Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approves rules to implement Deer Trustee Report for 2014 season

The Natural Resources Board approved today emergency rules to begin

implementing Deer Trustee Report recommendations on the ground, authorizing a new deer program and regulations that will be in place prior to the 2014 deer hunting season.

"This is a major milestone in the Deer Trustee Report implementation process and the future of deer management in Wisconsin," said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp. "Throughout the process, DNR has been the ears while partner groups, tribes, and the public have been the voices. This has been no small feat, and many thanks go to all who have provided input - and to DNR staff who have continued to move implementation forward. We have embraced this opportunity to build on our strong deer management foundation, and look forward to implementing the rules in cooperation with deer hunters, landowners, and other partners."

The rules revise deer hunting season frameworks, management units, and revise antlerless deer hunting permits. The rule provides additional opportunities to evaluate herd size and impacts in counties in addition to using population models to estimate the size of the herd, simplifies state park deer hunting regulations, and establishes a Deer Management Assistance Program. Not all provisions will be in implemented in time for the 2014 season. Some are delayed until 2015. The permanent rule hearings and Board approval will occur in 2014, so that it can be implemented in time for the 2015 season.

For an executive summary of the Deer Trustee Report rule package, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "deer trustee report."

"The Deer Trustee Report rule package is a culmination of the recommendations of Dr. James Kroll, a robust public outreach effort involving volunteer action team implementation proposals, surveys, online feedback, 35 public hearings, conservation roundtables, and stakeholder feedback," Stepp said. "This is Wisconsin's deer herd, not the DNR's, and these rules are reflective of Wisconsin's desires for enhancing deer management in the state."

The implementation of the approved rules will involve public outreach to inform hunters, landowners and others about changes and opportunities prior to deer season. From here, the department will proceed with development of draft permanent rules with anticipated public review and Natural Resources Board action in 2014.

For more information, please visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "deer trustee report."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Hauge, DNR wildlife management bureau director, 608-266-2193; Eric Lobner, Deer Trustee Report implementation coordinator, 608-235-0860

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Wisconsin - Preliminary opening weekend results show enthusiasm is high, though temperatures as well as harvest numbers came in low

MADISON – Though opening weekend temperatures were cold, more than 615,000 people bought deer licenses to go out hunting, nearly 27,000 of them buying

licenses to go out hunting for the first time. Many hunters went out with hopes of getting a deer, knowing that despite extremely cold temperatures, they would likely all be guaranteed the making of warm memories.

Though hunters define success in different ways, 110,797 deer were successfully harvested and registered in Wisconsin during the opening weekend of the nine-day deer season. The tally is based on preliminary call-in numbers collected from registration stations by Department of Natural Resources staff.

“Congratulations to all hunters who endured the cold and were able to harvest a deer opening weekend of the nine-day. Though getting a deer is often the ultimate goal, it’s the whole experience of spending time with friends and family, engaging in the traditions, and getting outdoors that makes the hunt so fun, even if a deer is not brought home,” said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. “I hope those that weren’t able to get a deer during the season opener will get back out there and enjoy the rest of the days of the season.”

“We saw quite a few new hunters taking part in the traditions this year, with females representing 33 percent of resident First Time Gun Deer licenses sold,” Stepp said. “With the extremely cold temperatures opening weekend, many of these new hunters had quite the initiation. This makes me even more proud of the stories and the photos being shared with us, showing them having fun whether they got a deer or not. If people haven’t checked out our Facebook photo album of pictures collected over the weekend, they really should. It’s a great reminder of what the season is all about!”

To view some of the photos and stories shared, please visit DNR’s Facebook page.

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report

Cool spring means colder water temperatures than usual for the Memorial Day holiday weekend

The cool spring means water temperatures across most of the state will be colder than usual for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Water levels on streams and rivers are beginning to recede, but they remain high on many river systems. The Mississippi is beginning to drop in the lower pools, but is still rising on some of the northern pools. The Flambeau River is running

nearly 2 feet above normal on the North Fork. The Rock River had dropped from flood stage but slow-no-wake rules remain in place in Rock County.

Widespread rain has alleviated fire danger and helped “green up” vegetation around the state, but 30 wildfires still burned 32 acres in DNR Protection Areas the past week.

