Last Updated: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 2:54 PM CDT
Outdoors : Deer season forecast - larger herd than usual
Madison - Deer hunting is a mainstay of Wisconsin's long conservation legacy and there will be terrific deer hunting opportunity statewide again this fall, according to state wildlife biologists across the state.
A very mild winter across the north and abundant food and habitat in nearly every corner of the state has produced a herd that is quite a bit larger than it should be. Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists estimate that the herd will number between 1.6 and 1.8 million animals going into the fall 2007-08 seasons - even after a harvest of over a half million deer (506,947) in the 2006-07 seasons.
“In Wisconsin we are lucky to have dedicated conservationist-hunters who not only provide valuable input to deer management policy but also, through their efforts in the field every fall, help keep Wisconsin's herd in balance with the ecosystem,” said Keith Warnke, DNR big game ecologist. “Hunters helped design the seasons we have in place to manage the deer herd. Through their hard work, we have a December gun hunt statewide, a long archery season, a nine day regular gun season and an early youth hunt opportunity.”
Ecological impacts of high deer populations
Wisconsin's deer population is about 70 percent over goal. All these deer must eat and deer browsing can cause long term (perhaps permanent) changes to the variety of plant species in the forests. In a heavily grazed habitat, the tree, shrub and other plant species preferred by deer decline in abundance after years of heavy browsing. Altering the types of plants on the landscape will result in lower deer populations (and less hunting opportunity) in the future and could cause a decline of other species (birds, mammals and reptiles) that depend on habitats that are no longer available as a result of heavy deer browsing.
Overabundant deer populations cause other impacts as well. DNR figures indicated there are 40,000 to 50,000 deer-vehicle collisions in Wisconsin every year. (The Wisconsin Department of Transportation also compiles deer-vehicle collision figures, which are lower, because they only include collisions resulting in reportable damage to vehicles.) These encounters are costly for the vehicle owners and create a roadside mess that must be cleaned up. At the worst, deer-vehicle collisions can result in injury or death to motorists.
Wisconsin farmers claimed over $1.5 million in crop damage caused by deer in 2005. Estimates of total crop damage are much higher. In addition to the financial loss suffered by farmers, hunters also pay - it is their dollars that pay the damage claims. Lower deer numbers would no doubt reduce crop losses say biologists and agriculture officials.
“Recreational deer hunting is far and away the most effective way to manage deer populations,” said Warnke. “It is also a foundation of tradition, wise management and conservation of our natural resources. The next generation of hunters will need a conservation legacy of sound, cooperative deer herd management and we all must keep working to pass that legacy along.
See Deer, Page 7B
“Consider taking a son, daughter, niece, nephew or friend of the family out during the October 6 and 7 youth hunt. Future support for hunting and hunters is dependent on our youth and society's perception that hunting results in a properly managed deer herd, ethical and safe hunting and not simply record harvests.”
2007 Season Dates
Archery:
* September 15 - November 17
* November 26 - January 6, 2008
NOTE: Archery harvests in all units are restricted to antlerless only December 6 - 9.
Gun:
* Regular Gun: November 17 - 25
* Muzzleloader: November 26 - December 5
* Herd Control hunt: December 6 - 9 (statewide antlerless only)
* Youth Gun Hunt: October 6 - 7
* Disabled Hunt: October 6 - 14
Disease Eradication Zone (DEZ):
* Archery: September 15 - January 6
* Early Gun: October 13 - 21
* Late Gun: November 17 - December 9
Herd Reduction Zone (HRZ):
* Archery: September 15 - January 6
* Early Gun: October 18 - 21
* Late Gun: November 17 - December 9
NOTE: All CWD units are unlimited earn-a-buck for the entire 2007 season except for the Youth Gun Deer Hunt.
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On the court: Volleyball keeps Rhinelander senior Beka Morton busy year round. Morton is an integral part of the Hodags' volleyball team during the fall season and then in November she turns her attention to a club team. This past year, Morton played through Wisconsin Ice in Wausau. She was the Hodags' team MVP in 2006 and was also an all-conference honorable mention recipient. Morton plans to play volleyball next year when she goes off to college. She would like to play at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, but she's been communicating with other colleges, including Edgewood College, the University of Wisconsin-Osh Kosh, Carroll College and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. READ MORE >
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