MADISON – Deer hunting is a mainstay of Wisconsin’s long conservation legacy and there will be terrific deer hunting opportunity statewide again this fall, according to state wildlife biologists across the state.
A very mild winter across the north and abundant food and habitat in nearly every corner of the state has produced a herd that is quite a bit larger than it should be. Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists estimate that the herd will number between 1.6 and 1.8 million animals going into the fall 2007-08 seasons -- even after a harvest of over a half million deer (506,947) in the 2006-07 seasons.
“In Wisconsin we are lucky to have dedicated conservationist-hunters who not only provide valuable input to deer management policy but also, through their efforts in the field every fall, help keep Wisconsin’s herd in balance with the ecosystem,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “Hunters helped design the seasons we have in place to manage the deer herd. Through their hard work, we have a December gun hunt statewide, a long archery season, a nine day regular gun season, and an early youth hunt opportunity.”
October hunt
This year will be the second year of a trial moratorium on antlerless-only gun hunting in October in areas outside of chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zones. The trial was one of several recommendations made by Wisconsin deer hunters with the goal of improving the state’s deer hunt. Hunters told DNR biologists that they would like to try suspending the October antlerless gun season in favor of a statewide December antlerless gun hunt, indicating that they felt that with the December hunt they would be able to kill enough antlerless deer to move deer populations close to established goals.
“In order to move the herd to established goals, hunters had to register two antlerless deer for every buck over the two year trial period,” Warnke says. “We fell short of this goal in the first year in four of our five deer management regions. Hunters will need to harvest more than two antlerless deer per buck in 2007-08 to prevent return of the October gun hunt. Moving the deer herd toward goal is difficult and it will take several years to get where we need to be, but we are making progress.”
Population model reviewed
In 2006, a group of stakeholders consisting of representatives of deer hunting groups and many other stakeholders (including foresters, farmers, and tribes) contracted an independent review of the DNR’s deer population estimation model. The review team consisted of an expert panel of biologists and statisticians from around North America. The panel concluded in a report to the Natural Resources Board that the mathematical model used to estimate Wisconsin’s deer population model is reliable and robust. The panel also reported that hunters in Wisconsin and the DNR cooperate to collect more deer-related harvest and age data than any of the other 21 states they studied.
“Every fall, Wisconsin hunters contribute to what may be North America’s premier example of citizen based environmental monitoring and data collection by participating in the deer hunting seasons,” says Warnke. “Since the 1950s, Wisconsin deer hunters have collected the information required to manage our deer herd. And, lately, they’ve done it in remarkable numbers.”
The average annual kill for the last 10 years is more than 466,000 deer – every year! The average kill in the 1980s was less than 270,000. That is an increase of 75 percent in just over 20 years. Almost 4.7 million deer have been harvested by hunters in the past 10 years.
As hunters bring in their game for registration, wildlife managers at dozens of registration stations collect age information from around 20,000 of these deer every year. This information is input to Wisconsin’s population estimation model.
“Without hunters participating as ‘citizen-biologists’ in collecting this valuable information, there would be no way to evaluate the deer population in Wisconsin,” add Warnke, “there is no better or bigger deer population survey -- including aerial flights -- that could be used with the same effectiveness.”
Scouting is important predictor of success
Even with historical kill figures and a pre-season population projection of 1.6 to 1.8 million deer this fall, some hunters do not see deer. Why is this? The answer, Warnke says, is deer biology.
“Deer are not spaced evenly across the landscape. They do not use all habitats equally and over time their patterns change. Deer densities can vary radically over a small area on the landscape, so the deer stand that was productive 10 years ago (or even last year) may not be any good this year. Careful scouting is tremendously important to deer hunter success and satisfaction. Deer hunting magazines are chock full of how-to articles on scouting and patterning deer movements. Hard work is really the one thing that will up a hunter’s odds this fall.”
