic issue – Wisconsin’s tourism relies upon its healthy and abundant natural resources. Deer hunting season is part of that tourism industry, not to mention the heritage of the state. Our deer hunters have expressed concerns about the impact that predation may be having on deer population growth and recruitment rates across the state– they can be rest assured that the department is listening to their concerns and trying to better understand predation impacts with our ongoing collaborative research.”

And this is where the hunters come in, Jacques says.

“There is no way we will be successful in our deer herd management without the hunters’ participation,” Jacques says. “And the research partners who make it possible for us to increase our ability to gather this key information.”

Weekly News Article Published: October 4, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – In a return to a more traditional statewide deer season structure, only deer management units in the chronic wasting disease management zone (CWD-MZ) will have a four-day October antlerless deer only gun hunt in 2011.

The Oct 13-16 antlerless deer only gun hunt will take place in the following CWD deer management units: 54B-CWD, 70-CWD, 70A-CWD, 70B-CWD, 70E-CWD, 70G-CWD, 71-CWD, 73B-CWD, 73E-CWD, 75A-CWD, 75C-CWD, 75D-CWD, 76-CWD, 76A-CWD, 76M-CWD, 77A-CWD, 77B-CWD, and 77C-CWD.

State park CWD management zone units 70C-CWD, 70D-CWD, 70F-CWD, 75B-CWD require special access permits and have different hunting hours. Hunters should contact individual parks for permits, maps and instructions. Additional information on state park CWD management zone hunting seasons can be found on pg. 46 of the 2011 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations.

For complete rules and regulations involving this hunt consult the 2011 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations which is available in hard copy from license sales agents or online.

“Hunters in the CWD management zone and elsewhere are likely noticing billboards, television and print adds with a new slogan,” said Tami Ryan, of the DNR’s wildlife health unit.

“‘Hunt, Harvest, Help’ is something all hunters can participate in but it is especially relevant to the CWD zone. ‘Hunting’ is the fun part; it’s the family and friends and time in nature that brought many of us to this pastime as youngsters. ‘Harvest’ is for yourself and your family and friends but also for others; consider providing additional deer to the needy through the venison donation program. Finally, there is ‘Help’. Helping others by providing high quality food is one way but hunting also is the most effective, efficient and best wildlife management activity available. Consider your role as a hunter and what you can do to help contain CWD and prevent its spread to new areas.”

For more information see the Hunt, Harvest, Help (exit DNR) website.

The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey will go live online beginning September 17, the opening day of the 2011 deer season. This will be the third year of the survey which asks deer hunters to report their field observations of a variety of wildlife species, hunting conditions and hours spent pursuing game. Deer hunters’ efforts have produced valuable information for estimating abundance and distribution of many of Wisconsin’s wildlife species. Results of previous years are available online.

The past two years, Wisconsin deer hunters have reported a total of 30,000 hunting trips encompassing 176,000 hunting hours. Trips have been reported from all 72 counties in both years. Statewide, deer hunters averaged seeing 0.28 deer per hunting hour in 2010. Deer seen per hour varied between regions with the high being the Western Farmland averaging 0.45 deer per hour and the low being the Central Forest averaging 0.18 deer per hour. The most frequently observed species other than deer were turkeys.

Hunters can find survey instructions, record sightings, and view survey results online at the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey webpage. A tally sheet is also available for times when hunters do not have access to the internet or a computer. Hunters should record all of their hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if no wildlife sightings were made. The survey period begins September 17 and runs through January 2012.

For more information contact: Jes Rees (608) 221-6360.

Weekly News Article Published: September 13, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – State wildlife officials are again asking Wisconsin deer hunters to report what they are seeing or not seeing while they are out pursuing deer.

Coinciding with the start of the archery deer season, the Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey goes live online beginning September 17, the opening day of the 2011 deer season. This will be the third year of the survey which asks deer hunters to report their field observations of a variety of wildlife species, hunting conditions and hours spent pursuing game.

“Deer hunters’ efforts have produced valuable information for estimating abundance and distribution of many of Wisconsin’s wildlife species” said Jes Rees, Department of Natural Resources wildlife survey technician. Results of previous years are available online.

“We ask that all deer hunters consider participating in this survey effort. All they need to do is record the date, number of hours, county, deer management unit, weather conditions and the type and number of animals observed during each day of deer hunting,” says Rees. “Hunters can also enter their email address along with their observations and I will send them an email summary of their hunting activity at the end of the survey period.”

