The Department of Natural Resources’ state's deer trustee report is heading to the Natural Resources Board for final approval.
The report was written by Dr. James Kroll, a Texas biologist hired by Gov. Scott Walker to change the way the DNR manages the deer population. In March, groups of citizens and hunters planned how the DNR should implement Dr. Kroll’s recommendations.
The final product contains some suggestions that could significantly impact the way Wisconsinites hunt. One likely to spark debate is a statewide ban on baiting and feeding deer. Currently, anyone outside of a Chronic Wasting Disease zone is allowed to use bait to draw deer in when hunting. Eric Lobner, a DNR Wildlife Supervisor who oversaw the trustee report process, says a majority of participants called for ending baiting and feeding but lawmakers will have the final say.
A second suggestion would entirely change how deer hunts are managed by the DNR. Lobner says there are now 134 Deer Management Units with different rules. He says those units would be lumped into two forest zones and three agricultural zones.
“You have the potential to have basically five different season structures or season frameworks around the state,” says Lobner.
Another big change that has been suggested is allowing all bowhunters to use crossbows with an option to create a separate season if too many deer are killed. All of the recommendations will go before the Natural Resources Board September 24.