Ecological impacts of high deer populations
Wisconsin’s deer population is about 70 percent over goal. All these deer must eat and deer browsing can cause long term (perhaps permanent) changes to the variety of plant species in the forests. In a heavily grazed habitat, the tree, shrub and other plant species preferred by deer decline in abundance after years of heavy browsing. Altering the types of plants on the landscape will result in lower deer populations (and less hunting opportunity) in the future and could cause a decline of other species (birds, mammals, and reptiles) that depend on habitats that are no longer available as a result of heavy deer browsing.
Overabundant deer populations cause other impacts as well. DNR figures indicated there are 40,000 to 50,000 deer-vehicle collisions in Wisconsin every year. (The Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation also compiles deer-vehicle collision figures, which are lower, because they only include collisions resulting in reportable damage to vehicles.) These encounters are costly for the vehicle owners and create a roadside mess that must be cleaned up. At the worst, deer-vehicle collisions can result in injury or death to motorists.
Wisconsin farmers claimed over $1.5 million in crop damage caused by deer in 2005. Estimates of total crop damage are much higher. In addition to the financial loss suffered by farmers, hunters also pay – it is their dollars that pay the damage claims. Lower deer numbers would no doubt reduce crop losses say biologists and agriculture officials.
“Recreational deer hunting is far and away the most effective way to manage deer populations,” says Warnke. “It is also a foundation of tradition, wise management and conservation of our natural resources. The next generation of hunters will need a conservation legacy of sound, cooperative deer herd management and we all must keep working to pass that legacy along.
“Consider taking a son, daughter, niece, nephew or friend of the family out during the Oct. 6-7 youth hunt. Future support for hunting and hunters is dependent on our youth and society’s perception that hunting results in a properly managed deer herd, ethical and safe hunting and not simply record harvests.”
Deer Management Units for 2007
Regular Units
Deer populations are at or near goal in these units. For the 2007 season, regular units will have a limited number of Unit Specific Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags. Hunters can purchase unit specific Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out at any license vendor beginning at noon on August 25. Tags can be purchased by phone (1-877-945-4236) or at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Online Licensing Center. Fees are $12 each for resident and $20 each for non-resident. Hunters must possess a 2007 Wisconsin deer hunting license to apply for the additional tags. Online maps of Deer Management Units are available in the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm].
Herd Control Units
Formerly known as Zone-T Units, Herd Control Units are designated when a deer population is over goal and increased antlerless deer harvest is required to bring populations toward goal. Every 2007 Wisconsin deer hunting license will include one free Antlerless Deer Carcass Tag that can be used in either Herd Control or Earn-a-buck Units. There is no limit to how many additional Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags can be purchased at $2 each for use in Herd Control and Earn-a-Buck units. Tags can be purchased at any license sales location or at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Online Licensing Center. Online maps of Deer Management Units are available in the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm].
Earn-a-Buck Units
Fifty seven of Wisconsin’s 130 deer management units will have Earn-a-Buck (EAB) requirements for the 2007 archery and firearm deer hunting seasons. All 21 CWD units (Disease Eradication Zone and Herd Reduction Zone) are under the Earn-a-Buck requirements, as well. Earn-a-Buck requires hunters to first tag an antlerless deer before they can legally tag a buck. Online maps of Deer Management Units are available in the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations at [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm].
Earn-a-Buck units in 2007: 22A, 23, 24, 27, 46, 47, 54B, 54B CWD, 54C, 57B, 59B, 59C, 59M, 60M, 61, 61A, 62A, 62B, 63A, 63B, 64, 64A, 64M, 65B, 66, 67A, 67B, 68A, 68B, 70, 70A CWD, 70B CWD, 70C CWD, 70D CWD , 70E CWD, 70F CWD , 70G CWD, 71 CWD, 73B CWD, 73E CWD, 74A, 75A CWD, 75B CWD, 75C CWD, 75D CWD, 76 CWD, 76A CWD, 76M CWD, 77A CWD, 77B CWD, 77C, 77C CWD, 77D, 80A, 80B, 80C, 81
First used in 1996, EAB is prescribed if a DMU has been a Herd Control Unit for two consecutive years, and unlimited antlerless tags along with antlerless only hunts failed to reduce the population to near goal. EAB is an effective method of population control. EAB units offer unlimited Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags, one free with each license purchased, and additional Antlerless Herd Control Carcass Tags can be purchased at $2 each.
