2010 Hunting Forecast
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
In this issue:
Click on any topic
2 Deer Forecast
By Jason Fleener, Assistant By Sharon Fandel, Acting
Big Game Biologist
Deer Season Forecast...................................................2
What’s New in 2010?...................................................4
Season Dates................................................................5
2010 Deer Management Unit Map..............................7
Fall Deer Hunter – Wildlife Observation Survey........8
Venison Donation Program..........................................9
Update on Investing in Wisconsin Whitetails............10
New Web Page Tracks Deer Research Projects.........12
Deer Management Units in 2010...............................13
Regular Units.........................................................13
Herd Control Units.................................................14
Metro Units............................................................14
State Park Units......................................................14
New Email Alert Service...........................................15
Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone............16
Deer Impacts on Motorists.........................................19
Lowdown on Lead.....................................................19
Regional Deer Season Forecasts................................20
Northern Region.....................................................20
West Central Region .............................................21
Northeastern Region..............................................22
Southeast Region....................................................... 23
South Central Region.............................................24 Mink. Muskrat and Fox.............................................45
25 Bear Forecast
By Linda Olver
Assistant Big Game Biologist
By Doug Fendry, Area Supervisor...................................... 2
Bear Season Forecast.................................................25
2010 Season Dates.....................................................25
Northern Region Bear Forecast.................................26
Northeastern Region Bear Forecast...........................26
West Central Region Bear Forecast...........................27
Questions about anything in this
fall hunting forecast?
Design by Holly Robertson
28 UPLAND GAME FORECAST
Upland Game Biologist
Upland Game Forecast...............................................28
Ring-Necked Pheasant...............................................28
Turkey........................................................................30
Ruffed Grouse............................................................32
Sharp-tailed Grouse...................................................34
Bobwhite Quail..........................................................36
Gray & Fox Squirrel..................................................37
Cottontail Rabbit........................................................37
38 furbearer Forecast
By John Olson, Furbearer
Biologist
Furbearer Season Forecast.........................................38
Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Trapping....39
Beaver........................................................................40
Raccoon......................................................................41
Otter...........................................................................42
Fisher.........................................................................43
Bobcat........................................................................44
Coyote........................................................................46
Gray Wolves...............................................................47
The American (Pine) Marten.....................................48
49 Waterfowl Forecast
By Kent Van Horn,
Waterfowl Biologist
Wetland Conditions....................................................49
Ducks - Continentally & in Wisconsin......................50
Blue-Winged Teal/Wood Ducks & Mallards.............51
Migratory Bird Hunters: Don’t forget to be HIP........51
Canada Geese.............................................................52
Early Canada Goose Season......................................53
Woodcock..................................................................53
Mourning Dove..........................................................54
Youth Waterfowl Hunt - Sept. 18 -19........................54
Deer Season Forecast
goal from the previous winter, zone last year also allowed Regardless of statewide or
a decision for a zero antlerless all hunters to take bucks DMU level deer popula-
quota (bucks only hunting) and pass on antlerless deer. tions and expectations,
would be influenced by lo- Hunters who will be hunting hunters are reminded that
In the months leading up to cal public input and the local in former earn-a-buck units deer abundance on the
the 2010 deer season, hunters biologist. may notice an increase in the property or local level often
across the state will anx- number of antlerless deer and does not reflect deer popu-
iously await for their favorite In 2010, 19 DMUs in the
fewer mature bucks this year. lation trends on the larger
time of year. Time spent hon- northern forest will have
scale. Pre-season scouting
ing shooting skills, readying buck-only hunting during the Areas in the state hit hard
and discussions with neigh-
equipment and scouting the archery and gun deer sea- by winter in 2007-2008 and
bors will give hunters a bet-
land for deer sign are enjoy- sons (see “2010 Deer Season 2008-2009, may experience
ter expectation of the hunt
able and can pay off when Structure” map). Some excep- a depression in the num-
in their hunting area.
the season opens. Bonds with tions may apply to qualified ber of deer in the 2-3 year
family and friends strengthen members of the U.S. Armed old age class this year. Old Stakeholder Interaction
during the deer season as old Forces who are home on fur- Man Winter lessened its grip A lot has happened over the
traditions continue and new lough or leave, Class A and C throughout most of the state last year in the deer man-
ones begin. And of course, Photo by Ryan Brady disabled permit hunters, first this year, which resulted in agement world. In 2009,
everyone is wondering what time hunter education gradu- increased winter survival two stakeholder advisory
levels) are thought to have Zone, which will again have ates, and agricultural damage rates and birth rates. In many panels prepared recom-
the season will bring.
played the biggest roles. unlimited earn-a-buck regula- permits (see 2010 Deer Hunt- areas, hunters may notice mendations to the Natural
The 2009 deer season ended Current deer populations tions intended to meet deer ing Regulations booklet for more does with twin fawns Resources Board and the
with a statewide registered vary throughout the state. population goals and disease details). The December 9-12 this fall. Snow melt also oc- DNR. The first group’s
harvest of approximately The 2010 hunting season will management objectives. antlerless-only hunt will still curred earlier this year than objective was to review the
330,000 deer. This would be be outlined by roughly half be held statewide, however, in normal, resulting in earlier state’s deer management
While herd control has been
a remarkable harvest by the of the DMUs in a herd con- the nineteen units where zero green-up and good lactation. unit (DMU) post-hunt pop-
the primary statewide focus
standards of many states, but trol season structure where antlerless tags are available, ulation goals and bound-
over the last decade, herd While these observations
fell short of some hunter’s deer population estimates are only hunters who qualify un- aries. After considering
growth is actually the primary are promising, it should be
expectations based on Wis- currently 20% or more above der the exceptions listed above public feedback, the panel
objective throughout much kept in mind that local fawn
consin’s popu- will be eligible to hunt. recommended increasing
of northeast Wisconsin for
previous In 2010, 19 DMUs in the north- lation recruitment into the fall
deer population goals in
2010. Herd growth in a DMU Statewide Outlook population is variable, as
5-year ern forest will have buck only goals. is achieved if the total deer 12 DMUs and reducing
annual Following a review of popula- they may be impacted by lo-
hunting during the archery and The harvest plus all other mortality tion goals that included exten- cal predator populations and
goals in 3. After Natural
harvest Resources Board approval,
average gun deer seasons other is less than the total number sive public input and legisla- other sources of mortality
legislative committees re-
half of of fawns recruited into the fall tive review deer population and that the combination of
of 492,000 deer. quested additional changes
the DMUs are going to be in population. The strategy for goals were increased in 43 conservative antlerless har-
a regular unit season struc- herd growth is to have a very to goals. As a result, the
Several factors likely con- units this year. The end results vest opportunities in regular
ture where deer populations small antlerless harvest quota department suggested goal
tributed to the lower harvest. are season structures and per- units along with no earn-a-
are currently near or below or a bucks-only hunt. increases to 43 DMUs
A reduced deer population mit levels that will be aimed buck outside of CWD zones
established goals. Twenty- and decreases to 2 DMUs,
and a reduction in antlerless toward a more conservative may result in a harvest below
In DMUs where the post-hunt which were subsequently
harvest (no earn-a-buck out- two deer managements in antlerless harvest. The elimi- the 10-year average.
population was more than approved. A number of
side CWD units, fewer herd southern Wisconsin make nation of earn-a-buck outside
20% below the population units with deer population
control units, lower permit up the CWD Management of the CWD management
2 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 3
Continued from page 3 Season Dates
goal increases will be affect- above population goals at the the state and how passionate Archery:
ed this year with a change request of the legislature and Wisconsin deer hunters are Sept. 18 – Nov. 18
in season structure and a Natural Resources Board. The about their hobby. At that Nov. 29 – Jan. 9, 2011
reduced antlerless harvest panel provided 3 alternative time, preliminary harvest NOTE: Archery harvests in all CWD and Herd Control units are restricted to antlerless-only
quota. Higher goals and in- packages with varying hunting results were in from the 2009 during Oct. 14 – 17, and in all units statewide Dec. 9-12 with valid carcass tags (deer hunt-
creasingly conservative ant- regulations and season dates hunting season, which sug- ing will not be allowed in non-quota areas and state parks located outside of the CWD Man-
lerless harvest strategies will intended to increase antler- gested deer populations were agement Zone).
initially result in fewer deer less harvest in units where it nearing goals across much
harvested in those units. is needed. The primary com- of the state. This lead to Gun:
ponent to these packages was the DNR dropping the EAB Regular Gun: Nov. 20 – 28
Another stakeholder panel Muzzleloader: Nov. 29 - Dec. 8
a 16-day gun deer season in alternative proposals. Thank
met to seek alternatives to Early Antlerless-Only Gun Hunt: Oct. 14 - 17 (CWD and Herd Control units)
November. After an online you to all of those who pro-
earn-a-buck (EAB) regula- Late Antlerless-Only Gun Hunt: Dec. 9 - 12 (statewide with valid carcass tags)
comment process and public vided input during the com-
tions for deer management Holiday Gun Hunt: Dec. 24- Jan. 9, 2011 (CWD units only, earn-a-buck regulations apply)
hearings, it was clear how vari- ment period.
units that are substantially Youth Gun Hunt: Oct. 9 – 10
able the opinions were across
Disabled Gun Hunt: Oct. 2 – 10 (qualified disabled permit hunters on sponsored properties
only)
What’s New in 2010? NOTE: Hunters are reminded that coyote hunting is closed in approximately the northern
There are a number of rule and regulation changes this year, that may be of interest to hunters. third of the state if any gun or muzzleloader deer hunt is in progress. See the 2010 Wisconsin
Changes will be printed in the “What’s New in 2010” section of the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunt- Deer Hunting or Small Game Regulations for the southern boundary of the closed area. The
ing Regulations booklet. Most notable changes include: coyote hunting season will remain open during the two-day youth gun deer hunt on Oct. 9 –
10 and during the disabled gun deer hunt on Oct. 2 – 10. As with all hunting seasons, hunters
• The “Archery Antlerless Carcass Tag” is no longer valid in all units statewide. Instead, the are reminded to be absolutely sure of their target before they shoot. Mistakes in identifica-
tag will be valid only in units with an established antlerless quota. See the 2010 Deer Season tion can be very costly.
Structure Map to find “regular-buck only units” where this tag is not valid.
October Antlerless-Only Gun Deer Hunt:
• There is no longer a three day waiting period to use archery licenses purchased during the There will be a 4-day October 14-17 antlerless-only hunt (formerly called the T-Zone hunt)
open archery season. in 2010. This hunt will be in effect for all CWD and Herd Control units. During this hunt,
• The use of rifles for firearm deer hunting is now legal: south of highway 170 in Dunn County, only antlerless deer may be legally harvested by both gun and archery hunters within these
west of highway J in the southwest corner of Shawano County, and in the Waupaca County units. Archery deer hunters must also wear blaze orange if they
portion of Hartman Creek State Park. See the firearms restrictions map in the 2010 Wisconsin are bow hunting from Oct. 14-17. In addition, all turkey and
Deer Hunting Regulations. Hunters are also encouraged to check with local authorities to see small game hunters, with the exception of waterfowl hunters, are
if there are any firearm restrictions different than the state’s. required to meet blaze orange requirements during this time. In
• A hunting season during the nine day firearm deer season has been established at both White- “Regular” units, no game hunters will be required to wear blaze
fish Dunes State Park and Potawatomi State Park. orange during these 4 days, and archery deer hunters may har-
vest deer of either sex if they have valid tags. In CWD units,
• To facilitate removal from the field, hunters may divide a deer into no more than five parts
this hunt will be a good opportunity to earn a buck authorization
(e.g. four quarters plus the head attached to the spinal column and rib cage).
sticker which can be used to tag a buck later during the archery,
• Non-residents 65 years and older may use a crossbow during any archery deer season without 9-day gun, muzzleloader, or Holiday gun seasons within the Photo by Dave Og
inski
a special permit authorizing its use. CWD Management Zone.
• Magnifying scopes will be permitted on muzzleloaders during the designated 10 day state-
wide muzzleloader deer season, Nov. 29 – Dec. 8.
4 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 5
Statewide December Antlerless-Only Gun Deer Hunt:
The four-day December antlerless-only deer hunt will be held Dec. 9-12, 2010. Unlike the 2010 Deer Management Unit Map
October antlerless-only gun hunt, this hunt will take place in all DMUs statewide, except
state parks outside of the CWD Management Zone, and non-quota areas. Hunters will need 79

