Special Edition DNR Weekly News Update for November 9, 2017
2017 nine-day gun deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 18
MADISON - Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 18, and Department of Natural Resources staff are enthusiastic about the prospects for 2017.
"We are coming out of a third straight mild winter and a good summer growing season, so as expected we are seeing good to excellent deer numbers throughout most of the state," said DNR big game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang. "The public and County Deer Advisory Councils are also recognizing the increase as is evident by increased antlerless tag availability, especially in some northern counties. So, in general, we are anticipating an overall increase in deer registration this fall."
In 2016, far northern portions of Wisconsin saw an overall gun season increase of approximately 30 percent, while the total deer harvest, including gun, crossbow, and archery, increased by roughly 22 percent.
Archery and crossbow hunting in Wisconsin has continued to become more popular with deer hunters.
Photo Credit: DNR
"In the past, the majority of the annual deer harvest came during the nine-day gun season," Wallenfang said," but for decades there has been a growing percentage of the total fall harvest coming during the early archery seasons. That trend continues as more and more people are turned on by the early archery/crossbow seasons when they can hunt for many more days and in nicer weather, plus during the peak of the rut when the deer are very active."
Wallenfang also noted that hunters need to become familiar with the new deer tagging requirements, baiting restrictions, new treestand rules, and a reduction in the number of buck-only units.
This year marks the third year of electronic deer registration through GameReg. Many hunters who used it in the past are realizing the simplicity and convenience of registering by phone or on their computer or smartphone. Hunters are reminded that registering their deer after harvest is required by 5 p.m. the day following recovery. Those who have not yet used GameReg are encouraged to use a number of resources available to learn more about it and prepare for success. More GameReg information is available online.
Wisconsin's four Deer Management Zones and county-based Deer Management Units have not changed in 2017. DMUs follow county boundaries in most cases, and nine DMUs are split by zone boundaries. DMU and land type-specific antlerless permits are intended to help manage deer populations more closely on each land type with the hope of enhancing hunting experiences on public land.
With each deer hunting license (archery/crossbow and gun), hunters receive one Buck Deer Tag valid statewide. In addition, each license includes one or more Farmland (Zone 2) Antlerless Deer Tag(s) that must be designated for use in a specific zone, DMU and land type (public access or private) at the time of issuance.
Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless tags may not be used in the Northern Forest or Central Forest zones, but bonus antlerless tags may be available for specific DMUs within these zones.
All Bonus Antlerless Deer Tags are zone, DMU and land-type specific. Bonus tags cost $12 for residents, $20 for nonresidents and $5 for youth (ages 10 and 11).
In 2017, four county DMUs, in whole or in part, are designated as buck-only units and include Ashland, Eau Claire, Iron, and Vilas counties within the Northern and Central Forest zones. Only the Buck Deer Tag issued with each deer license is valid in these DMUs, with some exceptions for youth, Class A and C disabled and military hunters.
Hunters are no longer required to validate paper carcass tags or attach them to harvested deer. It is also no longer required to keep the tag with the meat. However, hunters must carry one of the forms of proof of a deer tag. Hunters may show proof of having a valid, unfilled deer tag by providing a conservation warden with their Go Wild card, their authenticated driver's license, paper copies, or an electronic copy on their cell phone. Keep in mind that even with electronic forms of proof of deer tags available, hunters will need the unique tag number to begin the harvest registration process.
For more helpful information, including the following documents, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "deer":
- What's new for the 2017 deer hunt? [PDF]
- Deer 2017 Pocket Guide [PDF]
- Where can you find a place to hunt? [PDF]
- 2017 Deer Hunting Forecast [PDF]
- Tagging Changes FAQ - What You Need to Know [PDF]
- 2016 Registration Stats [PDF]
- Go Wild FAQ [PDF]
- GameReg 101 [PDF]
- 2017 Deer Season Structure Map [PDF]
- First Time Buyer Flyer
- First Deer Certificate
- Connect with DNR on social media and share your fall experience! [PDF]
- Wild Wisconsin 2017 [PDF]
County Deer Advisory Councils play key role in management process
County Deer Advisory Councils play a key role in deer management through the development of recommendations based on annual harvest data and management issues specific to each county. These recommendations help department staff determine annual antlerless quotas, antlerless tag levels and season options.
Department staff would like to thank all CDAC members for their continued commitment to playing an active role in deer herd management in Wisconsin.
