This included buck and antlerless deer numbers for bow and gun seasons. Buck harvests were up by 10% while antlerless numbers were down 4%. His take on the numbers is that the buck harvest numbers offer the most telling statistics. Also, as is so often the case, he attributed much of the differences to hunting conditions the two years.
After this discussion, there was some give-and-take on how the deer herd numbers are measured. This seemed to hinge on how deer are distributed in Deer Management Units (DMU's). Deer have been expressed as density per square mile and the thought by some is that this is misleading.
The deer in fact are unevenly distributed across the DMU's, focusing on fields where snow has blown off and forage is therefore available. In this context, the Ear a Buck program was discussed for 2011. Some skepticism was expressed that this would be a possibility, though no decision has been made.
Next, doe to fawn ratios were discussed. The numbers presented were between 0.88 and 1.15 fawns per doe.
Proposed Deer Season Structure:
Jeff started by saying the Deer Committee makes a recommendation for the 2011 deer season framework to the DNR Secretary’s office. He noted:
EAB was unlikely in 2011 outside of the CWD area
- it will be another year of HC (herd control)
- they did not want to go back to 2000 deer numbers
- does think “some” units should be in EAB
- will present season framework to the DNR Board in April meeting
- recommends HC in units over goal
Rob Bohmann asked if we could take EAB out of the requirement for the CWD area in 2011. He also asked if the deer population in the CWD area was growing, decreasing or was stable? Tom Hauge said the deer population had a modest decrease in the last 4 to 5 years. It was also noted that hunters statewide do not believe deer numbers & do not support EAB.
Stan Brownell said you cannot put numbers on the social aspects, that we are going to loose hunters & we
must get something done in hot pocket areas. Marlin Laidlaw said we must not go to EAB. Mark
Burmesch (DNR) said distribution of deer is the issue asking if there was some kind of incentive a
land owner will take to shoot deer on his land. Mark Noll said when over 50% go to a doe only
season. Mike Riggle said the Department can no longer manage the deer. He stated hunters were
filling doe permits on National Forests to make numbers come out. Marlin Laidlaw said we should
have two different type of antlerless tags one for public land & one for private land. Al Phelan said
we need a disincentive for to many deer on a persons land.
Motion by Gary Severson with second by Marlin Laidlaw to not have EAB in the DNR’s tool box
for 2011, outside of the CWD area. Motion passed 16 yes 1 no.
Motion by Larry Bonde with second by Marlin Laidlaw to not allow archers to harvest antlerless
deer in zero quota units. Motion passed unanimously. In discussion stage both Rob Bohmann &
Mike Riggle said they do not believe the deer numbers.
Motion by Rob Bohmann with second by Arold Ninneman to have DMU #50 available deer quota
tags to remain at 850 the same as last year (2010). Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Rob Bohmann with second by Larie Hazen to eliminate the 4 day antlerless
hunt.in HC units outside the CWD area. Motion passed 10 yes 7 no. Motion by Tony Janecek with second by Rob Bohmann to allow archery buck harvest during December 4 day antlerless hunt. Motion failed 1 yes 15 no.
Motion by Rob Bohmann with second by Charlie Brown to have no EAB in CWD area for one year
(2011). Motion passed 10 yes 6 no. In discussion stage Rob Bohmann said we need to throw them a
“bone”. Al Phelan said it is a tough area to keep people interested.
Motion by Rob Bohmann with second by Roger Sabota to use last years (2010) zero quota map of 18
DMU’s for zero quotas in these same units for 2011. Motion passed unanimously.
Jeff Pritzl said the long term future of the Northern deer herd is not bright because of Aspen
shrinkage, poor habitat, logging changes & productivity compromise.
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