Fewer deer killed locally during gun season
Hunters in Rock and Walworth counties killed about one-third fewer deer during November's nine-day gun season than in 2008.
Hunters said the decrease is due to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources mismanagement of the deer herd because it has overestimated the deer population.
DNR officials said the decrease was due to weather conditions, standing corn and a smaller herd.
In Rock County, the DNR reported 1,084 deer killed this year, compared to 1,579 in 2008, a drop of 31.3 percent.
In Walworth County, 532 deer were killed this year, compared to 719 in 2008, a drop of 26 percent.
Bob Wolfram of Janesville is a self-described hunting addict who has been bow or gun hunting 50 or 60 days this year.
"I really believe they've grossly overestimated the herd," Wolfram said of the DNR. "In Rock County, I think I've hunted 11 times, and I didn't see a deer. It's amazing."
The DNR should stop allowing Rock County hunters to shoot an unlimited number of bucks if they shoot an antlerless deer first, he said.
The program has reduced the deer herd too much, Wolfram said.
"I talked to a lot of guys, and everybody said the same thing," he said. "They did not see deer to harvest."
Mike Foy, the DNR wildlife supervisor for Rock County, said several factors contributed to fewer deer getting harvested.
Aggressive chronic wasting disease management has reduced the herd 3 percent a year, resulting in a smaller harvest, he said.
Nearly half of the county's corn was still standing, Foy said, and cornfields gave deer a place to hide.
The decrease can largely be attributed to far fewer antlerless deer being harvested, while the number of bucks harvested dropped only slightly, he said. Many hunters carried over buck tags earned in 2008 and didn't need to kill an antlerless deer first.
Tim Lizotte, DNR wildlife supervisor for Walworth County, said warm temperatures also caused deer to move less because they didn't need as much food.
He said many dense pockets of deer are on inaccessible, private land.
"There's certainly deer out there, but under a lower population it's going to take more hunter hours and more scouting to harvest a deer," Lizotte said "It's certainly going to be more of a challenge."
Statewide, the DNR reported 195,647 deer harvested, compared to 276,895 in 2008, a 29.3 percent drop.
Dec 6, 2009 at 4:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
i think BOBs statement about deer crashes was LAME! i think your a lil off there BOB,,, is it because you spell your name backwards!
Dec 6, 2009 at 3:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Not realy they got paid or reimburesd some way by insuance companys.And didn't you just say your on a life time boycott(not the answer)of hunting&fishing.Lets get some change going in the DNR and its starts at the polls.Start by looking at wis government in general and go from there.And lets look at our wardens to they need a lot of reworking
Dec 6, 2009 at 1:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
misterC- I don't think the DNR wants a boycott....License money is how they get paid..
Dec 6, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just get rid of the earn a buck rule and allow hunters to shoot whatever they see, doe or buck, and extend the season to 16 days next few years and see how it goes. DNR - LISTEN: Quit wasting hundred's of 1,000's of dollars on studies and meetings and outside consultants, etc. and do NOT raise the hunting/fishing fees anytime soon. I think the deer hunting license at 18 bucks each was enough and should be dropped, not raised, to get me back into hunting deer say at 15 bucks per deer license. All the DNR wants is money, and it is not coming from me until they change their way of thinking although I do buy a fishing license since the season is LONGER THAN 9 days long.
Dec 6, 2009 at 11:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sorry mcufa968 but those links you posted are from WILD wolf studys out west.They did release wolfs in Wis.Outdoor news reported on it when and where, federal gov paid for most of it.Further more deer are there top meal out side of pets and farm animals.Unless you work for the DNR and tring to help spred lies
Dec 6, 2009 at 10:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
http://www.timberwolfinformation.org/inf...
oops this is the link to the study sorry
Dec 6, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
The DNR never released any wolves into the state of Wisconsin.
Second paragraph of the Reaserch and managment section.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/factsheets... in Wisconsin
Also here is a link to a study on the effects of wolves on deer very interesting and good info that will debunk the wolf theories.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/factsheets... in Wisconsin
I do agree that the DNR screwed things up majorly with unlimited shooting and earn buck but you cant blame the wolves.
Dec 6, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
Bob why does any one have to take responsibility for DUMB diriving open your eyes 95% car deer crashes are avoidable.And truth1 good luck with the boycott thats what they want.We need to get voting these people out and start exposing the liers who realy does check the DNR and keep them honist.
Dec 6, 2009 at 10:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
Exactly, keithrg, EXACTLY..
Dec 6, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
The imbeciles let WOLVES loose!!!!.....What does anyone think THATS going to do to deer, among creating other problems.
Next it'll be skunks ......Oops, better not give 'em ideas.
.
I'm on a lifelong boycott of the DNR..No more "licenses" as long as I live...anyone else joining?
.
There are many more enjoyable hobbies besides hunting/fishing to be had.
Dec 6, 2009 at 9:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
Let's try this again. The DNR takes ownership of the deer herd. Try to take a live one home and see what happens to you.
And, the hunting culture and the revenue it creates in Wisconsin drives the DNR's game plan for better or worse.
So, why is it stupid to question the deaths of drivers and millions of dollars of damage deer wreek on out highways, not to mention crops? Are the dead drivers just acceptable losses, secondary to a sporting activity managed by the DNR?
Why is it stupid to question death and property loss if the DNR lays claim to the deer that contribute to the mess?
Our highays look like meat packing plants with all the dead deer.
Or, am I getting the inuendo that we should all be riding bicycles to work and let the deer have the road?
Bob Keith
-humble and obedient citizen -
Dec 6, 2009 at 3:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
What a stupid statement. "It's the deer hunter's fault! They didn't shoot enough deer. That's why the accident happened!" Please Bob, put the keyboard down and slowly back away!
Dec 5, 2009 at 11:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
i hunt on private land and only saw 2 deer that not were the deer are
Dec 5, 2009 at 10:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe the deer are just getting smarter?
Dec 5, 2009 at 9:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
"DNR officials said the decrease was due to weather conditions, standing corn and a smaller herd." Well, they have one thing correct; a smaller deer herd. Not a surprise since they have been allowing an all out slaughter of deer for several years now! The DNR will give every excuse in the book, but the bottom line is that they have decimated the deer herd throughout the state by their ridiculous rules and regulations!
Dec 5, 2009 at 6:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Well Bob, you would be correct; nobody will give a rats azz about your dead deer crash. Thank you very much,... Elvis has left the building. Good night.
Dec 5, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
Let's make the leap, and assume there is actually beaucoup deer out there that we all missed. Wonderful; so I have to look forward to a year of excess deer jumping out at me while I drive down I-90.
Idiots; I hope I am wrong, because judging from past experience, neither the DNR, nor the hunting culture, will take any responsibility for a dead deer-car crash driver.
Bob Keith
humble and obedient citizen
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.