Commonly asked questions about Deer Damage Shooting Permits

DNR Wildlife Managers in cooperation with county wildlife damage specialists issue deer damage shooting permits to farmers who have severe crop damage from deer—specifically when deer damage to their crops is greater than $1000 in the current year, or is expected to exceed $1000 based on records of past damage.

No. The farmer has sole discretion over who he/she chooses to give the back tags to. The farmer may choose to fill all of the tags him/herself, may give the tags to his/her family, or may give them to people that he/she knows will be able to fill the tags quickly. The farmer is required to fill a percentage of his/her harvest quota to remain eligible for damage claims and shooting permits in subsequent years. As long as the farmer has a required harvest quota, the state must allow the farmer to distribute the permits in the most productive manner.

Deer damage begins in spring and summer as soon as plants emerge, and can continue until the crops are harvested. The best time to assist farmers is during the winter and summer months when damage significantly affects the yield of the agricultural crop. The farmer is required to harvest a percentage of his/her harvest quota to be eligible for damage compensation and a shooting permit for the following year. Generally, if a farmer received a permit before February 15th they are required to harvest 80% of their quota by September 15th. Farmers issued a permit after February 15th are required to harvest 50% of their quota in the first 45 days and 80% of the quota by the end of the year.

Yes. Everyone using one of the farmer’s damage tags must wear blaze orange, as outlined in the hunting regulations. While bow hunters using their own tags (NOT damage tags) are not required to wear blaze orange, we strongly suggest that you do, as other hunters are likely hunting with guns on the property.

Generally one. A hunter may, however, travel to a different farm where the owner has received a deer damage shooting permit and shoot one deer on that farm using that farmer’s damage back tag.

One per farmer’s permit. Each participant in a damage hunt (including the farmer) may only keep one deer. Other deer may be given to other people or donated to needy families or organizations in the area.

Unless otherwise indicated in writing on the farmer’s permit, you may only shoot antlerless deer.

The farmer will determine the period of time that a hunter is authorized to help shoot damage deer. The farmer’s permit is valid from the date issued through the end of the deer hunting season, with the exception that no deer can be killed during the 24 hours prior to the open gun deer season.

If you are using one of the farmer’s damage back tags, you must comply with the firearm type restriction applicable to the farmer’s land during the gun-deer season. In shotgun counties, the farmer, their employees, or members of their immediate family may use a rifle during the time period closed to gun deer hunting. During the regular gun deer season and t-zone season, everyone must comply with the weapons type restriction applicable to the farmer’s land.

Generally no. If you are using one of the farmer’s damage back tags, you must use a gun to shoot the deer. The reason for this is that the permits are specifically designed to reduce the local population of deer damaging crops on that property as quickly as possible, and guns are generally a faster and more efficient means of harvesting deer than bows. In a few instances, the DNR does authorize the use of bows to shoot deer causing damage, and in these cases it will be specifically written on the farmer’s shooting permit.

Of course, hunters can use their own tags to shoot deer using a bow during the open bow hunting season.

For more information on this topic, send mail to: Assistant Wildlife Damage Biologist

Questions for Wildlife Management