Many state parks and forests report that most reservable campsites are booked for the weekend, but there are still some open sites. People can also now check the DNR website for availability of non-reservable sites for camping in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, which has nearly 900 campsites.

Next weekend, June 1-2 is Free Fun Weekend in Wisconsin with free fishing, free DNR trails and free ATV/UTV riding June 1 and 2 and free entry to state parks and forests Sunday, June 2 only.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: a video invitation for free fun weekend from DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp and Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch is available in the online DNR Outdoor Report.]

Most northern lakes and flowages currently have high water levels from recent heavy rains. The erratic weather of the past week made for some variable water temperatures ranging from the upper 40s on the large and deep lakes to the mid to upper 60s on some smaller lakes.

The variable weather also made for constantly changing fishing success, though walleye anglers have been experiencing steadily improving action and success over the past week. Daily walleye bag limits will increase May 25 on more than 440 lakes in northern Wisconsin in time for the long Memorial Day weekend as spring spearing winds down by the Wisconsin bands of Chippewa Indians. Only seven of the preliminary 197 lakes that were set at a one fish bag limit will have that limit. All others will move to a two, three four or five fish limit. Check the DNR website for the revised ceded territory bag limits [PDF].

Northern pike success has been fair and panfish activity has picked up with the warm-up in water temperatures. Bass activity has also been increasing, but the erratic weather has kept fish in deeper water. The first largemouth bass spawning activity has been observed in some lakes. Crappies and white bass were biting below the Wisconsin Dells dam on the Wisconsin River.

Bass are just beginning to move onto their beds on Green Bay and there has been some excellent bass fishing all around Door County. On Lake Michigan, salmon fishing has really begun to pick up with the arrival of coho in southern waters, especially at Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha, with some trollers have reported catching limits.

The spring turkey season ended with hunters having better success at the end of the season with the warmer temperatures. Hen turkeys have established nests and will be sitting on eggs for the next few weeks.

Bucks are growing their antlers and does are beginning to give birth to fawns. Again, does will leave their young for long periods of time. These fawns are not abandoned…leave them where they and their mothers will return to care for them.

Butterfly species are slowly emerging including: Karner blue butterflies, spring azures, pine, horary and brown elfins, and mourning cloaks. Spring ephemerals are peaking with trout lilies, trilliums, wild geranium, bellwort, bloodroot, anemones, marsh marigold and violets blooming. And more morels are popping up with some mushroom hunters reporting finding several pounds of these spring delicacies.

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Wisconsin Hunters can help the hungry through venison donation program during December hunt

Image via Wikipedia

Venison donation program assists thousands of needy families

MADISON –Wisconsin hunters can help those in need by participating in this year’s early December Antlerless hunt, which will take place from Dec. 8 through 11.

“This is a wonderful opportunity where Wisconsin hunters can enjoy additional hunting opportunities with friends and family, while helping those in need,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp.

The Venison Donation program has provided high quality protein to thousands of needy families all across Wisconsin since 2000. In ten years more than 77,000 hunter-harvested deer have been processed into more than 3.4 million pounds of venison.

It's easy to donate> and costs nothing. Find a participating processor and go hunting! For donating in the CWD zone please view the CWD donation program.

“The program is a winner for families, hunters and wildlife conservation,” said Stepp.

Hunters get to enjoy their sport knowing that the venison won't be wasted; food pantries say it literally flies out of the freezers; and wildlife managers welcome the effect antlerless harvest has on maintaining healthy and balanced deer populations in areas where the deer herd is well over established population goals.

The antlerless deer hunt from Dec. 8 to 11 in regular units is open to hunters with a valid antlerless deer tag for the unit in which they are hunting. Regular unit antlerless tags are still available for many units at $12 each. In heard control units, hunters can purchase as many $2 antlerless tags as they wish. Many deer management units still have antlerless deer carcass tags available.

More hunting opportunities!

The muzzleloader hunt, the December statewide antlerless deer hunt, the holiday hunt in the CWD management zone and the late archery hunt are going on right now or coming up soon.

“We understand there are parts of the state where hunters have seen fewer deer this year,” said Kurt Thiede, DNR division of lands administrator. “This request is being made for areas where hunters are observing more deer, such as areas within the CWD and Herd Control Units.”

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