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New map offers view into how deer population estimates help determine season structure

Weekly News Article Published: October 20, 2009 by the Central Office

MADISON – An online color map [PDF] that compares estimated deer populations to population goals offers a view into how population estimates are used to determine season structures.

The color-coded map of Wisconsin’s deer management units (DMUs) assigns a color to a deer management unit in one of four categories according to population estimates: more than 20 percent below population goals; within 20 percent plus or minus of population goals; 20 to 40 percent above goals; and more than 40 percent above goals.

Populations determine structure.

“Every year, following the close of hunting, biologists and population ecologists enter data from the hundreds of thousands of registration stubs collected at deer registration stations as a first step in determining future season rules,” said Keith Warnke, Department of Natural Resources deer and bear ecologist

“Registrations provide a massive amount of hunter-supplied data that are a key input to our population estimations, which in turn are the basis of the next year’s hunting season structure. Hunters can get a general idea of population trends in their unit from this map and areas that are below or close to goals. Depending on where you hunt, scouting, teaming up for drives and having a plan B will improve chances of success. As deer numbers approach healthy population goals, fewer deer may be seen in some DMUs compared to when populations were out of balance,” Warnke said.

“Blue DMU”

Not the title of a Nashville hit, blue-colored deer management units are those units estimated to be more than 20 percent below population goals. Accordingly, there are no (or very few) antlerless permits available for over-the-counter sales in 2009 in these units. This is intended to promote herd growth and increase deer numbers.

Most green and yellow units do have bonus antlerless deer permits available over-the-counter but the number of permits available has been adjusted on a unit by unit basis to maintain populations near goals.

Most red units, those estimated to be more than 40 percent above goals:

• have ample numbers of bonus antlerless permits available over-the-counter;
• are designated as Herd Control Units meaning hunters can use the free antlerless deer tag that comes with their deer hunting license; or
• are CWD units in which case EAB rules continue to apply.

Bonus antlerless permits limited

“Hunters can expect a season similar to 2008,” says Warnke. “Preliminary indications are that fawn production is about the same as it was last year and remains below the long term average. Indices to fawn production were up in some areas and down in others, but on the whole very similar to last year. Winter severity was moderate and herd growth will vary with varying fawn production. Deer numbers will vary by region and even unit. Units in the far northeast are below population goals and DNR has taken steps to bring deer numbers up in those units. In others, populations remain above goal and herd control seasons are in place for 2009.”

Accordingly, one change hunters in the northern and central forests will notice is many deer management units will be “regular” units in 2009 after many successive seasons of herd control or earn-a-buck. Hunters in DMUs designated as regular units by deer managers, will find limits on the number of antlerless deer hunters will be able to harvest.

And, earn-a-buck, a population management tool that requires hunters to first shoot an antlerless deer before shooting a buck, has been suspended while effective alternatives are considered everywhere except in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone.

Public hearings, online survey seek input on proposed deer season framework

The state Natural Resources Board is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to Wisconsin’s 2010 and 2011 deer hunting season structures that are based on recommendations developed by a public panel charged with finding effective and hunter-supported alternatives to earn-a-buck. The panel’s complete report is available on the advisory committee Web site at deerherd.editme.com/. (exit DNR)

Public hearings on the proposal have begun and continue through November 3. Those who are unable to attend a public hearing in person may comment on the proposal through an online comment form. The proposed changes and link to the online comment form can be found on the 2010 Deer Season Proposal page of the DNR Web site. The online comment form will be active through Nov. 3.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke (608) 264-6023 or Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248

View all articles in this issue or check our previous Weekly News Issues.

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