NOTE: It is illegal to use a car-killed deer to obtain a buck authorization sticker or as authorization to register a buck.
2007 Earn-a-Buck
Deer hunters hunting in any of the 57 Deer Management Units under Earn-a-Buck regulations for 2007 will be required to “earn” a buck sticker authorizing them to shoot a buck by first shooting an antlerless deer during the current 2007 hunting season or to have earned and not yet used a buck sticker during the 2006 season.
2007 Earn-a-Buck prequalification
Under a program started in 2006, some hunters may be prequalified for a buck harvest sticker by virtue of having killed and registered an antlerless deer last year in a unit that is under EAB rules this year. This includes more than 65,000 hunters who have “prequalified” for a buck sticker in 2007 by registering an antlerless deer during 2006.
If the unit where the antlerless deer was killed was under EAB last year, the hunter received a purple buck authorization sticker on the spot. The sticker could be used immediately to shoot and tag a buck last year or saved for this year. An EAB buck authorization sticker is good in any EAB unit.
If the unit where the antlerless deer was killed was not EAB in 2006 but is under EAB in 2007, the hunter should be in the EAB Prequalification Database. Hunters in this category will be mailed a buck sticker beginning in August 2007. An EAB buck authorization sticker is good in any EAB unit.
Hunters can also earn a buck sticker for the gun deer season by killing and registering an antlerless deer during the early archery deer season in any EAB unit.
How to check your EAB status
Deer hunters who believe they have pre-qualified for a buck authorization sticker in one of these units can check their status over the Internet.
Hunters will need to have their Department of Natural Resources customer identification number handy when they go online to the deer hunting page of the DNR Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/index.htm] and click on the link for “EAB Pre-qualification Status” and follow the instructions to check on your authorization.
The on-line check allows hunters to determine if their information is in the database to receive a buck sticker for the 2007 Earn-A-Buck (EAB) season.
“You should be included in this database if you registered an antlerless deer in 2006 in any Deer Management Unit which was not EAB 2006 and is EAB in 2007,” Warnke says. “Data entry errors do happen. Some of the errors come from incomplete or unreadable information on the deer registration stubs so it’s really important for hunters to be very careful in filling out their registration stubs.”
Warnke also advises hunters not to wait until the last minute to check their status.
“You don’t want to be scrambling for a sticker the week before the opener, so please check and take action now,” he says.
Hunters who believe they have pre-qualified by registering an antlerless deer in 2006 in units that were not EAB in 2006 and are EAB in 2007 but do not find a buck authorization associated with their customer identification number should contact DNR via email directly from the Web page. Press the ‘enter my info’ button and enter everything you can remember about the deer you killed.
Hunters are encouraged to make sure the address DNR has associated with their customer identification number is correct. This address is where the buck authorizations will be mailed.
People who don’t have access to the Internet either at home or at a local library or through a friend, can contact their local DNR service center who will look up the information. People may also contact the DNR Call Center toll free at 1-800-282-0367.
Repeat EAB Units
Hunters who killed and registered an antlerless deer in an EAB unit in 2006 received a purple buck sticker at the registration station last year and will not be in the on-line database.
Units that were EAB last year and again this fall include: 46, 54B, 59B, 59C, 59M, 60M, 61, 61A, 62A, 62B, 63A, 63B, 64M, 65B, 66, 67A, 67B, 68A, 74A, and 80B.
