CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist, 608-261-7589
MADISON – County Deer Advisory Councils met in each county in March, and preliminary antlerless deer quotas, tag levels, and season structure recommendations for the 2018 deer hunting season are now available for review and comment.
An online public comment period will be open through April 12 to collect feedback on the preliminary recommendations. To view each county’s recommendations and provide feedback, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “CDAC.”
Antlerless quota recommendations and hunter success rates from previous hunts help determine the number of antlerless tags available for the 2018 deer hunting season, and help Department of Natural Resources staff and councils work to reach deer population objectives within each county.
“The impact that CDACs are having on deer hunting in Wisconsin is impressive and growing,” said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist. “The public has a real voice in local deer management, and the council members weigh their decisions heavily on public feedback – if you have an interest in helping to shape the deer season in your county, this is an important opportunity.”
CDACs consider a variety of factors, like harvest data, population trends, and winter severity to form harvest objective and tag level recommendations.
After the public comment period has ended, each council will reconvene April 16-19 to evaluate public feedback and determine final recommendations for 2018 deer seasons, which will be reviewed and adopted by the Natural Resources Board in May.
All council meetings are open to the public and provide the opportunity for attendees to address the council. Meeting details for each county can be found at keyword “CDAC.”