Learn on the go this fall with Wild Wisconsin
Easy access to information is the key to a successful hunt, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast and web series - Wild Wisconsin.
Whether you prefer to watch all segments at once, catch one or two on the move, or listen to podcasts during your commute, Wild Wisconsin has it all. Topics range from public land hunting strategies to CWD and what it means for Wisconsin's deer herd.
All segments and podcasts, along with wild game recipes and much more, can be found at dnr.wi.gov, keywords "Wild Wisconsin."
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Smart reminders to ensure another safe hunting season in Wisconsin
Keep some helpful tips in mind to ensure another safe hunting season in Wisconsin
MADISON - It is no accident Wisconsin is known nationally as one of the safest places to hunt deer for the whole family and friends.
"This state is fortunate to have thousands of volunteer hunter education instructors dedicated to keeping everyone safe while enjoying the outdoors," Hunter Education Administrative Warden Jon King said. "And you have to credit the hunters who carry on that safety priority during their own hunts and as mentors. This is what makes Wisconsin a great hunting state - the people."
Wisconsin's culture of hunting safety started a half century ago when the department launched a six-hour course stressing firearm safety. The course was voluntary, and while the impact was not momentous, the number of firearm injuries during the gun deer hunt began to decline.
Then came more change in 1980 when hunters were required to wear blaze orange during gun-deer hunts - and the number of firearm incidents dropped more dramatically. Five years later came the expanded hunter education certification program, which also became mandatory for all hunters in Wisconsin born or after Jan. 1, 1973. About 24,000 are trained every year - and more than a million since the program started.
In 1966 in Wisconsin, the hunting incident rate was 44 injuries for every 100,000 hunters. Now the rate, based on a 10-year-average, is 4.04 incidents per 100,000 hunters, a reduction of more than 90 percent. Wisconsin has experienced five gun-deer seasons free of fatalities -- 1972, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016.
How does Wisconsin keep the safety trend alive? King says more incidents can be prevented by following these four basic principles of firearm safety - known as TABK:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
- Be certain of your target and what is beyond it.
- Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
For tree stand users, here are some easy tips to follow:
- Always use a full-body harness.
- Always unload your firearm while climbing into or out of the stand.
- Maintain three points of contact during the ascent or descent -- two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
Each deer drive should be planned with safety as the top priority, King said. "Everyone involved in the drive should know and understand the plan."
If you plan to participate in a deer drive:
- Review the four firearm safety principles.
- Reconfirm you have positively identified your target.
- Reconfirm you have a safe backstop for your bullet.
- Review and stick to your hunting plan. Make sure all in the hunting party honor it.
Thanks Wisconsin hunters for serving as an example for ethical and safe hunting.
For more information regarding hunter education and tips for safe hunting in Wisconsin, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords "safety tips."
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Hunters reminded registering deer in the correct zone still mandatory for the ongoing and upcoming deer seasons
MADISON - Tagging rules have changed, but registration requirements have not. Lucky hunters are still required to register their harvested deer electronically by 5 p.m. the day after being recovered. The GameReg system is simple, fast and convenient for hunters.
"Since its launch in 2014, most hunters have adjusted well to using the electronic registration options," says Kevin Wallenfang, big game ecologist for the DNR. "The simplicity and convenience has resulted in high compliance of registration requirements, but we also continue to offer walk-in registration opportunities at hundreds of locations around the state."
Hunters have three options for registering:
- online at GameReg. Wi.gov (fastest and easiest option);
- by phone at 1-844-426-3734 (1-844-GAME-REG); or
- at a walk-in registration site where the process will be completed electronically. A full list of registration sites can be found on the department web site.
The GameReg system will prompt hunters to answer a series of questions, beginning with the deer tag number and the hunter's date of birth.
For more information regarding electronic game registration, search "GameReg."
Deer Tags
Even with the recent elimination of the requirement to carry paper deer carcass tags, hunters are still required to carry proof of their deer tags, and fill those tags only within the deer management unit and zone designated on the tag. Hunters have several options as to how they carry proof of their deer tags including paper copies, a DNR issued Conservation Card, a GoWild validated Wisconsin driver's license, or a GoWild digital file as proof of tags. The deer tag number is an important component of registering their deer.
Hunters also no longer are required to validate their tag, attach the tag to their deer or keep their used deer tag after the animal is processed. Hunters are reminded they must know the tag number in order to begin the harvest registration process.