Hunters can find survey instructions, record sightings, and view survey results online at the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey webpage. A tally sheet is also available for times when hunters do not have access to the internet or a computer. Hunters should record all of their hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if no wildlife sightings were made. The survey period begins September 17 and runs through January 2012.

The Hunter Wildlife Survey overlaps another citizen-participation survey currently underway. Operation Deer Watch started Aug 1 and runs through Sept. 30. The primary objective of Operation Deer Watch is to determine trends in deer reproductive success by reporting does and fawns seen together during the late summer and early fall.

Trail Camera Photos Wanted

The Wildlife Surveys group is also interested in photographs of rare or endangered species hunters may have captured on their trail cameras. Photos can be emailed to Wildlife Management. shawn.rossler@wisconsin.gov This information will help document their existence and location within the state. Trail camera photos can be viewed in our online trail camera gallery (exit DNR).

Questions about the Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey, accessing the tally sheet, reporting your observation, or the results of the survey, can be referred to Jes Rees at (608) 221-6360.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jes Rees at (608) 221-6360

You are subscribed to White-Tailed Deer for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Earlier this year, the Natural Resources Board approved several new rules pertaining to the current license year hunting seasons. These rules were not immediately in place because they needed to undergo a legislative review process. This process is now complete for these rules, and they will be in effect starting this fall. These changes are not reflected in the printed version of the hunting regulations, but will be updated in the online versions of the regulation booklets in the near future.

These new rules are:

1. Rifles will be allowed in Waupaca County for the 9-day firearm deer season.
2. The fall turkey hunting season will be extended for turkey zones 1-5. Turkey hunting will be allowed from November 28 – December 31. This late season has occurred for the past two years during a trial period, but is now a permanent season that will occur annually.
3. The archery deer season will now be open concurrently with the 9-day firearm deer season. In 2011, the early archery season will run from September 17 – November 17 and the late archery season will run from November 19 – January 8, 2012. Bow hunters will be required to comply with the blaze orange clothing requirement any time a firearm deer season is occurring in the area of the state where they are hunting.
4. Each period of the spring turkey season will be extended by two days. The dates for each period during the 2012 season are as follows:
   1. Period A April 11-17
   2. Period B April 18-24
   3. Period C April 25- May 1
   4. Period D May 2-8
   5. Period E May 9-15
   6. Period F May 16-22

Weekly News Article Published: September 6, 2011 by the Central Office

EAU CLAIRE – The 2011 Wisconsin’s archery deer hunt that opens September 17 will be the longest bow deer hunt in state history.

For the first time, bow hunting will be allowed during the regular nine-day gun deer hunt in November. As before, there will be no deer hunting on the Friday preceding the gun deer hunt. This single day will now separate the early and late bow deer seasons.

The 2011 archery deer season runs from Saturday, Sept. 17, through Thursday, Nov. 17 and then from Saturday, Nov. 19, the start of the gun season, through Jan. 8, a Sunday.

During the gun deer season, bow hunters will be required to follow the same blaze orange clothing regulations as gun hunters.

Another piece of welcome news this year for many bow hunters is the absence of any October gun deer hunts outside the Chronic Wasting Disease management zone in south central Wisconsin. The four-day, antlerless only gun deer hunt occurs Oct. 13-16 this year in the disease management zone.

With warm temperatures and insect activity in mid September, many archers are less enthusiastic about opening day and the season begins with much less fanfare than the annual gun deer hunt. But as summer fades into fall, the number of bow hunters in the field will grow dramatically.

In 1966 about 85,000 licensed archery hunters took just under 6,000 deer. In 2010, the number of bow hunters had swelled to 260,000, and they harvested 87,000 deer, 36 percent as many deer as taken by gun hunters in the previous year. The 2010 bow buck harvest was the third highest on record. Pope and Young record book entries show Wisconsin as the leading stat for large-antlered whitetails.

