Hearing On Revising White-Tailed Deer Management Unit Boundaries
Date: 01/08/2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. - End of Agenda
Location: Virtual
Scott Karel, Scottr.Karel@wisconsin.gov or 608-206-0222
The Department of Natural Resources announces that it will hold a public hearing on a permanent rule to revise ch. NR 10, relating to revising white-tailed deer management unit boundaries.
Join this meeting online via Microsoft Teams.
Rule information:
This rule proposes a return to habitat-based deer management units in the Northern Forest Zone. It also proposes to adjust a portion of the Central Forest Deer Management Zone boundary, as well as select Metropolitan Subunit boundaries. Prior to 2014, units were bounded by major roads and rivers that surrounded areas with generally similar habitat. In response to a recommendation in the Deer Trustee Report of 2012, units were adjusted to instead align with county boundaries.
Based on feedback received during the open public comment period, the department is also considering amending how county deer advisory councils are structured in this rulemaking. Current rules require the department to establish county-based deer management advisory councils. Since this rule proposes to move away from county-based deer management units in the Northern Forest Zone, the department may consider options to adjust the geographical areas represented by deer advisory councils in the Northern Forest Zone to better align with adjusted unit boundaries.
Accessibility
For the hearing or visually impaired, non-English speakers, or those with other personal circumstances that might make communication at the meeting/hearing difficult, DNR will, to the maximum extent possible and with reasonable advance notice, provide aids, including an interpreter or a non-English, large-print, or recorded version of hearing documents. To access these resources, please contact the email address or phone number listed below as soon as possible.
Appearances At The Hearing And Submittal Of Written Comments
The public has the opportunity to testify at the hearing. Registration will take place at the hearing by completing a Hearing Appearance form, which is available here Hearing Appearance Form. Registration is strongly encouraged if you plan to provide spoken comments during the hearing. To pre-register, please download and complete the fillable Hearing Appearance Form and send it to Scottr.Karel@wisconsin.gov.
Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before Jan. 10, 2025. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail, email or through the Internet and will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing.
Written comments and any questions on the proposed rules should be submitted to:
Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Scott Karel
P.O. Box 7921
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Comments can be made by emailing DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov
The rule may be reviewed, and comments made online.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis: These rules and the legislation granting the department rulemaking authority will have no effect on the private sector or small businesses. They are applicable to individual sportspersons and impose no compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.
Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Emma Esch, Emma.Esch@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-1959