to possess or be in a group that has at least one antlerless deer carcass tag valid for the unit BAYFIELD

which they will be hunting in. Unit specific tags will not be available for nineteen regular Port Wing 78

2010 Deer Season Structure

Madeline
1M Superior
Island
A 3
units in northern Wisconsin (see 2010 Deer Season Structure map), so very few hunters will
Camp Amnicon Rd.
105 Z U
35 C A
1 13 2 2 7

be eligible to take part in the antlerless hunt under the authority of other carcass tags. All
2 Ashland Bad River
B
Indian
53 FR 223
Reservation Hurley
Moose
4 A
N
Delta-Drummond Rd.

gun and archery deer hunters, and small game hunters are required to meet blaze orange re-
Rd. 63 D Bad River
M 27 6 169
28 51 Presque Isle
IRON
M
8 9 13
34
quirements during this hunt statewide.
DOUGLAS B
77
FF
WASHBURN
77 63
SAWYER
GG 13 F
47
51
M
K
35 VILAS
77
13 ASHLAND
182
29B USFS
29A 45 2176

Youth Gun Deer Hunt

53 A
11 27
14 36
BURNETT 35 63 12 USFS 144 70
70 2
Florence
10 Spooner M
70
USFS
ONEIDA D
39 139 40 52A
70 51
50
The eighth annual Youth Gun Deer Hunt will be Oct. 9-10, 2010. This special hunt was
FR 2178
70 132 101 Council Grounds State Park
253 17 C
70
W
FLORENCE
15 18 20 30 31 37 17 32
MARINETTE 57D
53 48 19 38 G

established to get youth involved in hunting under conditions with low hunting pressure, in a
8 141
BARRON
13
D
L
8 Rhinelander 8 Rib Mountain State Park
48 V M 55 8
F 8
87
16 B 27 8
D LINCOLN Crandon 41
51 17
45
safe and educational setting. The hunt will be held in all DMUs statewide, except State Park St. Croix
Falls 8
63
22 W 8
73
PRICE
25
86
Tomahawk
32
86

52
Q G 44
32
FOREST C
81

24
102
49B
and non-quota areas. 21
53
RUSK 23 D 17 55
F
180 Chambers
43

Parkway Rd.
A 13
42 49A

River
POLK CHIPPEWA 47 Island
ST. CROIX 63 26 141 51A
45 82
64 22A 64 Merrill 64 LANGLADE 32

Wisconsin
64 64 64
Houlton
65
170
40 73 TAYLOR
MARATHON 47
MENOMINEE Marinette 80C
33 AA

Resident and non-resident youth hunters ages 12 to 15 who have successfully completed 60M 60B 53 48 Peninsula
Wausau
46 51B State Park
128
Chippewa 29
27 29
45
Oconto
80A
Falls 29 47 47 HH
H 22

a hunter education program and possess a gun deer hunting license may participate in this
59B 13
57
107
29 Eau
59A 73 51 29
Shawano
63B
Claire
58 153
49 Ship Canal
Prescott
60A CC 27 98 M 57A 62A OCONTO DOOR

hunt. Also, any youth 10-11 years of age, or those 12-15 year olds who have not completed
DUNN 93 39 22 117 Green
EAU SHAWANO
PEPIN Bay
10 CLAIRE 12 WOOD PORTAGE WAUPACA 32 BROWN KEWAUNEE
PIERCE S R Marshfield 10
10 62B 80B
57B
a hunter education program, may participate in the youth hunt under the “Mentored Hunting
Maiden Rock 10 OUTAGAMIE
BUFFALO 64M P

TREMPEALEAU
JACKSON
186 A
Stevens 10 161
93 73
Point 22 63A 47 U 141
61 CLARK 73
65B 29
57C
Program” guidelines. Qualified youth hunters may harvest one buck deer using their Gun
23A 55 Z Wis. A
G MM BB
Brunet Island State Park
121 59C 27
Rapids 51 41 41 96 R

ZZ 56 53
13 D
AA 110
96 Appleton
MANITOWOC 64A High Cliff
State Park
Buck Deer Carcass Tag and additional antlerless deer with the appropriate carcass tag. Earn-
53 73 39 55
O JUNEAU ADAMS WAUSHARA WINNEBAGO
Black 80
65A Menasha Two Rivers

CALUMET
94 22
Neenah 64
59E Lake Wissota State Park
River 173 49
66
a-Buck restrictions do NOT apply in CWD units if the Gun Buck Deer Carcass Tag is used
71 EW Manitowoc
35
LA CROSSE Fort
21 Oshkosh
21 21 X
73 H
59D McCoy
MARQUETTE
67B
during the youth gun deer hunt.
44

W is c o n s
61A Perrot State Park 35
90
M
N 90 54A 23
42
Trempealeau O 27 94 SHEBOYGAN
A 51
59 OA 72 67A 23 32
54B

in
16 14 61 Fond Du Lac
M YY
33
MONROE
W O
82 82 39 C
69 Sheboygan
Lake
68A

GREEN
La Crosse K 14 G 12 54C Puckaway 73

LAKE
Brinkman 61 VERNON 23 H 175 A
FOND DU LAC
Ridge Rd. KW 77E Kohler-Andrae
Youth hunters must be accompanied by a 74A 82
33
SAUK 70E 44 DODGE AW 49 K
State Park
72A Wildcat Mountain State Park 58 54B Ri v e
r
CWD 33
WASHINGTON 57
RICHLAND CWD 22
G 68B 69C Harrington Beach
parent or an adult guardian. A 10-15 year old De Soto
82
61 154
136
70B 70G 73 144 A
77M State Park
71 CWD 16
CWD
CRAWFORD CWD 12 51

MILWAUKEE OZAUKEE
COLUMBIA 60
70FCWD Natural Bridge State Park
hunting under the mentored hunting program 70 Sauk Columbus
130
74B River
CWD
City
DANE 11
113
67 175