Other changes of interest to bow hunters this year:

• Most hunters are not allowed to hunt antlerless deer in eight regular, buck-only deer management units, primarily in northern and northeast Wisconsin. Archery and gun antlerless deer carcass tags are not valid in units 3, 7, 29B, 34, 35, 39, 44 and 45. No bonus antlerless tags will be available in these units. There are exceptions, explained in the regulations, for members of the Armed Forces, for the holders of certain disabled hunter permits and for youths ages 10-17.
• In the CWD-MZ, the Earn-A-Buck requirements do not apply when using a Gun Buck Deer Carcass Tag or when using an Archery Buck Deer Carcass Tag. All other buck deer harvest in the CWD-MZ and tagged with any other tag must follow EAB rules.
• Beginning in 2011, all youth ages 10-17 will automatically be issued a free antlerless deer carcass tag when they purchase a gun deer license. This tag is valid for one antlerless deer in any DMU during any open deer season with the appropriate license and corresponding weapon. This tag is issued along with the youth’s gun deer license through any license agent, and may also be filled in any DMU statewide during the archery season with legal archery gear if the person also holds a valid archery license. Antlerless deer carcass tags are no longer issued to now Hunter Education Class graduates.
• Whole deer carcasses and certain parts of those carcasses may be transported outside of the CWD-MZ and its adjacent DMUs if the carcass or parts are transported to a licensed taxidermist or licensed meat processor within 72 hours of registration.
• The DNR will mail a 2011 Buck Authorization Sticker to hunters who harvest a CWD-positive buck. If you harvested a CWD-positive buck last year and did not receive a 2010-2011 Buck Authorization Sticker in the mail, please notify the DNR at 1-888-WDNR-INFO.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Hirchert (608) 264-6023

Hunt. Harvest. Help. New CWD website launched

Weekly News Article Published: August 16, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – Hunters and landowners can learn more about what they can do to maintain a healthy deer herd and Wisconsin’s strong hunting traditions through a new website dedicated to sharing information on Chronic Wasting Disease.

The website, www.knowcwd.com, carries the theme of “Hunt. Harvest. Help” and features racing champion Matt Kenseth, a deer hunter and Cambridge, Wis., native, in a public service announcement talking about the importance of teamwork in tackling CWD.

"As a deer hunter, I'm concerned about CWD," Kenseth says in a video public service announcement on the website. "But it's going to take more than one person to slow the spread of CWD…It's a team effort Wisconsin. So get out there and hunt, harvest and help."

Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials say the website was developed to share information on how CWD is spread, where the disease exists in the Wisconsin deer population and what other states with CWD are doing about it. There also is information about human health risks. Several additional tabs on the website direct visitors to information on how individuals can help, frequently asked questions and videos.

The website also links to important CWD management information including Wisconsin’s CWD Response Plan and current and past CWD research and statistics.

“CWD has the potential for significant, negative impacts on the future of deer and deer hunting anywhere it exists,” said Davin Lopez, DNR’s CWD coordinator. “Minimizing the area of Wisconsin where the disease occurs is the responsible thing to do. Wisconsin’s current CWD policy is containment, rather than elimination of the disease. Hunter and landowner participation is key to this effort.

Beginning the week of Aug. 15 TV viewers in the CWD management zone will see CWD public service announcements featuring Kenseth. Also the "Hunt. Harvest. Help." theme will appear on billboards, in print ads and in other online sources.

The website and materials were developed with the aid of a U.S. Department of Agriculture/Veterinary Services grant and a private sector communications firm.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Davin Lopez (608)267-2948

Bonus antlerless deer tags and state park deer hunting permits available August 20

Weekly News Article Published: August 9, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – Bonus antlerless deer carcass tags for regular deer management units, and hunting access permits for all state park deer management units go on sale beginning at noon Saturday, August 20. Tags and permits will be sold at the rate of one per person per day, and will continue until sold out or until the hunting season ends.

A list of units and number of tags available is on the DNR website.

The structure of the sale of bonus tags is new for 2011. All units with bonus tags available will go on sale Saturday. In previous years sales have been staggered over the weekend based on whether a deer management unit had an even or odd number.

Tags and permits will be available for purchase through the DNR Online Licensing Center, at DNR licensing sales locations, or by phone toll free at 1 (877) 945-4236.

Deer hunters are encouraged to check the 2011 deer management unit designations map or in the 2011 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations booklet for the units they plan to hunt in this fall.

In 2011, 30 regular deer management units (DMU) will have bonus antlerless carcass tags available. To shoot an antlerless deer in these 30 units hunters must purchase a unit-specific $12 adult resident antlerless deer carcass tag ($5 for 10-11 year olds and $20 for adult nonresident).