“The sticker you received last fall is the sticker you need to have this hunting season,” says Warnke. Hunters who used all their buck stickers last fall or did not kill any antlerless deer in these units last fall will need to register an antlerless deer in an EAB unit this year to get a buck sticker. The stickers issued last fall will not be re-issued or replaced.
“Hunters were advised last fall to keep track of the purple buck stickers they earned. The same is true of stickers that will be mailed in August – close to the start of bow hunting. We need hunters to be careful to keep stickers safe. We can’t replace lost ones,” Warnke says.
The EAB “watch list”
Hunters looking ahead to the 2008 seasons can get an idea of which units might be in Earn-a-Buck by looking at the EAB “watch list” described below.
Based on population trends, deer management unit history and harvest history, deer managers have created an EAB “watch list.” These are deer management units that could potentially be designated as EAB in 2008. Hunters harvesting and registering an antlerless deer in these units in 2007 will pre-qualify for a Buck Authorization sticker if the unit is designated as EAB in 2008.
Because harvest information is taken directly off the deer registration stub, hunters are reminded to completely and legibly fill out the registration stub if they want to receive their “Buck Authorization” sticker in 2008.
The following is the “watch list” for 2008: all 2007 EAB units, plus units 1, 1M, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 30, 36, 51A, 51B, 52, 53, 54A, 55, 57, 57A, 57C, 58, 59A, 59D, 60B, 72, 73B, 73D, 74B, and 77M.
October Antlerless Gun Deer Hunt
Except in CWD units, there will be no October antlerless gun deer hunt in 2007.
“Wisconsin is entering its second year of a two-year trial moratorium on October gun deer hunting,” Warnke says. “There is a benchmark two-to-one average harvest ratio of antlerless deer to bucks in herd control units (does not include CWD units) needed over the two years of the trial.
“Unfortunately, only one of Wisconsin’s five deer management regions made the two-to-one ratio in 2006. The October antlerless deer gun season will return in 2008 unless the harvest ratio in herd control units is significantly higher than two-to-one in most regions of the state.”
The October antlerless gun deer season has been replaced during the moratorium by a December statewide four-day antlerless season.
Statewide December Antlerless Gun Deer Hunt
The four-day December antlerless deer hunt will be held Dec. 6-9 in DMUs statewide, except State Park units, non-quota units and those portions of units west of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad that are posted closed to hunting. Hunters will need to have a valid antlerless deer carcass tag for the unit in which they wish to hunt. All deer and small game hunters, with the exception of waterfowl hunters, are required to meet blaze orange requirements on these two days. Only CWD units will have October gun deer hunting.
Youth Hunt
The fifth annual Youth Gun Deer Hunt will be Oct. 6-7. This special hunt was established to provide more youth deer hunting opportunity. The hunt will be held in all DMUs statewide, except State Park units, non-quota units and those portions of units west of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad which are posted closed to hunting.
Youth hunters ages 12 to 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program and possess a gun deer hunting license may participate in this hunt. Qualified hunters may harvest one buck deer on their gun buck deer carcass tag and additional antlerless deer with the appropriate carcass tag.
All deer, bear, and small game hunters, with the exception of waterfowl hunters, are required to meet blaze orange requirements on these two days. For more information on the youth hunt, check the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
NOTE: Earn-a-Buck restrictions do NOT apply in EAB units during the youth hunt.
State Park Units
State Park units 23A, 52A, 57D, 61A, 69C, 72A, 73A, 77D, 77E and 80C allow deer hunting during one or more deer hunting seasons.
Hunters wishing to hunt in these State Parks must purchase a $3 State Park Access Permit online or at any DNR license location for the State Park of their choice. Permits are available beginning Saturday August 26 at noon on a first-come, first served basis until sold out.
A State Park sticker or pass is required for all vehicles in a State Park. Special season dates, hours and area restrictions may apply within the parks; this information will be mailed to successful applicants.
Metro Deer Management Units
Metro units 59M, 60M and 64M are designated as EAB units, while 1M and 77M remain as Herd Control units in 2007. These metro units also have special deer hunting season dates.
