2009 Wisconsin Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey

Tool Box

Preliminary Survey Results [PDF 22KB]

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is asking for your help in monitoring the relative abundance and distribution of deer and other mammalian/avian wildlife species in the state. The wildlife we are most interested in are; deer, raccoon, skunk, porcupine, red and gray fox, turkey, ruffed grouse, coyote, bear, otter, fisher, bobcat, house cat, badger, wolf, opossum, or other wildlife not normally seen in your area. Since deer hunters often spend many quiet observation hours in the woods, you can provide valuable information about species that are often very difficult to measure. Past efforts in Wisconsin and other states (Ohio, Iowa and Missouri) have provided wildlife agencies with valuable information for managing many wildlife species.

Read more about how deer estimates are made and the vital role that hunter observations, registration stubs, aerial surveys, statistics and summer reports provide in making these estimates. Sizing Up the Herd - Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

To participate in this survey effort all you have to do is record the date, number of hours, county, deer management unit, weather conditions, and the type and number of animals observed during each day of deer hunting. To submit your observations go the web page located here. You can record your observations after each hunt, or for times when you will not have access to a computer and the web and would like to keep track of your observations, please print out this tally sheet [PDF 34KB] and record your sightings. Then periodically return to the survey page, using the tally sheet to help you fill out the survey. It is important that all of your deer hunting efforts be recorded, even if nothing is seen. Please record all of your hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if you have no wildlife sightings.

Preliminary Survey Results [PDF 22KB]

If you want to receive notification of the start of the survey, reminders to report your observations, or want to have the results of the survey e-mailed to you, please:

• Sign up for the survey mailing list.

Trail camera photos wanted!

Deer hunters often place trail cameras in the woods as scouting tools. These cameras can serve as a valuable resource in documenting rare or endangered animal’s existence and location in the state. If you have trail camera photos of moose, Canada lynx, cougar, American marten, stone marten, wolverine, Franklin’s ground squirrel, badger, or if you have photos of an animal not normally seen in your area, (like bobcat, fisher, river otter, etc.), or an unidentified animal, please e-mail them to wildlife management. In your e-mail, please include the photo(s), the approximate date, county, and civil township of the photos. Wildlife management staff will work with others in the WDNR and try to positively identify all photos sent in.

If you have any questions about the survey, how to record your observations, or how this data will be used, please contact Brian Dhuey, Wildlife Surveys and Databases by E-mail or via phone (608)221-6342.

Thank you for your cooperation in this wildlife survey project and your concern for Wisconsin’s wildlife. Have a safe, memorable, and rewarding deer season.