78
KM 19
151 JEFFERSON WAUKESHA 74 77D Loew Lake Unit -
guidelines must be at arm’s reach from an 73E
16
77C Kettle Moraine
nsin 130 70A P Madison
90 73 BB
State Forest
sco 61 CWD CWD 76M 76A Waukesha F
Wi
Prairie du Chien 73D 23 CWD AB
CWD 18
Milwaukee

adult mentor. No more than 2 youth hunters

18 151
18 164 Y
Patch Dodgeville
75C 76
69
B E 77C 36
MM
Grove 61
73B 80 CWD CWD CC 14 51 CWD 45
73A Wyalusing State Park 92

may be accompanied by an adult. Adults 133

CWD IOWA
59 WALWORTH RACINE
G
69
81 59
73B C
77B Racine
77A
89 43 CWD
75A
supervising youth hunters may not gun
Cassville 104
75D 81
CWD CWD 94
80 CWD 78 Kenosha
T 14
70C CWD Governor Dodge State Park GRANT

deer hunt while accompanying or mentor-

LAFAYETTE GREEN Beloit ROCK KENOSHA
alvorsen

ESL 6/2010

75B CWD Yellowstone State Park 70D CWD Blue Mound State Park

ing a youth. Herd Control Unit

Harvey H

CWD Unit - With Unlimited Earn-a-Buck Regulations

All deer, turkey and small game hunters, Regular Unit - Limited Number of Antlerless Deer Tags Available
Photo by

with the exception of waterfowl hunters, Regular Unit - Bucks Only. See pages 11 and 12 for exceptions.
are required to meet blaze orange require-
Non - Quota Areas (Ft. McCoy and units 48, 79, and 82)
ments on these two days statewide. For more information on the
Oct. 14-17 Antlerless only deer hunt* in herd control and CWD units only
youth hunt, check the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations. Dec. 9-12 Antlerless only deer hunt* in all units statewide, except non-quota areas and state parks
* Antlerless only restrictions apply to both gun and archery hunters

6 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 7

In 2009, an online reporting
system was launched, which
allowed deer hunters to report
what they were seeing out in
the field. Many hunters took
advantage of this opportunity
and observations from rough-
ly 20,000 hunting trips were
reported. The countless hours
put into the field by hunters
are a valuable source of infor-
mation for creating indices of
wildlife presence and abun-
dance throughout the state.
Wisconsin Summer Deer Observation (Fawn Watch) Survey
The summer of 2010 will
mark two significant changes
to Wisconsin’s summer deer
observation survey. First,
no July data will be col-
lected in accordance with
recommendations made
by the SAK audit and,
beginning in 2010, the
public will also be
involved in report-
ing observations. An
online summer deer obser-
vation survey from the DNR
website has been created to
gather observation data. This
online survey is modeled after
the fall deer hunter - wildlife
survey, which was launched in
2009. These surveys increase
the data pool which biologists
utilize to make sound man-
agement decisions.
8 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Fall Deer Hunter – Wildlife Observation Survey
Data collected will become
more meaningful as the num-
ber of survey years increases to
show wildlife population and
distribution trends over time.
The more hunting trips reported
by deer management unit, the
more significant the data will
become. Final results from the
2009 web survey can be found
online.
The online wildlife observation
reporting system will once again
This survey has traditionally
been conducted from July
1 – September 30 by DNR,
USFWS, USFS, and USDA
field staff since 1960. During
daylight hours, deer are identi-
fied by sex and age (fawn or
adult) and are recorded by date
and Deer Management Unit
(DMU). The most critical data
obtained from the survey is
be available for the 2010 deer
hunting season from Septem-
ber 18 – January 9, 2011. We
hope archery and gun deer
hunters from all corners of the
state continue to take part in
the survey and for new hunt-
ers to begin participating.
A field observation sheet is
available for hunters to keep
track of their observations
throughout the season, so they
can enter their data at a later
time.
the average fawn to doe ratio.
Fawn:doe ratios are calcu-
lated according to groupings
of DMUs with similar habitat
and deer density goals. This
ratio is an input to the Sex-
Age-Kill (SAK) population
model, and is adjusted yearly
in the Northern and Central
Forest Regions.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
Venison Donation Program
Wisconsin’s Venison Donation Program
is a partnership between local charitable
organizations, counties, the Department of
Natural Resources, meat processors and
hunters. This effort has provided high qual-
ity protein to thousands of families over the
years. In addition to donating deer to the
program, since 2002 hunters have chipped
in an additional $123,000 to the pantry
program on top of the fee they pay for deer
harvest permits.
2009 marked 10th anniversary of Wis-
consin’s Venison Donation Program. In
10 years the program distributed over 3.1
million pounds of ground venison from
nearly 70,000 deer donated by hunters,
processed by participating meat processors
and distributed by volunteers to state food
pantries.
“Wisconsin’s venison donation program is
an important effort that provides high qual-
ity food to Wisconsin families in need,”
Department of Natural Resources Secre-
tary Matt Frank said. “This program has
been very popular. I encourage hunters to
continue this charitable effort by bagging a
deer for food pantries.”
In 10 years the program distributed
over 3.1 million pounds of ground
venison from nearly 70,000 deer
donated by hunters
A list of participating meat processors is
available on the DNR Web site and search-
able by county.
Rules of the program are simple. Hunters
harvest, tag, field dress and register a deer
same as they always have. After registra-
tion the hunter can drop off the carcass at a
participating processor. There is no cost to
the hunter other than transporting the car-
cass. Hunters are advised to call ahead to a
processor to check on business hours and if
the processor currently has space to accept
the carcass.
Back to Top 9
 Update on Investing in Wisconsin Whitetails
What’s Up With Research
In February 2010 the Department of Natu-
ral Resources announced that it was direct-
ing roughly $2 million in one-time Pittman-
Robertson funds toward white-tailed deer
research. Descriptions of the research proj-
ects including how you can get involved are
available on the DNR website.
The primary objective of the effort is to fully
implement the recommendations of the 2006
audit of the sex-age-kill population model
and gain a better understanding of causes of
fawn and buck mortality, including the roles
of predators, habitat and weather. Additional
projects will examine aerial deer survey
techniques and hunter recruitment and reten-
tion.
So, what’s been happening
since last February ? tion method which is used in earn-a-buck
Buck Mortality, Fawn Mortality
and Recruitment
These studies will capture, radio collar and
ear tag bucks and does. In addition, adult
does will be fitted with vaginal implant
transmitters that will signal when a doe gives
birth so her fawns can be captured and ra-
dio collared. All radio collared deer will be
followed and studied for causes of mortality,
including predators, environmental condi-
tions and hunters. Also:
• Two study areas have been selected; one in
the northern forest including parts of Saw-
yer, Price, Rusk and Ashland counties and
one in the eastern farmland in parts of Out-
agamie, Waupaca, Shawano, Oconto and
Brown counties
Article by Christopher Jacques, DNR research scientist
10
? Over 160 individuals have signed on as volunteer field
• Wisconsin Conservation Congress is mov-
ing forward rapidly contacting landowners
in the study areas seeking permissions for
access and cooperation in the research ef-
forts
• Over 160 volunteers have signed up to par-
ticipate in field work
• A research website has been developed
• Roughly 50 box traps have been built by
Whitetails Unlimited out of Marshfield
• AFL-CIO members are finalizing plans to
build about 100 netted-cage traps
Distance Sampling
This study is looking at other ways to sample
deer populations that could be used as a
check against the department’s POP2 estima-
deer management units. The technique
involves flying survey lines in fixed wing
aircraft and recording deer sightings from the
air. The following has been done:
• Survey lines were flown during the winter
of 2009-10
• Scientists are looking at the aerial counts
and are at work developing adjustments
to the technique for Wisconsin terrain and
ground cover
Photo: deer counting via aerial survey
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
So you want to be a volunteer?
workers for the buck mortality, predation and fawn re-
cruitment studies. More will be needed as these studies
will run for three to five years. So what does a volunteer
do? Here are a few tasks and services you could be
asked to perform:
• Help build deer traps
• Raise or donate funds for trap building materials
• If you are a landowner in a study area, allow traps to be placed on your property and access to
the traps for monitoring
• Transporting, placing, setting up and monitoring traps
• Participate in processing deer captured through winter helicopter net gunning and ground
trapping efforts
• At a trap site participate in weighing, sampling blood, aging, ear tagging and collaring deer
• Locating newborn fawns for weighing, ear tagging, sexing and collaring
• Locating deer when collars give off mortality signals and determining cause of death
If this interests you the department can use your help. At a minimum you should be prepared
to provide a full day’s work; most of the time you’ll be paired with a department or University
researcher. In each study area scientists estimate it will take at least 4-5 five days of helicopter
net-gunning and 10 weeks of ground trapping each winter to capture and tag (radio collars, ear
tags) enough deer to accomplish research goals.
“This is boots-on-the ground, hands-on deer research,” says DNR deer researcher Chris
Jacques, “and we’ll likely be cold and dirty and tired at the end of the day, but it’s a real contri-
bution to our knowledge of deer in Wisconsin.”
Click here to fill out the volunteer sign up form.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 11
New Web Page Tracks Deer Research Projects
Staying on top of develop- of population trends. The
projects were requested by
ments and progress in Wis-
consin’s $2 million invest- hunters and a scientific re-
ment in deer research is only view panel of North Ameri-
a mouse-click away at a new can wildlife experts.
“White-tailed Deer Research Volunteers are already step-
Projects” page on the Depart-
ping up to help with the
ment of Natural Resources work. The Marshfield chapter
website. On this page you of Whitetails Unlimited has
can register for updates, us- already constructed approxi-
ing the link on the right side mately 50 box-style deer
of the page. traps (See related story) The
When the White-tailed Deer traps will be used to tag and
Research Projects page is or collar deer as part of the
updated, subscribers will re- predation study.
ceive an e-mail alerting them
By early fall, DNR expects
to new information posted on
that members of the pipefit-
the page.
ters and sheet metal work-
The White-tailed Deer Re- ers’ unions of the AFL-CIO
search Projects page will will be gearing up to build
keep subscribers up-to-date a second type of deer trap,
on four research efforts one that requires some metal
designed to improve the fabrication skills as part of
accuracy of estimating Wis- the AFL-CIO’s “Boots on
consin’s deer population and the Ground” program. Boots
gain a better understanding on the Ground is an effort to
The four research projects include:
Estimating the
survival rate of
bucks
Predator impacts
on deer popula-
tions
12
link skilled labor with need-
ed conservation projects.
Researchers from DNR,
University of Wisconsin-
Madison – Department of
Wildlife Ecology, UW’s
Applied Population Labora-
tory and the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point
are all involved in parts of
the research. The Wisconsin
Conservation Congress and
Whitetails Unlimited are
also involved in the effort.
Additional volunteers are
needed to participate in deer
capture, placing radio col-
lars on captured deer, and
monitoring survival status
and seasonal movements of
collared deer.
FOR MORE INFORMA-
TION CONTACT: Christo-
pher Jacques, DNR research
scientist – (608) 221-6358
Aerial deer survey
techniques
Human dimensions re-
search to better under-
stand factors contribut-
ing to declining hunter
numbers
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Deer Management Units in 2010
Deer populations are at or near goal in these
deer management units. For the 2010 season,
most Regular units will have a limited number
of Unit Specific Antlerless Deer Carcass Tags
available.
Antlerless tags for odd numbered Regular
units go on sale beginning at noon on Sat-
urday, August 21 until midnight. Antlerless
tags for even numbered Regular units go on
sale beginning at noon on Sunday, August 22.
Remaining antlerless tags for all units will
resume sales on Monday, August 23 until sold
out or until the hunting season ends. Hunters
may purchase one antlerless tag per day. Fees
are $12 each for residents and $20 each for
non-residents.
Units with lower numbers of available per-
mits can be expected to sell out quickly. The
supply of available permits in units with high
numbers can be expected to last longer, or
may not sell out. Hunters may want to moni-
tor permit availability online, which is updat-
ed periodically.
Hunters must purchase a 2010 Wisconsin deer
hunting license before purchasing a unit-spe-
cific antlerless tag. Purchasing a deer hunt-
ing license prior to Aug. 21 can speed up the
permit purchasing process, suggest officials.
Hunters must purchase a 2010 Wisconsin deer
hunting license before purchasing a unit-spe-
cific antlerless tag. Purchasing a deer hunt-
ing license prior to Aug. 22 can speed up the
permit purchasing process, suggest officials.
Licenses and tags can also be purchased by
phone (1-877-945-4236) or at the DNR On-
line Licensing Center.
Nineteen Regular units will not have any
unit-specific antlerless tags available in
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
Regular Units
2010: DMUs 7, 13, 28, 29A, 29B, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49A, 52 and
52A. These units are below deer population
goals. Only certain hunters will be allowed to
harvest antlerless deer in these nineteen units
under the following circumstances:
• First time deer hunters who have recently
completed a hunter education program may
obtain one free antlerless deer tag from an
open DNR Service Center during business
hours. Contact the DNR at 1-888-936-7463
for questions about the free tags. These
special tags are valid in any DMU statewide
and can be used with a gun or archery li-
cense. The free antlerless tags may be used
with an archery or gun deer license.
• Class A and C disabled permit holders may
harvest a deer of either sex using their one
“Gun Buck Deer Carcass Tag” during any
gun deer season in any unit statewide. Class
A and C disabled permit holders may use
their “Archery Antlerless Carcass Tag” on
antlerless deer they shoot during the archery
season in any unit statewide.
• U.S. Armed Forces members, who are Wis-
consin residents or were residents when they
went into active service, and are currently on
furlough or leave from active service, may
harvest a deer of either sex using their one
“Gun Buck Deer Carcass Tag” during any
gun deer season in any unit statewide.
• Farmers who have agricultural damage
shooting permits may distribute special tags
to hunters, which authorize them to shoot
antlerless deer only on the farmer’s property.
• Chippewa treaty rights allow certain tribes
to harvest antlerless deer under a declared
quota on a unit by unit basis within the
ceded territory.
Back to Top 13

