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Last Post:
11/20/2009
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Subject:
Wisconsin: Deer harvest expected to be smaller in 2009
MADISON WI (WDNR) Wisconsin wildlife biologists anticipate the statewide deer harvest will be lower than last year.
“There are a number of factors coming together in 2009 that will
most likely lead to a lower total deer harvest,” said Keith Warnke, big
game ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
“There are fewer herd control units and no earn-a-buck requirement
except in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone,
below average fawn production in the past two years, a reduced number
of antlerless permits in northern Wisconsin due to lower deer
populations in that region and a delayed corn harvest. All these will
contribute to a lower antlerless deer harvest and a lower total
harvest.”
Herd control and earn-a-buck hunts encourage or require the harvest
of antlerless deer and without their broad application, the antlerless
harvest and therefore the total harvest are almost certain to drop, say
wildlife managers.
“Hunters told us they wished to return to a more historically
traditional hunt,” said Warnke. “They will see that traditional hunt in
many deer management units
in the north and central forest where deer populations are at or close
to a healthy goal, and where there will be no earn a buck and few or no
antlerless permits issued.
Herd control and earn-a-buck are accomplishing what they were intended
to do, bringing deer numbers down to healthy population goals in parts
of the state.”
A byproduct of the 2009 season structure may be an increase in the
proportion of bucks harvested in some units. Biologists note that local
populations are the most important factor to the hunters and that can
vary widely. Scouting, patterning and lining up alternative hunting
spots could make the difference.
“As every year, hunters will need to do their homework and scouting
and find areas deer are using,” said Warnke. “Hunters who spend time
getting prepared are most likely to be in the ranks of successful
hunters. Annually, fewer than 40 percent of hunters bag a deer.
“But deer hunting is a whole lot more than just killing a deer,”
Warnke added. “For most deer hunters, it’s about spending time with
family and friends getting outside in the autumn air, observing
wildlife and enjoying the various traditions associated with the deer
season. Some hunters will bag a deer and some won’t. It’s always been
that way.”
Summer Deer Observations & Expected Field Conditions
Deer populations are lower in a number of areas across the state
compared to past seasons and fawn production for 2009, while improved
from 2008, is still below the long term average, according to
biologists. Gun hunters will not be able to harvest antlerless deer in
2009 in 13 northeastern management units. In addition, the number of
antlerless deer permits has been tightly controlled in most of the
north and central forest. These adjustments are meant to grow the herd
where populations are below goal and maintain close-to-goal populations
in others.
Agricultural observers across the state are reporting that wet fall
weather has slowed the corn harvest in many areas and it now appears
likely that large acreages of corn will still be standing when the gun
deer season opens. Standing corn provides outstanding cover for deer.
DNR recreational safety wardens emphasize the importance of being
absolutely certain of your target and what is beyond it and planning
every deer drive carefully. Before getting a drive underway be sure
every member of the drive understands the plan, and sticks to the plan.
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