Get involved in deer management
How are deer seasons set?
1. The DNR estimates deer populations in each DMU based on biological data and harvest figures
2.County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) meet twice each spring to make recommendations to the DNR on deer hunting season structure options and antlerless deer harvest quotas for the year
3. The DNR reviews recommendations provided by each CDAC
4. CDAC and DNR recommendations for the deer hunting season are presented to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for final approval. The NRB can accept the recommendations as they are presented or adjust season structure or antlerless deer harvest quotas based on public feedback, new information, etc.
5. The final deer season structure and harvest quotas approved by the NRB are made public and preparations are made for the deer hunting seasons
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How can you get involved?
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• Enroll in the Deer Management Assistance Program: work with your local wildlife biologist and forester to reach your wildlife management goals on your property
• Apply to a vacant County Deer Advisory Council seat in your county: make recommendations on local population objectives and hunting seasons
• Participate in a citizen-science volunteer wildlife survey: help biologists collect data through one of two online deer surveys
• Capture important deer metrics through the Snapshot Wisconsin program: host a trail camera or count critters on trail cam pictures
• Represent your wildlife values through the Wisconsin Conservation Congress: attend a spring hearing or become a county delegate
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Looking to learn more?
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• Wisconsin Deer Metrics System: harvest and population data, deer health information and deer impact measurements
• Wisconsin Big Game and Turkey Harvest Summary [PDF]
• Current harvest data: this season's deer harvest, updated weekly throughout the hunting season
• Weapon Use by Wisconsin Deer Hunters 2014-2017 [PDF]
• Wisconsin wildlife reports: harvest data, hunter opinion surveys and wildlife population survey results from the last two years