Deer Management Units in 2010
Herd Control Units
Herd Control Units are designated when
deer population estimates are 20% or more
above established overwinter goals. The
2010 Wisconsin gun and archery deer hunt-
ing licenses will each include one free Ant-
lerless Deer Carcass Tag that may be used in
Herd Control or CWD units. Archery licens-
es will include a second antlerless tag which
is also valid in Herd Control Units. There
is no limit to how many additional Antler-
less Deer Carcass Tags can be purchased at $2
each for use in Herd Control units. Tags can be
purchased at any DNR license sales location or
at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Re-
sources Online Licensing Center.
Hunters are encouraged to take advantage of
antlerless deer harvest opportunities in Herd
Control Units to continue moving populations
toward sustainable deer population goals.
Those who purchase a state park access permit early will have the park’s special deer hunting
regulations mailed to them before the season or they may find the regulations online. A state
park sticker or is required for all vehicles in a state park.
Access permits are also required to deer hunt in state parks that allow deer hunting within the
CWD Management Zone, but are free of charge and are not limited in quantity. Access permits
for CWD state parks can be obtained at DNR Service Centers within the CWD Management
Zone, at the state park’s office, or the DNR website.
Check the “State Parks and Trails Hunting Opportunities” web page for more information on
hunting within state parks, trails, and recreation area properties.

Metro Units
Metro units 59M, 60M, 64M, 1M and 77M will be Herd Control units in 2010. These metro
units have an extended regular gun season which will take place from Nov. 20 – Dec. 8. These
metro units will also have an extended late archery season which will end on Jan. 31, 2011.
Other season dates that apply to Herd Control units will be in effect.
Metro Unit 76M around Madison is a CWD Management Unit and all CWD gun and archery
deer seasons will apply to this unit. Shotgun restrictions will apply to all of unit 76M. New Email Alert Service
All metro units in 2010 will have shotgun restrictions, except unit 1M which will allow rifle Thousands of Wisconsin residents already subscribe to
hunting. Check local ordinances to see if other weapon restrictions apply to local areas within GovDelivery, an email-based alert service that lets the
metro units. subscriber know when something of interest happens in
State Park Units dozens of user-selected topics.

State Park units 23A, 52A, 57D, 59E, 61A, 64A, 69C, 72A, 73A, 77D, 77E and 80C allow deer
hunting during one or more deer hunting seasons. Hunters wishing to hunt in these state parks
must purchase a $3 State Park Access Permit online or at any DNR license location for the state
park of their choice. Archery hunters may hunt in unit 77D (Loew Lake Unit – Kettle Moraine
State Forest) without a $3 access permit, however, an access permit is required for muzzleloader
hunting in this unit from Nov. 20 – Dec. 8. Special weapon restrictions or hunting season dates
may apply to other parks. Check the 2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for details be-
fore purchasing your permit.
State Park Access Permits will be sold on the following schedule:
• Saturday, August 21 (noon - midnight): odd numbered units
• Sunday, August 22 (noon - midnight): even numbered units
• Monday, August 23: any remaining permits that are available for all units until sold out or
until the hunting season ends. Check the DNR website for permit availability.
Chose from hunting, fishing and trapping to environment, air and water quality, solid waste,
boating, snowmobiling and forestry, just to list a few.
First offered early in 2010, new topic areas are still being added. One of the most recent
new topics are alerts of new dog or pet depredations by wolves. This new topic logged over
3,400 new subscribers in just a few weeks.
Sign up is simple and only takes a few minutes. Go to the DNR web page at www.dnr.
wi.gov and click the “Subscribe to DNR Updates” button under “Online Services.” Follow
the simple instructions for subscribing to the alerts. It is possible to unsubscribe at any time.
The alert will be sent to a subscriber’s e-mail and/or wireless addresses of choice with a link
to the item of interest.