Hunters should review the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet, available online now, and in hard copy in August, for season dates in these units and for other deer hunting regulations.
Check local ordinances on firearm and bow use before hunting because many areas within the borders of the Metro Units do not allow firearm discharge and some may not allow the discharge of a bow or crossbow.
2007 Deer Hunting Regulations
Wisconsin deer hunting regulations and a map of the Deer Management Unit Structure in Effect for 2007 are available on the DNR Web site [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm].
2007 Season Dates:
Archery:
• Sept. 15 – Nov. 17
• Nov. 26 – Jan. 6, 2008
NOTE: Archery harvests in all units are restricted to antlerless only Dec. 6 – 9.
Gun:
• Regular Gun: Nov. 17 – 25
• Muzzleloader: Nov. 26 – Dec. 5
• Herd Control hunt: Dec. 6 – 9 (statewide antlerless only)
• Youth Gun Hunt: Oct. 6 – 7
• Disabled Hunt: Oct. 6 – 14
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Units:
Disease Eradication Zone (DEZ):
• Archery: Sept. 15 – Jan. 6
• Early Gun: Oct. 13 – 21
• Late Gun: Nov. 17 – Dec. 9
Herd Reduction Zone (HRZ):
• Archery: Sept. 15 – Jan. 6
• Early Gun: Oct. 18 – 21
• Late Gun: Nov. 17 – Dec. 9
NOTE: All CWD units are unlimited earn-a-buck for the entire 2007 season except for the Youth Gun Deer Hunt (see page 38 of the 2007 Deer Hunting Regulations for specifics on the youth hunt )
NOTE: Hunters are reminded that coyote hunting is closed in approximately the northern third of the state during the gun deer seasons from Nov. 17 through Dec. 9, 2007. See page 51 of the 2007 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for the southern boundary of this special closed area. The coyote hunting season will remain open during the two-day youth hunt on Oct 6- 7. As with all hunting seasons, hunters are reminded to be absolutely sure of their target before they shoot. Mistakes in identification can be very costly.
Regional Season Forecasts
Northern Region
By Mike Zeckmeister, Regional Wildlife Supervisor (715) 623-4190
Of the 45 DMUs in the DNR Northern Region, 32 are subject to Herd Control regulations and 2 are subject to Earn-a-Buck (EAB) regulations for the 2007 seasons due to high deer numbers.
Last year, 28 units were in Herd Control so we are still in a major herd reduction effort throughout most of Northern Wisconsin. Last year, we had two units on the EAB "Watch List" which meant that they were candidates for EAB for this coming season. This year, we have 25 units on this "Watch List". The reason we have so many units designated for herd control is because we had another mild winter and we did not have an October antlerless-only gun season. These two factors resulted in growing deer populations. In the absence of a severe winter or an early October antlerless-only gun season, it is uncertain whether we will get our deer population in check with overwinter goals.
Sustaining a deer population above these goals for any length of time is a major concern for all of us because it affects overall herd health, forest and native plant regeneration, the number of car-deer collisions, damage to agricultural crops, nursery stock, and landscape plantings.
In Herd Control Units there will be unlimited $2 permits for anyone interested in shooting antlerless deer. In the two EAB units, hunters who did not pre-qualify, must shoot an antlerless deer before shooting a legal buck. In the remaining units of the Northern Region, deer populations are at or slightly below goals.
It is hard to believe that we had an even milder winter compared to 2005-06. Last winter we measured a Winter Severity Index (WSI) of 32 compared to 36 the winter before. The 30 year average WSI is 56. Anything less than a 50 WSI is considered a mild winter. Again, winter mortality was low and recruitment of fawns and yearling deer is expected to be above average in 2007. In most units, we need a heavy harvest of antlerless deer to help keep a healthy deer herd, maintain good habitat, and maintain a high regard to Wisconsin's truly magnificent big game animal.