Eight regular DMUs are designated as buck only to encourage herd growth. In these eight units some exceptions may apply to qualified members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are home on furlough or leave, Class A and C disabled permit hunters and youth ages 10 through 17 who have an unused statewide antlerless deer carcass tag. For more details, see the 2011 Deer Hunting Regulations booklet.

Every gun and archery deer hunting license will include an antlerless carcass tag valid for units designated as Herd Control or Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD units have unlimited earn-a-buck (EAB) rules.

If hunters are planning to hunt in any of the 12 state parks that require access permits for deer hunting, they should plan accordingly, as many units will sell out quickly. Those interested in hunting these properties should first check the 2011 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations or the Hunting Opportunities web page to learn about weapon restrictions and season dates. Some state parks that allow deer hunting may not require access permits, but may have different season dates.

Purchasing a deer hunting license before August 20 can speed up the permit purchasing process, since hunters must obtain a deer hunting license before they can purchase a bonus antlerless tag or state park access permit. Hunters can check for tag or access permit availability on the DNR website. Tag and permit availability are updated regularly. Units with relatively low numbers of available tags can be expected to sell out quickly. Units with a high number of tags available generally last longer or may not sell out.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Dan Hirchert, DNR Wildlife Biologist, (608) 264-6023

In 2010 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources launched Operation Deer Watch, a new summer deer observation effort involving outdoor enthusiasts and hunters. The department is interested in sightings of bucks, does, and fawns. The number of deer seen and the number of fawns seen with each doe are indicators of annual deer herd production. Data from Operation Deer Watch will be used with DNR observations to help determine the fawn-to-doe ratio. The vast amount of observation data that citizens can provide will help the Department of Natural Resources effectively and accurately monitor Wisconsin’s deer reproduction.

The survey period begins August 1^st and continues until September 30^th 2011. To participate in the survey, go to the DNR Operation Deer Watch webpage. Once on the webpage, watch the video survey instructions and then click on the link to the survey to record your sightings. A tally sheethas been provided to record information about your deer observations for when you do not have access to a computer. It is important that all information be filled out for each observation. A report summarizing the results of your 2011 deer observations will be produced at the end of the survey period and sent to all individuals who enter their email address on every observation form.

Questions about Operation Deer Watch, accessing the tally sheet, reporting your observation, or the results of the survey, can be referred to Brian Dhuey at (608) 221-6342 or Jes Rees at (608) 221-6360.

Weekly News Article Published: July 26, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – Wildlife researchers are asking hunters and wildlife watchers to continue sending in summer deer observations during August and September.

In 2010, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources launched Operation Deer Watch, a new summer deer observation effort involving outdoor enthusiasts and hunters. Summer deer observations have been part of DNR deer management program for more than 50 years but until last season only staff observations and those of other resource and law enforcement professionals were recorded.

The number of deer seen with and without fawns are indicators of annual deer herd production. Data from Operation Deer Watch will be used with DNR observations to help determine the fawn-to-doe ratio. The vast amount of observation data that citizens can provide will help the wildlife biologists effectively and accurately monitor Wisconsin’s deer reproduction.

“We ask that you continue to participate in this important survey by taking the time to document information about your summer deer observations,” said Brian Dhuey, DNR wildlife surveys researcher. “The results from Operation Deer Watch become more meaningful as we gather many years of summer deer observations and can monitor production trends.”

The department is interested in sightings of bucks, does and fawns. Last summer, Operation Deer Watch generated more than 4,000 observations. A total of 9,662 deer were observed by 1,378 individual observers during August and September 2010. The statewide estimate for the 2010 fawn-to-doe ratio using Operation Deer Watch data was 89 fawns per 100 does.

To participate in the survey, go to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website and keyword search “operation deer watch.” Once on the web page, watch the video survey instructions and then click on the link to the survey to record your sightings. A tally sheet (pdf) is available to record information about deer observations when people do not have access to computers.

Dhuey says it is important that all information be filled out for each observation.

“Please ensure that the date, deer management unit, and the type and number of deer observed are recorded, without this information the data are of little value,” he says.