14 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 15

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues to pose a significant risk to deer and deer hunting
across Wisconsin. This disease has the potential to drastically reduce the size and health of our
deer herd. The DNR remains committed to working with hunters and landowners to control
spread of CWD to healthy deer.
Deer Population in the CWD
Management Zone
Thanks to the efforts of con-
cerned and motivated deer
hunters from across the CWD
management zone (CWD-
MZ), the deer herd in this
part of the state has declined
slightly over the past few
years. However, this decline
has not been even across the
CWD-MZ. In some places,
the deer population has de-
clined rapidly, with hunters
reporting fewer deer than in
previous years; in other ar-
eas the population remains
alarmingly high. With hunt-
ing pressure often determined
by property lines, areas with
many deer can be adjacent to
areas with low populations.
Aerial surveys conducted each
winter in the CWD-MZ have
shown how much popula-
tions can vary, even from one
woodlot to the next.
CWD Prevalence
Estimates show an overall
increasing trend in prevalence.
In most of the CWD-MZ, less
than one tenth of a percent
of the deer herd is infected.
Every year, however, ad-
ditional CWD-positive deer
16
are discovered along what
is thought to be the lead-
ing edge of the outbreak.
Also, in the areas of high-
est prevalence, estimates
showed prevalence to be
slightly increasing from 2002
through 2008. In the areas of
highest prevalence, infection
rates in adult bucks are over
12% and in adult females are
around 6%.
CWD is always fatal and,
as prevalence climbs, more
deer will die from the dis-
ease. Currently, deaths from
CWD, combined with all
other sources of mortality
(hunting, predation, other
diseases, etc.) can be com-
pensated by reproduction. At
some point, however, higher
prevalence could increase the
number of deaths from CWD
and push the mortality rate
beyond what can be made up
by reproduction, causing the outbreak and prevalence has
population to decline.
Fortunately, significant geo- move from an area once it is
graphic spread of the dis-
ease has not been detected.
Management efforts have
not yet been able to signifi- of the disease, deer behavior,
cantly reduce the area of the or a combination of these fac-
CWD Management
Zone Season Dates
• Archery season: Sept.
18 to Jan. 9 (earn-a-
buck)
• Youth Season: Oct.
9-10 (exempt from
earn-a-buck)
• Early firearm season:
Oct. 14-17 (antlerless-
only)
• Traditional 9-day fire-
arm season: Nov. 20-
28 (earn-a-buck)
• 10-day muzzleloader-
only season: Nov. 29 to
Dec. 8 (earn-a-buck)
• Late firearm season:
Dec. 9-12 (antlerless-
only)
• Holiday firearm sea-
son: Dec. 24- Jan. 9,
2011
not decreased, indicating that
CWD is very difficult to re-
established. However, the lack
of significant spread, a result of
management efforts, the nature
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
numbers of deer on their
2010 CWD SURVEILLANCE property.
CWD surveillance this fall will focus on the areas with
the highest infection rates in southeast and southwest Taking steps to prevent the
introduction of CWD is
Wisconsin and around the cluster of CWD-positive deer
found in and around Devil’s Lake State Park. Portions of much more effective than
these areas will have mandatory testing, as they have in trying to manage or eradi-
cate the disease once it is
the past. Additionally, more samples are going to be col-
established. In response to
lected this fall along the periphery of the current-known
research showing that car-
CWD geographic distribution in the northeast portions
casses of CWD-positive deer
of the CWD-MZ.
pose a risk of infection, Wis-
consin began regulating the
tors, means there is a chance ment option available where movement of deer carcasses
the rest of Wisconsin can be the disease is established from the CWD-MZ to other
protected from CWD. remains herd reduction. This parts of the state and from
is effective on two fronts: other states where CWD is
Managing CWD reducing the number of in- known to occur into Wiscon-
The DNR; with input from fected deer able to infect other sin. There is more informa-
other agencies, collaborators, deer, and reducing the num- tion about these rules in the
and constituents has been ber of deer at risk of becom- 2010 Deer Hunting regula-
developing a new CWD man- ing infected from living near tions Packet and the Wiscon-
agement plan. A draft of this infected deer. To be effective sin DNR’s website.
plan is available on the DNR’s for CWD management, deer
website and we hope to have it populations need to be reduced There is also concern over
finalized and in place this year. to very low levels, well below the risks posed by infected
This plan acknowledges that population goals that would wild deer to captive deer and
CWD has become endemic normally be set for purely rec- elk farms and risks posed
in southern Wisconsin and reational hunting. by infected captive animals
eradication of the disease in to the wild populations. The
the short term is no longer part To achieve herd reduction, DNR and DATCP (Depart-
of its goal. Instead, efforts are there are more hunting seasons ment of Agriculture, Trade
aimed at preventing or mini- within the CWD-MZ and the and Consumer Protection)
mizing the geographic spread new management plan allows work together to regulate and
of CWD and the number of for more days of hunting to monitor captive cervid opera-
new deer infected within the be added if necessary. Most tions to minimize these risks.
CWD-MZ. of these seasons have earn-a-
buck regulations, which are Research
Although several researchers explained below. Also, the When hunters submit tissues
are working on it, there are plan calls for offering deer from their deer for CWD
still no cures or treatments removal permits to individual testing, there is usually some
available for deer infected landowners who are concerned tissue left over. These tissues
with CWD. The only manage- about CWD and have large are shared with researchers
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 17
working to unravel the myster-
ies of CWD and other prion
diseases. Other researchers are
looking
at sur-
veillance
data and
working
with the
DNR to
develop
bet-
ter ways to monitor the
disease. If you’re interested
in learning about what’s hap-
pening in the world of CWD
research, a good source of
information is the CWD Alli-
ance website.
Earn-a-Buck
Unlimited earn-a-buck rules
will still be in place for all
CWD units as they were last
year. Hunters may harvest as
many bucks as they wish as
long as they meet the require-
ments of harvesting one ant-
lerless deer prior to harvesting
a buck. Hunters must have
valid carcass tags and valid
buck authorization stickers
before tagging a buck.
A hunter does not need a buck
authorization sticker to tag a
buck if they tagged an antler-
less deer first. In this instance,
both deer must be tagged by
the same hunter, kept together,
and registered at the same
time.
18
Hunters in the CWD-MZ
who have not earned a buck
authorization going into the
2010 deer season may
obtain a buck
authoriza-
tion sticker by
tagging and
registering an
antlerless deer
during any
season includ-
ing antlerless
deer registered under an agri-
cultural damage permit within
a CWD unit. Only the hunters
who tag antlerless deer will
receive a buck authorization
sticker.
Buck authorization stickers
will not be mailed to hunters
in 2010 if they register ant-
lerless deer during the 2009
season. Hunters who obtain
blue “2010-2011” buck autho-
rization stickers this year may
use them to tag bucks during
the remainder of the season,
or may save them for the 2011
season. Buck authorization
stickers are non-transferrable
to other hunters. Buck autho-
rization stickers expire, and
only orange “2009-2010” and
blue “2010-2011” buck autho-
rization stickers will be valid
for the 2010 hunting season.
Hunters who registered an
antlerless deer in a CWD unit
in 2009, but did not receive
a buck authorization sticker,
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
or lost it, may receive one
replacement sticker any time
at a DNR Service Center
during business hours. Deer
registration records will be
checked to verify that the
hunter is qualified to receive
a buck authorization sticker.
Hunters will also be required
to fill out and sign a sworn
affidavit in person before
receiving their replacement
sticker. Other questions
about earn-a-buck rules may
be answered by visiting the
Earn-a-Buck Frequently
Asked Questions Web page,
or contact the DNR toll free
at 1-888-WDNRINFo.
If you hunt within the CWD-
MZ, don’t forget that all deer
harvested within the CWD
Management Zone must be
registered at a station within
the CWD Management Zone
by 5:00 pm the day after the
deer was killed.
High deer numbers in some areas of the Wisconsin have other impacts. Based on reports re-
FOR MORE INFORMA-
quired from state-paid contractors who pick up car-killed-deer (CKD), there are at least 35,000
TION, CONTACT: Davin
Lopez, CWD Coordinator, at
(608) 267-2948.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
Lowdown
on
Lead
Discovery of tiny fragments of lead in lead poisoning. A similar study of bald eagle
mortality (2000 – 2007) found that 91 of 583
hunter harvested venison has turned up the
volume on discussions in hunting, wildlife (16%) bald eagle deaths were attributed to
health and human health circles over al- lead exposure.
ternatives to lead ammo and safer venison
processing. Lead shot is already banned for Furthermore, a noticeable increase in the
waterfowl hunting and is banned for dove percent of bald eagle fatalities attributed to
hunting on state owned lands in Wisconsin. lead toxicity began in October and peaked
in December. This pattern overlaps with the
While no evidence documents human lead hunting seasons in Wisconsin suggesting
poisoning from venison consumption, lead ammunition could be a major source of
health officials agree that the risk is not low lead exposure in eagles.
enough to ignore.
There are many alternatives to lead ammo
Lead’s effect on wildlife is well document- these days say wildlife officials. In addition,
ed. A study in Wisconsin of mortality in hunters can take extra precautions in butch-
trumpeter swans (1991 – 2007) found that ering their venison which may reduce their
36 of 143 (25%) swan deaths were due to family’s exposure to lead at the dinner table.
Deer Impacts on Motorists
deer carcasses picked up from Wisconsin roadways every year.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation also collects figures
on deer-vehicle collisions. DOT figures only include collisions
resulting in reportable damage to vehicles.
474:
Number of people injured in vehicle-deer collisions in 2009
7:
Number of people killed in vehicle-deer collisions in 2009
Photo courtesy of www.deercrash.com
Back to Top 19