Northeast Region
By John Huff, Wildlife Biologist (715) 582-5047
Deer hunting opportunities and deer populations in the Northeast Region vary from north to south in 2007. Hunters should review the regulations for season structure in units they have traditionally visited as there are some changes from 2006.
DMUs in northern Oconto and Marinette counties (41, 44, 45, 49A, 49B and 50) have deer populations at or near management goals. These units will have the traditional hunting structure plus a December antlerless season, and the availability of antlerless deer tags depends on population status.
Units 45 and 49A have a limited number of tags available while tag numbers in units 41, 44, 49B, and 50 are more generous. Good hunting opportunities are found in all of these units which have a mix of public and private land. Pre-season scouting will help hunters to determine deer movement patterns in these largely forested units.
For the remaining southern two-thirds of the region, deer populations remain above population goals, and in some cases, far above. Most of these units had Earn-a-Buck regulations in 2006. Harvest numbers were high and progress in managing populations was noted in many of the units although deer populations remain high throughout this part of the Northeast Region. Units 51A, 51B, 65A, and 69 have Herd Control regulations in 2007. These units will not have an Earn-a-Buck (EAB) requirement in 2007 but they are on the watch list for EAB in 2008. Hunters are encouraged to take advantage of liberal harvest regulations in these units so that population management gains that have been achieved can be continued.
The following units in the Northeast Region will have an EAB season structure in 2007: 47, 62B, 63A, 63B, 64, 64M, 65B, 66, 67A, 67B, 68A, 80A, 80B, and 81. Units 47, 64, 80A, and 81 were herd control units in 2006. Hunters who registered an antlerless deer in these four units in 2006 will be mailed an EAB buck authorization sticker for each antlerless deer registered. The remainder of these 2007 EAB units were EAB in 2006. Hunters who registered antlerless deer in these units during any deer season in 2006 should have received a buck authorization sticker. Unused stickers from the 2006 season are still valid in any EAB unit.
Hunters are crucial to management of deer populations and can demonstrate their commitment to sound conservation practices by contributing to maintaining deer populations at goal. In Herd Control and EAB units it is particularly important that hunters focus harvest on antlerless deer. We are striving to harvest at least 2 antlerless deer for each buck registered in these units. All EAB and most Herd Control units are on the watch list for possible inclusion in future EAB seasons.
Hunters will receive a free antlerless tag with each deer license that is good in any Herd Control or EAB unit. An unlimited number of additional antlerless permits at $2 each are available over the counter for Herd Control and EAB units. Deer hunting opportunities will be plentiful, and it is important for hunters to take advantage of them.
There will be a youth-only gun hunt for deer on Oct. 6-7. This hunt is open to youth aged 12 to 15. Youth hunters during this hunt may shoot and tag a buck with their regular gun buck carcass tag in EAB units without having to shoot an antlerless deer first. Antlerless deer can be harvested according to the number of antlerless tags available to the youth hunter. This is a great opportunity to help a youth hunter start a lifelong tradition of hunting.
Remember to be safe and enjoy yourself while hunting deer in Northeast Wisconsin!
West Central Region
By Kris Belling, Regional Wildlife Supervisor (715) 839-3736
Thanks to the hunters who allowed us to sample their deer in 2006, we were able to determine that the units in the West Central Region remain free of CWD.
For 2007, the DNR West Central Region again has high deer numbers in general, and the season framework will provide ample opportunity for hunters to take advantage of it. Only one unit in the region will have a regular season framework (Unit 33). All other units are substantially over management goals and will have Herd Control (53, 54A, 55, 56, 57, 57A, 57C, 58, 59A, 59D, 60A, 60B, 65A, 72, 74A, 74B) or EAB seasons (22A, 27, 46, 54B, 54C, 57B, 59B, 59C, 59M, 60M, 61, 62A, 74A).
