The Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on revisions to ch. NR 10, Wis. Adm. Code relating to the seasons for hunting deer. These proposed rules establish the deer season framework for hunting with archery gear, firearms and muzzleloaders.
The proposal includes:November firearm season. Statewide 16-day beginning two Saturdays prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. CWD zone would use the same dates. Season would be the normal bucks plus variable quota system.
Archery seasons. Open statewide on the Saturday closest to September 15 and continues through the Thursday immediately prior to November firearm season.
Statewide season reopens on first day of the November gun season and continuing through the second Sunday in January. In herd-control units, the archery season would continue through January 31. Bonus buck incentive for all hunters beginning December 26 through January 31 in herd control units. CWD zone would use the same dates.
Youth season. Statewide 5-day either-sex season beginning the second Saturday in October. Saturday through Wednesday.
Early muzzleloader season. Statewide 5-day, antlerless-only by permit beginning the second Saturday in October. Saturday through Wednesday.
October herd control firearm seasons.Herd control units only. 5-day, antlerless-only season beginning the second Saturday in October. CWD October season would use same dates. Saturday through Wednesday. When October herd control seasons are held on lands that are part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, the five- day season will begin on the Thursday nearest October 27.
Late muzzleloader season. Statewide 7-day season beginning the Monday immediately following the November firearm season (Bucks plus quota). CWD zone would use the same dates.
December firearm season. Central Forest & Farmland zones. 4-day, antlerless-only season beginning the Thursday immediately following the late muzzleloader season. Appropriate antlerless permit required. CWD zone would use the same dates.
Holiday herd control firearm season. Central Forest & Farmland zones. Herd control units only, 10-day antlerless-only season beginning December 26th. CWD zone would use same dates.
The rule also includes: a bonus buck incentive where hunters harvesting an antlerless deer in herd control units beginning on December 26 with this incentive are eligible for a bonus buck tag valid through the end of all deer seasons; and public/private land tags for herd control units only and only outside of the CWD Management Zone. Herd control tags will be specific to public or private lands. Public land tags will be issued based on the percentage of public land within herd control units. The proposed rule and fiscal estimate may be reviewed and comments electronically submitted through the Wisconsin Administrative Rules
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/legal/adminrules.html Web site (exit DNR). Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via U.S. mail to Keith Warnke, Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Comments may be submitted until November 3, 2009. Written comments whether submitted electronically or by U.S. mail will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearings. For more information or a copy of the proposed rule and fiscal estimate contact Keith Warnke at - (608) 264-6023. The public hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an informational presentation and overview of the proposed rule. Public comments and statements will be accepted beginning at 7 p.m. The following hearing locations and dates are scheduled:
October 14, Crivitz - Crivitz Village Hall, 800 Henriette Ave.
October 15, Onalaska - Onalaska High School Field house, 700 Hilltopper Place.
October 21, Madison - Lussier Family Heritage Center - Main Level, 3101 Lake Farm Road.
October 21, Rhinelander - James Williams Middle School, 915 Acacia Lane.
October 21, Ashland - Ashland AmericInn Conference Center, 3009 Lakeshore Drive E.
October 26, Appleton - Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton Campus, Room C190, 1825 North Bluemound Drive.
October 26, Eau Claire - Chippewa Valley Technical College auditorium, Room M103, 620 W. Clairemont Ave.
October 27, Sturtevant - Natural Resources office building, 9531 Rayne Road, Suite 4.
October 28, Pewaukee - Waukesha County Technical College, Room C051/C057, 800 Main St.
October 28, Spooner - Spooner High School Auditorium, 801 County A.
November 3, Stevens Point - Portage County Courthouse Annex, Conference Room 1, 1462 Strongs Ave.
