NRB approves 2019 deer season regulations, including no buck-only units
The Natural Resources Board on Wednesday approved the 2019 Wisconsin deer hunting regulations and harvest quotas exactly as presented by the Department of Natural Resources.
Two items are especially notable relative to the season package: for the first time in 10 years, all 72 counties have antlerless permits available; and more county delegations each year are expressing frustration at failures to reduce deer numbers, a trend highlighted in April by the Buffalo County council's vote for an antlerless-only season.
The absence of buck-only units is an indication of herd growth in northern Wisconsin, according to the DNR.
At least one management unit prohibited antlerless permits each year since 2009, said Jeff Pritzl, DNR wildlife supervisor.
The herd in much of the state was intentionally reduced through the 2000s with liberal hunting regulations, including Earn-A-Buck, in an effort to meet deer population goals established in administrative rule.
Then several tough winters, including 2013-14, the harshest on record with an average Winter Severity Index of 143, took a toll on deer numbers in the north.
For comparison, this past winter had an average WSI of 61.
The milder winters in recent years, combined with conservative hunting regulations that reduced doe harvest, have led to increasing deer populations in northern counties.
All of the state's local deer advisory councils voted to offer at least some anterless permits this year,
But in the farmland region, frustration is growing over the inability of rules to reduce deer numbers.
Twenty-nine counties this year added a Holiday Hunt, up from 19 in 2018, Pritzl said.
Further, 22 counties added a monthlong extension to the bow seasons, up from 12 last year, and 17 counties increased the number of antlerless tags offered to hunters, topped by Shawano County, where six free antlerless tags are provided with each license.
Despite the plethora of tags, counties with "decrease" as their 3-year deer population objective have failed to meet their goals.
The Buffalo County Deer Advisory Council voted for an antlerless-only season, a move that was later overruled by the DNR. The county will instead have the same format it had in 2018, including a Holiday Hunt but no extended bow season.
"It was a plea for help," said Mark Noll, chairman of the Buffalo County CDAC. "We're trying to do what's right for the resource, but none of the tools we have reduced the herd."
The Buffalo County CDAC's attempt has spurred new discussions about what can be done to help county delegations meet their goals, including restoring Earn-A-Buck or adding other tools.
At Wednesday's meeting, George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, thought Earn-ABuck could gain acceptance with hunters with some changes.
At least 11 CDAC's have expressed a desire to use Earn-A-Buck.
The regulation, which required a hunter to shoot an antlerless deer before earning authorization to shoot a buck, was prohibited by a 2011 state law change. It would need Legislative action to be reinstated.
Other ideas, such as a few days of antSixth and final turkey hunting period ends.
June 1-2
Free fishing weekend Smallmouth bass harvest season opens in northern zone. Lake Michigan yellow perch season opens.
lerless-only hunting during the gun deer season, would require an administrative rule change, Pritzl said.
A brochure of the final 2019 Wisconsin deer hunting regulations is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
Elk application deadline looms: Friday is the last day for submitting applications for the 2019 Wisconsin elk hunting season.
The DNR will issue four elk tags through a random drawing. In addition, one will be awarded through a separate raffle administered by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Only Wisconsin residents are eligible to receive a permit in both systems. Each costs $10 to enter.
Five elk tags will also be distributed to members of the six Chippewa bands in Wisconsin.
Only bull elk may be targeted and the hunt is restricted to animals in the Clam Lake area, where the northern Wisconsin herd was reestablished in 1995.
The 2019 elk season will be open from Oct. 12 to Nov. 10 and Dec. 12 to 20.
To enter the DNR drawing, visit gowild.wi.gov. Winners of the four tags will be notified by the DNR in June.
To enter the RMEF lottery, visit rmef.org. The RMEF tag winner will be drawn June 1 at the RMEF state banquet in Rothschild.