The survey period begins August 1 and continues until Sept. 30. A report summarizing the results of your 2011 deer observations will be produced at the end of the survey period and sent to all individuals who enter their email address on every observation form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Dhuey at (608) 221-6342 or Jes Rees at (608) 221-6360

Sponsor sign-up period open for Disabled Deer Hunts

Weekly News Article Published: May 24, 2011 by the Central Office

Hunt set for Oct. 1 – 9, 2011

MADISON – Landowners interested in sponsoring a deer hunt for disabled hunters are reminded of the June 1 deadline for applications. In 2011, the disabled hunt will take place October 1-9.

Sponsor applications are available on Disabled Deer Hunting page of the Department of Natural Resources website and must be submitted to your local wildlife manager by June 1. A list of approved sponsors will be posted on the DNR website by July 1. Disabled hunters interested in participating in one of these hunts should contact sponsors directly to make arrangements. Sponsors are required to submit a list of participating hunters to DNR by September 1.

Hunters must possess a valid Class A Permit, a Class B Permit for People with Disabilities issued for more than one year and that authorizes shooting from a vehicle, or a Class C Disabled Hunting Permit to be eligible to participate in the Disabled Deer Hunt.

The DNR’s gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities was started in 1990 to give disabled hunters an opportunity to hunt deer at a time of year when temperatures are generally milder and mobility is less of a problem. The hunts are sponsored by private individuals or organizations and almost entirely take place on privately owned lands.

Interest in the program continues to grow. In 2010, there were over 100 participating sponsors enrolled and over 62,000 acres available for the hunt.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Olver - (608) 261-7588

Locating new fawns is next step in deer research project; volunteers needed

Weekly News Article Published: May 10, 2011 by the Central Office

Locating new fawns is next step in deer research project; volunteers needed

MADISON – Dozens of volunteers assisted state wildlife researchers in capturing and placing radio-collars on 204 deer in February and March. Now the call is going out again for volunteers to help locate fawns born to does that were fitted with implant radio transmitters designed to signal when fawns have been born in late May and early June.

“With the whitetail birthing season coming up fast, volunteers are again needed to sweep the woods looking for the newborns,” said Chris Jacques, Department of Natural Resources research scientist. “When located, fawns will be fitted with expandable radio collars so we can follow them through their first year of life to determine causes of death whether it be due to nutrition, environment, vehicle, hunters or predators. This is real hands-on field research.”

Some hunters have questioned assumptions about fawn recruitment used by wildlife biologists for estimating deer populations. Recruitment is the net addition of new individuals (fawns) to a population each year and is an important input in estimating deer population numbers. At the end of this three-year effort to monitor fawns, researchers hope to fine tune their inputs based on real-world data collected in this research effort.

Volunteers will be assigned to search teams working in the vicinity of Shiocton in Shawano County and Winter in Sawyer County. When transmitters have been expelled (presumably when a fawn has been born), a search team will form a line and comb the woods, somewhat similar to a deer drive, in search of bedded fawns. Newborns will be quickly fitted with a radio collar of their own and left for the doe to raise normally.

If the fawn dies, the collar will emit a unique signal that researchers will again use to locate the animal to determine cause of death. The collars are designed to expand as the deer grows and eventually drop off as the animal approaches its first birthday.

“Determining causes of death in fawns is vital to the accuracy of our deer population estimates,” said Jacques. “Of special interest is the impact of predators on fawn deaths. We have a suite of predators in Wisconsin that we suspect impact yearly fawn production, including black bear, bobcat, coyote and gray wolves. What we are less certain of are the relative roles that each of those predators plays on fawn recruitment over the course of an entire year.”

He stresses this work is possible only with the assistance of dozens of volunteers representing hunting groups such as the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Safari Club International and Whitetails Unlimited, the University of Wisconsin- Madison and UW-Stevens Point, the AFL-CIO Union Sportsmans Alliance, and hundreds of Wisconsin citizens.

“Anyone who has looked for newborn fawns or been startled to discover a fawn lying motionless in the forest or field next to them knows what a challenge it is to find them,” says Jacques. “They have excellent natural camouflage and instinct to remain absolutely still when approached. The transmitters will give us a better idea of where they are but it will still take time on the ground to locate them.”

For more information and to sign up as a volunteer go to the Deer Research page of the DNR website.

2011 Annual Spring Fish & Wildlife Rule Hearing Results

News Release Published: April 13, 2011

Contact(s): Kari Lee-Zimmermann, DNR (608) 266-0580

MADISON – A total of 5,574 people attended the 2011 Spring Fisheries and Wildlife Rules Hearings and Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings that were held in every county statewide on Monday, April 11. The hearings provide citizens with an opportunity to comment and provide their input on proposed fish and wildlife rule changes, Conservation Congress advisory questions, and to submit resolutions for rule changes they would like to see in the future.