Regional Deer Season Forecasts
Northern Region
By Mike Zeckmeister, Regional Wildlife Biologist
Overall, this last Wiscon-
sin winter was classified as
a “mild winter” with a few
exceptions and was a good one
from the white-tailed deer per-
spective. We had a fair amount
of cold days, but the really
deep snowfalls were lacking.
Our quota recommendations
reflect these conditions. The
mild winter and zero quotas
in many of the eastern units
will allow re-building of the
herd in these areas. In those
few units with severe winters
(DMUs 2, 3, 4, 6) herd growth
rates were adjusted according-
ly and quota recommendations
were lowered in these units
due to winter.
We also had a very mild and
early spring. This was due to
warm temperatures and gener-
ally shallow frost levels and
not much snow. This allowed
for an early green-up, which
is absolutely critical for deer
coming off the winter. This
past spring was almost a com-
plete opposite of the 2007-08
spring that was considered
20
detrimental for deer because
spring green-up occurred late.
Status of the Herd
We are seeing the results
of the reduced recruitment
from the 2007-08 spring in a
smaller 2 year old age-class.
The 2010 age class will be an
entirely different story. We
started to see fawns dropped
early this year. These fawns
are really getting a head-start
to get ready for the next win-
ter. This will help with over
winter survival and future
production. This will give a
real boost in DMUs where we
are rebuilding the herd. It also
gives us caution to make sure
the herd does not exceed the
natural carrying capacity of
the land in many other DMUs
in the north. This is why we
have a real mix of season
structures and antlerless deer
quotas in northern Wisconsin
for the 2010 deer season.
2010 Season
There are 15 DMUs in the
Northern Region (NOR)
where the gun quota recom-
mendation will be zero. This
recommendation was formed
based on input we received in
the March herd status meet-
ings. In many of these zero-
quota DMUs, we could have
had a small quota that would
still allow herd growth. How-
ever, those in attendance at
these meetings supported a
zero quota. Zero-quota units
in NOR include DMUs 7, 13,
28, 29A, 29B, 34-39, 42-44
and 52.
There are 24 DMUs that have
a range of quotas from 100-
2600. Based on long-term
harvest history, we can trim
the antlerless portion of the
herd with a traditional season
structure in these DMUs.
There are 7 DMUs that
will be in the Herd Control
Season structure (DMUs
1M,8,11,12,15,16,21). This
season recommendation will
allow increased downward
pressure on the herd especially
considering the mild winter
and early spring where we
should see increased recruit-
ment. The traditional bucks
plus quota season structure
would not exert sufficient
pressure in these units based
on past unit history. In addi-
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
tion, many of these DMUs are
productive units where they
have the potential for rapid
population increase.
This may be easier “said than
done”, but gun-deer hunters
who had an unpleasant experi-
ence during the nine-day gun
West Central Region
By Greg Dahl, Wisconsin Rapids Area Wildlife Biologist
A majority of units in the
West Central Region are near
goals, with ten units having
a population high enough to
require herd control. With
the milder winter and the
early spring, fawn production
should be good. This past
winter the overwinter goals
were raised in 15 units (22A,
27, 33, 57, 57A, 59A, 59B,
59D, 59M, 60A, 60B, 60M,
61, 62A, 74A) in the region al-
lowing for a larger deer popu-
lation in these units.
Those units that
are near or be-
low population
goals, result in
a “regular” deer
season frame-
work of one buck
each per archery
and deer license Photo byPat D
urkin
and a limited num-
ber of tags available for antler-
less deer. These units include
22A, 27, 33, 46, 53, 54A, 55, Many of the units in the West
56, 57A, 57B, 57C, 58, 59A,
59B, 60A, 60B, 62A, 65A
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
season need to look forward
not backwards. We had many
factors that contributed to not
seeing deer during the 2010
season. In some parts of the
north it is apparent that deer
were simply not there in num-
bers we were all accustomed
and 74A. Some of these units
have a very limited number
of antlerless tags available, so
remember to purchase your
antlerless tags early. Regular
units will not have the 4-day
October antlerless only season.
In the remaining West Central
Region units (54B, 54C, 57,
59C, 59D, 59M, 60M, 61, 72,
and 74B), deer populations
remain higher than population
goals, so these units will fol-
low the Herd Control frame-
work. The free antler-
less tag that comes
with gun and archery
licenses is good in
these units and there
are an unlimited
number of antlerless
permits available for
purchase for $2.00
each for these units.
These units will par-
ticipate in the antlerless only
gun hunt from Oct. 14-17.
Central Region are highly pro-
ductive farmland units where
to. Hopefully we will have
more normal hunting condi-
tions ahead of us. Our quota
and season recommendations
combined with really good
spring recruitment will only
give us all much to look for-
ward to.
the deer herd can bounce
back quickly, so hunters
should plan to harvest an ant-
lerless deer or two while they
are buck hunting this fall to
keep the unit at a more man-
ageable and healthier level.
While the deer numbers in
some deer management units
continue to be high, it is im-
portant to recognize that deer
numbers can vary dramatical-
ly within the unit. A variety
of factors, including level of
antlerless harvest in previous
years, habitat changes over
time and food availability,
can increase or decrease the
number of deer found in any
particular local area.
All units in the region will
have a December antlerless
only gun hunt from Dec. 9
-12.
Back to Top 21
 Southeast Region By Dale Katsma, Acting Regional Wildlife Supervisor

Northeastern Region
region but deer distribution ahead of hunting seasons.
By Jeff Pritzl, Regional Wildlife Biologist varies greatly, depending on
habitat and hunting pressure. Hunters are urged to partici-
mind: As forests grow older, order to avoid another spike in Some of the bigger blocks
deer productivity declines. the herd that will require more pate in the special antlerless
of deer habitat are found on hunts during October and
D eer populations in the Hunters should assess their
traditional hunting spots with
aggressive harvest regulations
in the future. As in the north- Deer Populations in the the Kettle Moraine State For- December to help bring deer
16 county Northeast Region est and State Wildlife Areas. populations closer to goals
continue to be the tale of two an eye toward general forest ern forest, hunting lower deer Southeast Region remain Hunting pressure is usually in the Herd Control Units.
stories. The northern forest age and consider position- density landscapes doesn’t relatively high compared to high on public lands. Scouting
ing themselves near younger automatically equate to a See the 2010 Wisconsin Deer
deer herd has not yet shown established population goals to find several hunting spots in
forests if they have not found poorer hunting experience. Hunting Regulations for
indications of improved pro- in all units except Deer Man- advance of the hunting season
satisfactory experiences in Hunters are crucial to manage- more information. Donating
ductivity, while the farmland agement Unit 69, which is a will provide alternatives on
recent years. However, lower ment of deer populations and extra venison at participat-
herds remain above goals “Regular Unit”. All firearm opening day.
deer densities do not automati- can demonstrate their value ing deer processors for food
despite long-running liberal deer hunters will need to pur-
pantries is once again an op-
harvest regulations for antler- cally equate to poor hunting to all Wisconsin citizens and chase a $12 antlerless carcass Although this region has large tion for hunters to consider.
less deer. Most of the region experiences. Time spent in the future generations of hunters tag in order to harvest an ant- blocks of urban area much Check the DNR website in
south of State Highway 64 and woods exploring expansive by maintaining deer popula- lerless deer in Unit 69. The is still quite rural with some early fall for a list of proces-
Deer Management Unit 51A landscapes is an enjoyable tions at goal. Remember to remaining units are in Herd good deer habitat. Hunters in-
experience and scouting is par- take every opportunity to pass sors.
to the north remain in Herd Control season frameworks, terested in hunting on private
Control status. Summer deer ticularly important up north, as on your hunting heritage to with units in the CWD Man- lands are advised to get out Baiting for deer hunting is
surveys in August and Septem- natural food sources vary from new hunters by teaching the agement Zone continuing well in advance of deer sea- only allowed in two counties
ber will be watched for signs year to year and influence deer value of each aspect of the under Earn-a-Buck (EAB) son to meet with landowners – Washington and Ozaukee
of improved fawn numbers activity. hunt; including the physical, regulations. While hunting and seek permission to hunt.
emotional, and social joys that Counties – and is not allowed
in the north due to the milder under EAB regulations has Hunters should always check
With the absence of Earn-A- come with being outdoors. in the remainder of the Re-
past winter. been effective in reducing with local municipalities to
Buck requirements during the gion. See the 2010 Wiscon-
deer populations in the CWD determine if there are prohi-
2009 season in northeast farm- sin Deer Hunting Regulations
The six Northern Forest units, there are still good deer bitions regarding the use of
land units; antlerless harvests for more details.
DMUs in our region remain numbers and harvest opportu- firearms or archery equipment.
below population goals and dropped dramatically and deer nities. Helicopter and fixed- Some municipalities, includ-
herds grew slightly in most Hunters need to read the
four of them (41, 44, 45, and wing deer surveys conducted ing Mequon and Germantown,
units as a result. Fawn pro- regulations and prepare
49A) will have a buck only in the CWD zone revealed require discharge permits for
ductivity is anticipated to be in advance of the hunting
season framework for both significant, but unevenly guns or bows in order to hunt.
strong this year, and although seasons. A variety of chal-
archers and gun hunters in distributed deer numbers. Other municipalities such as
some hunters will remain lenging and rewarding deer
2010 to give them the great- Scouting is more important Eagle and Mukwonago, pro-
understandably conserva- hunting opportunities exist in
est chance for herd growth. than ever because of the hibit the use of rifles for deer southeastern Wisconsin. If
Although multiple factors are tive with antlerless harvest in lowered deer populations and hunting in the CWD Zone. you have questions, please
influencing deer productivity pockets of low deer numbers, uneven distribution Again, hunters are encouraged contact our DNR Call Center
in the north, hunters need to farmland unit hunters gener- dd Naas to check well in advance to
Photos by To at 1-800-WDNR-INFO, 7am-
keep an important principle in ally need to be comfortable Good opportunities for deer assure time to process permits 10pm, 7 days a week.
harvesting antlerless deer in hunting exist throughout the
22 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 23