Hunters in the region are urged to take advantage of the liberal seasons to harvest antlerless deer, qualify for next year’s EAB (in units that are EAB or are on the EAB “watch list”) and assist in reducing deer numbers where it is needed.
We are hoping that the high deer population and liberal seasons will provide for a good harvest and high hunter satisfaction in the region for 2007.
South Central Region
By Eric Lobner, Regional Wildlife Supervisor (608) 275-3474
Deer numbers in the south central region continue to be above goals throughout the entire region. As in recent years, WDNR wildlife management staff conducted aerial surveys throughout a large portion of the region with specific attention paid to the core of the disease eradication zone and miscellaneous sections throughout the herd reduction zone.
Although deer numbers are not evenly distributed across the landscape, the overall deer numbers are significantly above goal. As a result, to increase overall success, it will be very important that hunters spend some time scouting their favorite hunting areas this late summer and early fall as the unequal distribution of deer means that hunters may need to move to new areas if their pre-season scouting shows few deer in their area. While scouting, hunters should pay special attention to natural food sources, in particular oaks as deer behavior and movement are closely tide to the acorn crop, especially in years with high acorn yields.
Deer studies specifically in the SCR have also shown some interesting deer behavior that hunters should keep in mind when in the field. Radio telemetry studies show that deer tend to stay in their home range even when hunters are moving through the area, and the deer simply avoid the hunters. In other words, deer pattern the hunters!
Think about the way you hunt deer. Do you park in the same spot and use the same route to your favorite stand? Do you typically arrive at your stand at the same time every day you hunt? Deer know their home range like you know your home and yard. Would you notice when a person walked across your yard every day at the same place and time? If your scouting shows you have plenty of deer in your area, you may need to change your stands and timing a bit to intercept deer. After all, there are plenty of deer as shown by the 509,000 deer harvested in Wisconsin last year in Wisconsin - but it still takes some work to find them.
Lastly, the CWD management zone boundaries will be the same as they were last year. One big change, however, will be the implementation of earn-a-buck again this year. Largely due a 10,000 animal reduction in the antlerless deer harvest in the region last year without the EAB requirement, it was decided to reinstate this requirement throughout the all of the CWD management zones.
Statewide, the Archery season will run from Sept. 15 through Jan. 6, including the CWD zones. Also, the youth hunt will occur on Oct. 6 and 7. Gun deer seasons in the DEZ portion of the region will occur from Oct. 13 – 21st and Nov. 17 – Dec. 9. Within the HRZ portion of the CWD zone, the gun-deer hunting seasons will run from Oct. 18 – 21 and again on Nov. 17 – Dec. 9.
In the remainder region, DMU’s 73B and 73D in Grant County are currently on the watch list for potential implementation of EAB next year if this year’s antlerless harvest does not meet goals. The remainder of the region, including the Dodge County portions of DMU’s 68B and 77C and the Columbia County portions of DMU’s 67 A & B will also be EAB units this year. As always, hunters are reminded that it is their efforts which effectively manage the deer herd at the sociologically and ecologically acceptable levels and as a result, they are strongly encouraged to harvest antlerless deer to bring herd numbers back to goal.
Southeast Region
By Tami Ryan , Regional Wildlife Supervisor (414) 263-8710
Deer populations within our eight counties (Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha) are highly variable due to diverse habitat conditions and variations in hunting pressure. Some of the best deer habitat is found in the Kettle Moraine State Forest and within our DNR Wildlife Areas located throughout the Region.
The remainder of the Region is covered by urban areas and agricultural landscapes with inclusions of scattered habitat that deer also utilize. Hunting pressure is typically very high on public lands whereas private land hunting opportunities are by permission only. Hunters interested in hunting on private lands are encouraged to get out well in advance of the deer season to meet with landowners to obtain permission to hunt. Scouting well in advance of the season will also help hunters to increase their chances of securing a good hunting spot. Hunters should always check with local municipalities on their ordinances to determine if there are any prohibitions regarding firearms or archery equipment.