Statewide hearing results and the questions are available on the Spring Rules Hearings page of the DNR Web site. The results will be presented to the state Natural Resources Board in May.

Hearing results, along with written comments on proposed rules, and DNR recommendations are used to advise the state Natural Resources Board. This year’s results will be reviewed at the board’s May 25 meeting in Madison. Votes are non-binding and are presented to the Natural Resources Board to reflect public sentiment on proposed DNR rule changes.

DNR fish and wildlife managers will spend the next several weeks analyzing the vote tallies and developing recommendations they will present to the board in May.

The hearings are held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress county meetings. DNR related proposals are presented to attendees by DNR staff. Following DNR business, the meeting is reconvened as a Conservation Congress meeting and congress advisory questions are presented and county congress delegates elected. The congress is an advisory body to the Natural Resources Board. During the congress’ portion of the hearing, citizens may introduce resolutions for consideration and vote by those attending the hearings.

MADISON – The Department of Natural Resources will request permission from the Natural Resources Boardto purchase a CWD-infected Portage County farm known as the Hall Farm to protect wild deer in the area from chronic wasting disease.

The board meets March 23 in Madison. Citizens interested in testifying before the board on this matter must register with the Natural Resources Board Liaison, Laurie Ross, (608) 267-7420 Laurie.Ross@wisconsin.gov  by 4:00 p.m. Friday Mar. 18.

 Stan Hall operated but was not the owner of the farm.  He operated the property as a whitetail deer farm until 2006 at which time it was closed down due to an outbreak of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Chronic wasting disease was first found in a deer harvested from the farm in 2002. Discovery of additional CWD positive deer followed. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture depopulated the farm’s deer herd in an agreement reached with the owner. At the time of depopulation, 60 of 76 animals euthanized tested positive for the fatal disease. In all, 80 CWD-positive animals were removed from the farm.

“To our knowledge this was the most heavily infected herd found anywhere in North America with 80% of the animals infected,” said Kurt Thiede, land administrator for DNR. “Science tells us CWD prions can survive for years in the soil and that healthy deer can become infected by contacting those prions. We believe that there is an unacceptable potential risk of wild deer being exposed to CWD-causing prions should the current fencing be damaged or removed. Purchasing this property is the best assurance we can give that deer-proof fences are maintained and the wild herd protected.”

The department’s recently adopted Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan 2010-2025 sets a goal to “minimize the area of Wisconsin where CWD occurs and the number of infected deer in the state.”

Since 2002, 1,200 Portage County wild deer have been tested for CWD with no positives.

With the current management agreement between the owner and the USDA due to expire in May 2011, DNR wildlife officials feel the only way the public can be assured the fences will be maintained is by purchasing the property. Stewardship funds will be used to purchase the property from Patricia Casey for $465,000. The department intends to allow access to the property for research purposes only.

Nature based outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, cross country skiing and hiking would be prohibited as part of the purchase approval. The primary purpose for this purchase is to create a permanent enclosure so that no wild deer may enter the property by any means and to ensure that no soil or sediments are removed from the property and transported to other locations unless authorized by the department, according to DNR officials. Additionally, DNR hopes to use the property to conduct research. 

The department has determined that it is necessary to prohibit all public access to this site to accommodate the primary purpose.  The authority to use this property as a place to conduct research and wildlife management is granted to the Department generally in s. 23.09 (2) Stats., and more specifically in s. 23.09 (2) (d) (15) and s. 23.09 (2) (k) Stats. 

Full details on this action are available online at the DNR webpage, dnr.wi.gov. Select Natural Resources Board followed by Meeting Agendas and Materials

Written comments regarding this proposal and requests for additional information may be submitted to the attention of Richard Steffes, Bureau of Facilities and Lands, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, WI 53707-7921.  Ph (608) 266-0201. Comments will be received through March 30, 2011.

 “Wisconsin’s whitetailed deer herd is one of our state’s most valuable natural resources providing recreational and economic value and is a foundation of family traditions,” said Thiede. “Sportsmen and women rely on us to protect the wild herd. We feel this action is necessary to do that.”