Deer populations are doing
well in the South Central Re-
gion and hunters should have
a great 2010, with a caveat.
Hunters should be prepared
to scout their hunting areas
before the season, and also
be prepared to move to areas
where deer are found. While
all the deer management units
in the SCR are above deer
populations goals deer are
unequally distributed in the
region. This situation leads
to hunters seeing plenty of
deer in one area, and only
saw a few deer in others.
With the exception of north-
ern Dodge and western Grant
counties, all of the SCR deer
management units will be
under a Chronic Wasting Dis-
ease (CWD) season frame-
work that has not changed
since 2008 and includes Earn-
a-Buck and extended gun
hunting seasons to increase
antlerless harvest. Reducing
deer densities to limit spread
of the always fatal CWD is
the primary objective.
Hunters will again be able
24
South Central Region
Photos by Scott Kuharske, Tami Ryan, and Tim Babros
to have their deer tested
for CWD at both DNR and
private registration stations
throughout the CWD man-
agement zone. Increased
testing will take place in
Jefferson, southern Dodge,
and in southwestern Sauk and
eastern Richland counties to
improve monitoring of the
disease. Testing locations
will be posted on the DNR
web and press releases will
be issued prior to the hunting
seasons alerting hunters as to
where they can get their deer
tested. For more informa-
tion specific to CWD and its
management, see the Chronic
Wasting Disease section of
this publication.
In most of the South Cen-
tral Region the sex-age kill
(SAK) population model is
not used to determine deer
numbers. Biologists get in
helicopters and planes and
physically count the deer.
From the air the unequal
distribution of deer is easily
By Doug Fendry, Area Supervisor
seen. In the helicopter surveys,
we survey one square mile
blocks. In some blocks biolo-
gists see fewer than 10 deer,
while just a few miles away,
they may see 60 deer. The deer
season framework is based
on managing deer at a certain
density, recognizing that deer
numbers are high in some ar-
eas and low in others.
If you’re hunting in a block
that had fewer than 10 deer
last winter, game managers
suggest pre-season scouting to
find where the deer are mov-
ing, find their feeding patterns
and the better used trails. It
might be necessary to consider
abandoning or moving deer
stands to new locations where
there is better opportunity.
This can be a tough choice for
hunters who bought land for
deer hunting and now find few
deer on their land.
The good news though is with
pre-season scouting and hunt-
ing where the deer are, hunters
should do well this fall.
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Bear Season Forecast
By Linda Olver, Assistant Big Game Biologist
2010 Season Dates
• Zone C where dogs are not permitted:
-- September 8 - October 12
• Zones A, B, and D where dogs are permitted:
-- September 8 - 14 (with aid of bait and with other
methods not utilizing dogs)
-- September 15 - October 5 (with aid of dogs, bait,
and other methods)
-- October 6 - 12 (with aid of dogs only)
The Department of Natural Resources man- The deadline to apply for 2011 bear hunt-
ages the black bear population size through ing permits is December 10, 2010.
regulated hunting. For 2010, the number of
when females produce their first litter and the
hunting permits has been increased 22% to
years in which they produced litters.
8,910 following studies showing higher num-
bers of bears. The 2010 harvest quota is set at Hunters are also asked to turn in any ear tags
5,235 bears. Over the next year, opportunities found on their bear at the time it is registered.
will be provided to the public to comment on The ear tags indicate the bear has been previ-
desired numbers of bears in each of the state’s ously captured and released. The most likely
bear management regions as the DNR pre- reason for capture was the bear was causing
pares a new bear management plan. a nuisance but bears are also tagged during
winter den surveys and with other research
This year we are again asking successful
projects.
hunters to submit a tooth sample from their
bear for aging. Letters with tooth collection Hunters harvested 4,009 black bears dur-
instructions and registration materials were ing the 2009 season, with a statewide hunter
mailed in July to all hunters eligible to receive success rate of 54.8%. Price, Bayfield, and
a Class A Permit. If you harvest a bear this Sawyer counties recorded the highest har-
season, please follow the directions carefully, vests. Bear Management Zone A led the state
collect the tooth prior to registering your bear, with 1,541 bears harvested, followed by B
and leave the samples with the bear registra- with 885, D with 881, and C with 695 (7 from
tion station. When the aging results return unrecorded bear zone).
from the laboratory, we will notify hunters by
Detailed information on bear hunting in Wis-
mail of the age of their bear. The information
consin is available on DNR’s Wisconsin Bear
obtained from the tooth helps us to determine
Hunting web site. For more information con-
the age structure of the population, the age
tact: Linda Olver – (608) 261-7588.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 25

Northern Region Bear Forecast
With more bears and more
tags available in the northern
region, the stage is set for
a strong harvest in 2010. Other factors also
play into the season outlook. Due to an early,
spring the berry crop will be largely finished
making hunter-placed baits more attractive to
bears which bodes well for a successful bear
hunt. This could change however, if there
is a bumper crop of early acorns which will
Northeastern Region Bear Forecast
Early summer rainfall
contributed to the devel-
opment of excellent soft
mast crops and should
help the hard mast. In other words, nuts and
berries are in good supply and bears should
have plentiful food sources available to them
this fall. This may affect bait visitation.
Northeast Region has parts of Bear Manage-
ment Units B and C. Permit levels are high
in both zones and these higher permit levels
may lead to greater competition for hunting
areas this year. Nuisance complaints dropped
slightly in 2009 and early indications in 2010
are that the trend is continuing. Sightings of
bear are common.
In Zone B, hunters without dogs can start
hunting bears on September 8. Zone B hunt-
ers who want to hunt with hounds can start on
September 15. In Zone C, the use of dogs is
not allowed and the season runs from Septem-
26
West Central Region Bear Forecast
The bear population in the west central region mize bear damage and
is thriving. Increased sightings in the south- nuisance concerns. As
ern part of the region are coming in as bears the number of permits
tend to compete with
continue to expand their range into areas increases, the waiting time for a kill tag will
hunter-placed baits. Bear
where people are still getting used to their decrease. There also will be more hunters
permits were increased again in 2010 reflect-
exciting new neighbors. sharing the woods.
ing results of the department’s traditional bear
population survey methods and a first round
In 2009, there were 2,200 permits available While traditional hunting grounds in the
of a tetracycline population study. The tetra-
in Zone C, and hunters harvested 695 bear for northern parts of the region still hold plenty
cycline study is due to be repeated in order to
a 32% success rate. Of these, 358 bear were of bear, increased numbers throughout the
provide additional information on populations
harvested in the west central region. Most of region offer hunters the opportunity to spread
that will guide future management planning.
the region’s harvest occurred in Chippewa, out and perhaps hunt closer to home.
Clark and Marathon counties, but several bear
were harvested farther west and south, includ- Please be aware the DNR and the Uni-
ing some as far south as Juneau County. versity of Wisconsin will be repeating the
tetracycline-method study of bear numbers
For 2010, the number of Zone C harvest in 2011. With improvements based on what
ber 8 to October 12. permits has been increased to 2,430 as we was learned the first time around, this second
In the Northeast Region, Zone B is where the work to manage the expanding population study will further refine our estimate of the
majority of bears are taken. Public land is at a healthy, sustainable level that will mini- state’s bear population. Watch for informa-
plentiful and the mix of forest types creates tion on how you can help with this impor-
excellent bear habitat. Bears are abundant tant research.
in the zone and hunters often report multiple
bears visiting baits.
Bear populations in Zone C are expanding in
both numbers and area. Bears have been re-
ported in areas south of where they have been
commonly found. Though there may not be
high densities of bears in these fringe areas,
there may be local hunting opportunities.
Most bear hunting in Zone C takes place on
private land so hunters should make contact
with landowners early to determine their best
opportunity for a successful hunt.
For hunters using hounds, the Department
Photo by Jeff
has a website showing areas where dogs have Roth
been lost to wolves. This can be viewed by
clicking here.
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 27
 Upland Game Forecast
Ring-Necked Pheasant
2010 Season Dates
Statewide:
Oct. 16(noon)-Dec. 31
Visitors to the DNR’s pheas-
ant website this fall will find
the 2010 Pheasant Stocking
Information Sheet, which iden-
tifies public hunting grounds
slated for pheasant stocking.
This fall the DNR plans to
stock around 71 public hunting
grounds with approximately
45,000 game farm pheas-
ants. This is a slight (increase/
decrease) from 2009 when
41,500 game farm pheasants
were stocked on 71 public
hunting grounds. Please note
that the 2010 stocking numbers
are preliminary and that final
numbers will not be known
until late September or early
October.
Hunters heading out to Wis-
consin’s fields in search of
ring-necked pheasants will
find this year’s pheasant hunt-
ing regulations included in the
2010 Wisconsin Small Game
Hunting Regulations booklet.
Hunters will need to purchase
a 2010 Pheasant Stamp and
Small Game license and care-
28
Despite yet another decrease in the current
pheasant population, hunters can likely still ex-
pect a moderate to good fall pheasant season.
fully verify which public
hunting grounds have a 2:00
p.m. closure and/or allow
hen pheasant hunting.
Results from the 2010 Rural
Mail Carrier (RMC) pheas-
ant survey indicate a 14%
decrease (from 0.44 in 2009
to 0.38 in 2010) in the num-
ber of pheasants observed by
rural mail carriers per 100
miles driven. These results
are 37% below the long-term
mean of 0.60 pheasants per
100 miles. Counties with the
highest number of pheasants
seen per 100 miles driven
were Lafayette (1.81), Polk
(1.65), Fond du Lac (1.12),
Pierce (0.97), and Jefferson
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Photo by Dave Herr
(0.88). Results received thus
far for the spring crowing
count survey corroborate the
results of the RMC survey,
indicating a 36% decrease in
statewide pheasant numbers
for 2010.
This is the third year in a
row of declining pheasant
numbers. Long and snowy
winters in 2007-2008 and
2008-2009, along with a wet
and cool spring in 2008, and
below average summer temps
in 2009 have set pheasant
numbers back statewide. In
addition to recent weather
events, changes in pheasant
populations have also coin-
cided with changing agricul-
tural and land-use patterns.
Enrollment in the Conserva-
tion Reserve Program (CRP),
a U.S. Department of Agri-
culture program which pays
landowners to retire their
cropland for a 10- or 15-year
period by planting it to per-
manent cover (grass or trees),
has declined significantly in
Wisconsin. CRP enrollment
peaked in the mid-1990s with
over 700,000 acres. Cur-
rent enrollment is less than
425,000 acres and is expected
to decline even further. The
CRP has been shown to
provide important habitat for
pheasants and other grassland
wildlife and the loss of habi-
tat in recent years is likely
impacting pheasant popula-
tions statewide.
Looking Ahead to Fall 2010
Despite a decrease in the
current pheasant popula-
tion, hunters can likely still
expect a moderate to good
fall pheasant season. Brood
survey information for 2010
will become available later in
the summer.
Areas that contain adequate
winter cover (cattail and
shrub-carr marshes and thick
switchgrass fields which
have more than 15% of the
landscape in idle grassland)
will have the highest pheas-
ant densities. In addition,
research has shown that
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
wetlands are one of the most
important year-round cover
types for pheasants. It will be
important for hunters to iden-
tify areas with high quality
habitat and concentrate hunt-
ing efforts in that area.
During the 2009-2010 pheas-
ant hunting season, over
57,400 hunters went out
in search of pheasants and
reported harvesting 241,800
(±37,900) birds. The top
counties for harvest included
Dane, Fond du Lac, and and cock pheasant hunting
Waukesha. (which requires leg tags) and/
or 2:00 p.m. closure times.
The 2010 pheasant hunting
Properties with 2:00 p.m.
opens statewide on October
16 at noon and closes on closures are enforced from
December 31. From October October 18 - November 3.
16-17, the daily bag limit is 1
Read pheasant survey reports
cock and the possession limit
on the Wildlife Reports page
is 2.
of the DNR website.
For the remainder of the
season the daily bag limit is
2 cocks and the possession
limit is 4. Some public hunt-
ing grounds have both hen
Best Areas to Hunt
• Areas that contain adequate winter cover such as cattail
and shrub-carr marshes
• Thick switchgrass fields which have more than 15 percent
of the landscape in idle grassland
• Wetlands are also one of the most important year-round
cover types for pheasants
• It will be important for hunters to identify areas with high
quality habitat and concentrate hunting efforts in that area
Back to Top 29