The 2007 deer harvest for the Southeast Region will likely be higher than the 2006 season. Even with some heavy snowfalls, local mortality was not severely affected and is reflected in the over-winter deer population estimates that were either at the same level, or substantially higher, than last year. Reproduction rates will likely be higher as well due to the low number of antlerless deer harvested during the 2006 deer season.
The 2007 harvest increase will primarily be due to an increase in antlerless harvest as a result of Earn-A-Buck (EAB) & Herd Control regulations. This year, the Southeast Region has EAB regulations in units 77B, 77C and 77C-CWD and herd-control regulations in 77M and 69 due to deer numbers being well above established goals.
Unit 69 - Deer numbers are expected to be up in most of the unit Last year’s “Regular Unit” designation resulted in a decrease in the antlerless harvest from the previous year. This year’s “Herd Control” designation should result in more antlerless deer taken, and possibly a decrease in the buck harvest.
Unit 77C: Unit 77C was split three years ago into 77C-CWD (south of Hwy 18) and remaining 77C in northern Waukesha County and southwest Washington County. Deer numbers in the remaining 77C are substantially above goal. Being the third year following the boundary split resulted in 77C meeting the criteria for Earn a Buck designation. Hunters that "pre-qualified" for EAB by shooting a deer in a unit that became EAB this year will be mailed their EAB stickers in late summer. Hunters shooting antlerless deer this fall will receive their EAB stickers when they register their deer.
Unit 77D (Loew Lake Unit): - This unit will be "Earn a Buck" (EAB) for both archery and muzzleloader hunting. Hunters can bow hunt for deer at Loew Lake if they have a current archery license and unused archery tag (EAB applies). They don't need a "park access permit" to bow hunt. Sixty "park access permits" will be issued for muzzleloader deer hunting, and only those hunters can muzzleloader hunt. The season runs 19 days. The park access permits for Loew Lake and other park units will be sold on a first come, first served basis beginning at noon on Saturday, August 25 from ALIS vendors. Other than the 19 day muzzleloader season by access permit holders, no other gun deer hunting is allowed. There is no Oct. 6-7 Youth hunt or Dec. 6-9 Antlerless hunt in any of the park units in our region.
Unit 77M (the “metro” unit)The deer population, hunting season framework and the deer harvest should be very similar to last year. Most of this unit is under private ownership and many communities require special discharge permits and hunters need to check with local authorities before hunting.
Units 77B-CWD & 77C-CWD: The boundaries of the chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zones remain the same as in 2006. There will be unlimited EAB in all CWD zones during all seasons this year except during the Oct. 6 and 7 youth gun hunt. During the 2-day youth gun hunt, EAB will not apply but only one buck may be harvested with a gun. We continue to depend on hunters to help us contain chronic wasting disease in southern Wisconsin by reducing deer populations in both the HRZ and DEZ. Hunters using this area should carefully examine the 2007 CWD deer hunting regulations to ensure they understand the rules for EAB and for the portion of the season in which they are hunting.
During the upcoming season, deer harvested within the Eastern Disease Eradication Zone (DEZ) will require mandatory CWD testing as has been done in past years. However, due to budget constraints, testing deer from the Herd Reduction Zone (HRZ) will be targeted on sparks areas (northwest Walworth and northeast Rock counties) and will be on a voluntary basis. As a reminder, deer taken from zones requiring CWD testing must be registered and sampled within 24 hours of harvest at appropriate stations. Department wildlife staff and DNR contractors will work with those hunters who wish to have their deer heads mounted. Chronic wasting disease sampling and testing will continue to be conducted free of charge and the test results will be provided to the hunter by the DNR.
In the Southeast Region, baiting for deer hunting is only allowed in two counties - Washington and Ozaukee Counties - and is banned in the remaining six counties. The primary rules are: no baiting until the day before bow season starts (Sept. 1), no baiting within 100 yards of another bite site, no more than 2 gallons per bait site.