Deer captures to continue through March

Weekly News Article Published: March 1, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – Wisconsin deer researchers have succeeded in capturing a total of 187 deer in two study areas as part of a multi-year effort designed to answer concerns hunters have voiced over population estimates that in part determine deer hunting season structure. Capture efforts are expected to continue through March 2011.

Spread across two study areas, one centered around Sawyer County representing a northern forest habitat, and one centered in Shawano County representing a farmland-forest habitat, the studies will take the closest look yet at the actual percentage of deer dying at the hands of hunters compared to all other causes of death from vehicle collisions to disease, to weather and importantly, to predators. Reproductive rates and causes of death in fawns are also being explored.

“The outpouring of offers to help and assist with providing access to land and deer trapping activities from hunters, landowners and conservation groups has been phenomenal,” said DNR research scientist, Chris Jacques. “Without their help it would be very difficult to pull this off and with that help, we can make this a better study that will accomplish more in answering their questions and addressing their concerns”

Captured deer have been fitted with radio collars and ear tags so that researchers can follow them to determine cause of death. New born fawns will also be located and collared for the same purpose. One important question hunters and researchers are trying to learn more about is the percentage of deer, both adult and fawns that are lost to predators such as black bear, bobcat, coyote and wolf.

Two primary methods have been used to date for capturing deer. Ground traps, which are either wooden boxes or netted frames, both with trap doors, and recent efforts to capture deer using nets shot from a low flying helicopter.

Like any statistical survey, as the size of the sample increases (the number of deer captured in this example) the more confident researchers can be that what they observe in the sample accurately represents the population as a whole.

“Capturing as many deer as possible at the start of this project is important,” said Jacques, and helicopters have proven to be the most efficient way to capture large numbers of deer in a short amount of time.”

Due to on-going mechanical problems, the company contracted for the helicopter work has suspended operations for the remainder of this capture season and returned to their base in Utah. The contractor did not have a replacement helicopter available to pick up the work.

Capturing wildlife by helicopter is a proven wildlife management technique used by biologists around the world. This is the first time is has been used in Wisconsin and it turns out, Wisconsin’s varied landscape adds some difficulty to the process.

Capturing wild deer can result in unintended mortality. Every animal captured represents an investment in the project in time, effort and expense so researchers take every possible precaution to keep mortality as low as possible. In the case of helicopter capture, keeping pursuit times and transport distances short and limiting handling time from the moment the net drops till the animal is released are important to survival.

Usually, less than 5 percent of captured animals die. Death can be due to physical injury such as broken bones or to capture myopathy, a disease resulting from capture-related stress. Mortality rates currently are running at 7.3 percent (9 mortalities in 123 captures) at the Shawano County study site and 4.5 percent (8 mortalities in 179 captures) at the Sawyer County site.

Eight of the 17 mortalities to date have been related to helicopter capture. Necropsies will be performed on the eight to determine cause of death.

“We try very hard to handle deer carefully to minimize stress, but there is really no other way to answer the questions hunters are asking about our population estimating process that doesn’t involve capturing and marking these deer and then following them to determine how they die,” said Jacques. “Our research partners the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Whitetails Unlimited, Safari Club International, UW-Madison, UW-Stevens Point are aware of this and we are all working to keep research losses as low as possible.

“We will continue ground trapping efforts through the end of March and at that time we’ll review all our notes and data related to both ground and helicopter trapping efforts to increase our deer trapping efficiency and reduce mortalities in future years,” said Jacques.

More inforamation on deer research studies is available on the DNR website.

Winter Severity Index monitors health of northern deer herd

Weekly News Article Published: February 8, 2011 by the Central Office

SPOONER Wis. – State wildlife staff are again monitoring the effects of winter on the state’s northern deer herd using as system known as the Winter Severity Index – and so far things look pretty good. The index uses a combination and accumulation of cold temperatures and deep snows that historically have proven to affect the health and population of deer.

Biologists and other department staff add the number of days with daily low temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit (F) and the number of days with 18 inches or more of snow on the ground. Up to 50 combined points at the end of the winter is considered mild, from 51 to 80 is considered moderate, 81 and over is considered severe, and any totals over 100 points are considered very severe.

To date, most of northern Wisconsin has snow depths that allow good deer movement, according to Mike Zeckmeister, Department of Natural Resources northern region wildlife biologist.

