Were still 35% over goal

[Rancid Crabtree]

The SAK calculated deer population numbers are out for 2010. I received the spreadsheet today. The current calculated deer population in WI today (post hunt population) is 990,390 deer. The current goal is 734,938 meaning that the state's deer herd is still 35% over goal.

Should the goal increase that came out of the first round of goal revisions (that have since been rejected by the legislature) the new goal would be 745,636 and the states deer herd would be 33% over goal

Should the optional goal increase, recently suggested by the DNR during the latest round of DMU goal discussions be realized, the new goal would be 794,172 and the state's deer herd would still be 25% over goal.

Should the goal be set as a result of the resolution I wrote which became the Conservation Congress question in the spring hearing booklet (921,250), the states Deer herd would be 8% over goal

Should the goal be what was recommended by the Wisconsin Bowhunters Associations position paper, the new state goal would be 1,128,588, meaning the states deer herd would currently be 9% under goal.


This will be heard by the NRB on the 16th. The attached "Green sheet" of goal recommendations has been sent to the NRB prior to the board's meeting. You can view the document at the attached link.

The goal suggested by UW- Parkside, UW-Madison, Wisconsin County Forest Association, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, Joe Kovach DNR Forestry, Wisconsin Deer Hunters Association, is 745,636. These groups are insisting that this original goal sent to (and approved by) the NRB (but rejected by the legislature) should stand.

The goal suggested by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation is 773,633


The Goal suggested by the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association is 1,176,744


This green sheeted goals package will allow the NRB to decide what the new goal will be for the next 3 year term IF that decision is approved by the legislature. The legislature will have 10 days in which to approve or reject the recommendation of the NRB.


I have a feeling as to what will come out of the NRB meeting but I will refrain from making that prediction.


http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/2010/March/03-10-3B1.pdf

[Rancid Crabtree]

From the 2010 SAK spreadsheet.


Unit...............20% or more above goal

1M........................173%

2...........................34%

6...........................51%

8...........................25%

11.........................26%

12..........................63%

15.........................47%

16..........................38%

21..........................35%

22..........................31%

22A........................34%

23..........................37%

24..........................31%

27..........................48%

33..........................22%

47...........................62%

51A........................40%

51B........................66%

54B........................75%

54C........................78%

57..........................55%

57C........................20%

58...........................22%

59A.........................33%

59B.........................50%

59C.........................86%

59D........................56%

59M........................274%

60A.........................22%

60B.........................56%

60M........................154%

61...........................105%

62B........................136%

63A........................48%

63B........................68%

64..........................122%

64M.......................210%

65B........................50%

66..........................137%

67A.......................66%

67B.......................75%

68A.......................145%

68B.......................28%

70CWD.................65%

70ACWD..............69%

70BCWD..............23%

70ECWD.............88%

70GCWD..............78%

71CWD................145%

72.......................48%

73B....................111%

73BCWD............191%

73D....................91%

73ECWD............82%

74A....................46%

74B.....................67%

75ACWD............218%

75CCWD............368%

75DCWD............517%

76CWD..............146%

76ACWD............118%

76MCWD............247%

77ACWD.............309%

77BCWD.............238%

77C....................217%

77CCWD.............208%

77M...................92%

80A....................52%

80B....................106%

81.......................366%

If you hunt one of the 71 units listed above. You boys got some killing to do. You still have far too many deer. That list represents a majority of the units in the state.


Unit............10% or more below goal


4.........................-11%

7........................-52%

28.....................-21%

29A...................-27%

29B...................-63%

30.....................-16%

32....................-12%

34.....................-41%

35.....................-39%

36....................-27%

37...................-29%

38.....................-40%

39....................-57% (Ouch!!)

40....................-23%

41....................-35%

42.....................-19%

43....................-21%

44....................-46%

45.....................-43%

49A..................-51%

49B..................-17%

52....................-25%

53....................-10%

56.....................-34%


If you hunt one of these 24 units. Your hunting has most like been pretty poor. Don't despair, head to one of the units from the first list and give them a hand with their excess deer problem. I'm sure they would be happy to have the help.


Unit that are essentially "at goal" meaning this is what you should get used to when hunting in an "at goal" situation.


Unit..............-9% below goal to 19% above goal


1.................+15%

3................-9%

9................+11%

10..............+7%

13..............-7%

14.............-1%

17.............+14%

18..............+2%

19..............0%

20..............-2%

25..............+14%

26..............-5%

31.............-1%

46..............0%

50..............-8%

54A...........+5%

55..............-3%

57A............+17%

57B.............+19%

62A............+8%

65A.............-2%

69................-2%

778..............-8%


If you one of these units, your "At goal" and last year was what you can expect. That is as good as it's supposed to be. You can always go and hunt with the guys from the first list. They have far too many deer and need the help reducing the herd.

[mudbrook]

The Department of Natural Resources has relented to pressure from some hunting groups and the Legislature and will ask for additional increases in the statewide overwinter deer population goal.

If approved at next week's Natural Resources Board meeting in Madison and later by the Legislature, the statewide overwinter deer goal would be 794,172 deer, up from 734,938.

This I believe this is a small move on the part of the WDNR. Some will say just a publicity stunt.

It's hard to argue with that assumption.....


http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/87301582.html