The DNR wants to sell licenses and blast the heck out of the deer herd, but some of us have had enough.
I have joined 17 other landowners in Herd Control Unit 73D to not hunt the October and December seasons. In addition, we will not allow others to hunt our land, the exception is the Youth Hunt. Currently the group has 2465 acres of prime deer habitat and we expect more to join us before October.
I've spent a bit of time the last 6 years researching deer management systems across several states. Specifically in my home state of Wisconsin........because most applicable data and methodology is available to citizens.
I'm curious about your reaction to management in DMU 73D. Here are some statistics from the last 9 years (2001-2009) for DMU 73D.
2001 the DMU was classified at goal population, slightly under goal in 2002, and escalating populations over goal until 2009.....where data isn't available but I suspect still over goal by quite a bit.
2001 - 2009 total registered deer harvest
1669, 1513, 1563, 1586, 2230, 2561, 2788, 2678, 1807
2001 - 2009 registered antlerless as percentage of total
56%, 57%, 48%, 53%, 57%, 65%, 66%, 76%, 60%
2001 - 2009 registered gun bucks
565, 567, 712, 581, 824, 734, 801, 529, 552
2001 - 2009 registered archery bucks
81, 90, 107, 159, 139, 153, 158, 122, 166
At 248 Sq Mi, DMU 73D is one of the smaller units in the state (14th smallest I believe...). That's about 158,720 acres.
There are certainly areas in Wisconsin that are below goal......most obviously in the northeast. Predation and weather are most to blame.
From a management perspective, I guess I don't see the same concerns you do in 73D.