“About half of our stations are reporting winter points over 20, the other half are 20 or less,” Zeckmeister said. “What stands out this winter is that it started early. We have had below average low temperatures, and snow depths have just hovered below the 18-inch reporting level at many stations up to the end of January.”

Zeckmeister said that with a little more snow, most stations will be adding snow days to their reporting. “Depending on what happens for the rest of the winter, we could go either way. We will factor all of this in, including the final Winter Severity, when we set deer quotas later this spring,” he said.

The north’s 2010 deer population was in good shape and hunters helped reduce deer numbers going into the winter, and this will help them survive. Last year's winter was considered mild, the biologist said, "and we saw a very early spring green-up that provided sustenance for pregnant does, insuring a healthy fawn crop."

Zeckmeister said that last summer’s ample rainfall provided good growth of summer vegetation that helped deer build up fat reserves for this winter.

“Our November deer harvest trimmed the herd in most areas and that means fewer deer having to compete for winter forage,” he said. Too many deer going into a winter can seriously degrade winter browse and cover that can take years to recover and hinder overwinter survival of deer.

Listed below are indexes (combined below zero temperatures and 18 or more inches of snow) and snow depths as reported by department staff:

Wildlife managers are currently studying deer populations and planning for the 2011 deer season. Public meetings will be held in March with citizens to discuss the condition of the deer herd and prospects for next fall’s season. Zeckmeister said that people interested in deer and proposals for next fall’s deer seasons should watch for announcements of these local meetings.

DNR deer research effort to begin in Shawano and Rusk county areas

Weekly News Article Published: January 18, 2011 by the Central Office

MADISON – Citizens within roughly 30 miles of Clintonville in Shawano, Waupaca and Outagamie counties and parts of Menominee County and in the area of Park Falls, Exeland and Winter in Price, Rusk and Sawyer counties soon may witness something never seen before in Wisconsin; a low-flying helicopter ranging through the skies with a live deer slung underneath. The event is the first stage of a multi-year effort by wildlife researchers to follow and document the causes of death in bucks, does and fawns due to predators, hunters, vehicles and natural events.

Flights are expected to take place beginning Jan. 21 in the Shawano County area and Jan 28 in the Rusk County area. Operations in each area are expected to last 4 to 5 days and will take place on public and privately owned lands in cooperation with landowners who are assisting the researchers.

Researchers will capture 60–90 adult deer each in the Shawano and Rusk County areas with nets from a helicopter, transport each deer to a processing area where scientists, biologists and volunteers will weigh, sex, age, take blood samples, install radio transmitters and ear tags, assess body condition and perform ultrasounds, and release the deer. Radio transmitters will allow deer to be monitored until the deer dies. Bucks will be monitored mainly for cause of death. Does will be monitored for cause of death and whether or not they deliver fawns.

Flights will take place during late January/early February in 2011 through 2014. Deer will also be captured with box traps and netted cage traps set out on cooperating landowner properties and monitored by field staff and volunteers.

During mid-May through mid-June of 2011 and 2012, scientists, biologists and volunteers will capture and put radio collars on 40 fawns each in the Shawano and Rusk County areas and subsequently monitor each fawn for cause of death during their first year until the radio collar falls off as it is designed to do as the animal approaches its first birthday.

“Critical to the success of this effort are landowners in the study areas willing to allow us to capture deer on their properties and volunteers to help us process deer and monitor them through the seasons,” said Chris Jacques, DNR research scientist and lead researcher for this project.

Volunteers can sign up on a DNR website.

“This is a multi year effort and we will need volunteers throughout the project,” adds Jacques. “This is an opportunity to literally do hands-on research with deer. It’s a real boots on the ground effort. Volunteers are needed to accompany biologists and assist in processing captured deer and in monitoring survival and movements of marked deer. We’re telling folks that we’d like at least a full day of their time each time they participate on deer capture events. You’ll probably come home cold, tired and dirty but you’ll be making a real contribution to our knowledge of white-tails in Wisconsin and helping to support science-based wildlife management.”

Research partners include the Department of Natural Resources, UW-Madison-Department of Forestry and Wildlife Ecology, UW’s Applied Population Laboratory, UW-Stevens Point, Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Whitetails Unlimited, AFL-CIO, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, Safari Club International, Menn Law Firm, Ltd., and numerous Wisconsin citizens.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Manwell (608) 264-9248