Photo by Ryan Brady
This fall, 95,700 wild turkey permits will
be available to hunters. This is the same
number of permits when compared to 2009’s
fall season. This is the third fall season un-
der the new 7-zone system. Allowing permit
levels to remain at fairly similar levels while
still meeting demand has allowed for a good
comparison of how the new consolidated
zone system is working compared to the old
46-zone system. Overall satisfaction with
the Wisconsin Wild Turkey Program remains
high.
Using Dogs during the Fall Season
Starting with the Fall 2010 season, hunters
may use dogs to hunt wild turkeys STATE-
WIDE. This change is the result of a pilot
program, initiated in 2007, that allowed
the use of dogs to hunt turkeys in a limited
9-county area. Following review, the deci-
sion was made to extend this opportunity
statewide and make it permanent.
Permits and Extended Season
Following the August 2, 2010 Fall Turkey
permit drawing, any remaining permits will
go on sale beginning at noon on Saturday,
August 28. The fall 2010 season will run
30
Turkey Tactics come less available and mast becomes more
Turkey Historically, wild turkeys occupied much of available. Mast crops, such as acorns, can
southern Wisconsin with the northern bound- influence hunting success. In years of poor
Season Dates ary of distribution fluctuating in response mast production, turkey flocks are drawn to
Spring Period A April 13-17 to severe winters. Following reintroduction localized areas where food can be found; this
Period B April 20-24 efforts throughout the state, coupled with often results in turkeys frequenting farmland
Period C April 27-May 1 several years of mild winter and open fields where they
Period D May 4-8 weather and expanded become more visible and vul-
Period E May 11-15 habitat development nerable. Turkey hunters should
Period F May 18-22 and improvement, the monitor the mast crop in the
Wisconsin wild turkey area they hunt in order to de-
Fall Sept. 18-Nov. 18* population now extends termine where turkeys will be
Nov. 29-Dec. 31 (Zones 1-5) well into the northern feeding.
part of the state.
from September 18 through November 18 for
all permit holders. An additional extended
Come fall, there is gener-
Additional information on
wild turkey is available on
ally a slight shift in habi- the DNR’s Wild Turkey
season for Zones 1-5 ONLY will take place tat use by which turkeys website. Brood counts will
from November 29 through December 31. move from more open be completed in August and
Check the 2010 Fall Turkey Hunting Regula- field habitats to forested will provide additional in-
tions (now combined with small game and habitats. Flocks make ex- formation on brood survival.
spring turkey hunting regulations in the 2010 tensive use of areas domi-
Wisconsin Small Game Hunting Regulations nated by oak and hickory. Photo by Loree
Kilian
And as always, remember to focus on safety
booklet) for more information. Hunters are This habitat shift coincides with food avail- during the fall hunt!
encouraged to check the DNR website for ability as succulent vegetation and insects be-
updates.
Bag Limit
The 2010 fall bag limit is one turkey of any Hunting By the Numbers
age or sex per fall turkey permit (also referred
to as a carcass tag). Hunters should remem- 60,862: total number of turkeys harvested in all sea-
ber that they must bring their tagged turkeys sons in 2009
to a designated registration station no later
than 5:00 p.m. the day after it is harvested. 321,691: total number of turkey permits available for
As an additional reminder, most turkey hunt- all seasons in 2009
ing occurs on private land, so it is important 286,929: total number of turkey permits issued for all
to keep landowner relationships a high prior- seasons in 2009
ity. Landowners in Wisconsin are usually
willing to allow hunters to use their land as 24%: overall success rate 2009 spring turkey season
long as they ask politely for permission to do 12%: overall success rate 2009 fall turkey season
so.
Photo by Sc
ott Bowe
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 31

Season Dates
Zone A: Sept. 18 - Jan. 31, 2011; Daily Bag: 5
Zone B: Oct. 16 - Dec. 8; Daily Bag: 2
Each spring, biologists, wardens,
foresters, members of the Ruffed
Grouse Society, and other volun-
teers travel survey routes in order
to record ruffed grouse drumming
activity. Drumming is the sound
produced by a male grouse during
the spring breeding season. The
male will display on a drumming
log, followed by rapidly beating
his wings, producing a drumming
sound with the intention of at-
tracting a female. Ruffed grouse
drumming surveys have been used
since 1964 as an indicator of ruffed
grouse population trends. Brood
data will not be available until later
in the summer, after eggs have
hatched and the young birds are a
month or two old.
Statewide, the ruffed grouse population
decreased about 5%, from 0.94 drums per
stop in 2009 to 0.89 in 2010. The south-
west region of the state showed the greatest
decrease in drumming activity over the last
year with a 21% decrease. The central and
northern regions showed a slight decrease
of 4% and 6%, respectively, whereas the
southeast region experienced a large in-
crease of 60% more drums than in 2009.
The southeast region contains the least
amount of grouse cover in the state, and mi-
nor increases in grouse drumming numbers
can have a large influence on the drumming
index.
32
Ruffed Grouse
Photo by Jake W. Dingel/PGC photo
For reasons not well understood by biologists,
grouse populations cycle up and down over an
8- to 10-year period. The previous high was in
1999, and it would appear that Wisconsin has
already reached the peak of the current grouse
cycle. However, biologists note that while the
5% statewide decrease from last year’s drum-
ming survey results supports the idea that the
ruffed grouse population may be on the down-
swing, the change is not statistically significant
and may be due to random chance or smaller
sample sizes representing a given area. Also,
brood production in the summer of 2009 was
17% lower than in 2008, which may have set
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
the stage for the decrease in breeding grouse possession limit is twice the daily bag limit
in 2010. (i.e., 10 birds for Zone A and 4 birds for Zone
B).
Hunters can likely expect ruffed grouse num-
bers to decrease over the next several years,
Overall, the message for the 2010 ruffed
and as always, hunters may not find uniform
grouse season is this: Despite the slight
numbers of grouse across any given land-
decrease in ruffed grouse numbers, the sur-
scape; thus, they will need to seek good habi-
tat for ruffed grouse hunting and may have
vey results indicate that hunters can remain
optimistic for another great grouse season in
to scout different sites in order to find the
2010.
pockets where good numbers of birds can be
found. Ruffed grouse use a variety of habitat
Additional information in ruffed grouse can
types, but young, early successional forest
be found on the DNR’s Ruffed Grouse web-
types are most important when trying to find
site and by reading the 2009-2010 Drumming
a good grouse hunting location.
Survey report.
Despite the slight decrease in
ruffed grouse numbers, hunters can Hunting By the Numbers
remain optimistic for another great
grouse season in 2010. 388,849: Estimated grouse harvest in 2009-10
season
The population level of grouse generally 97,245: The number of people hunting grouse
influences both the number of hunting days in 2009
spent in the field and hunter success rates, say
wildlife managers. “During the 2009-2010 37%: The percentage of small game hunters
grouse season, about 97,100 hunters reported pursuing ruffed grouse
spending 892,000 days in the field hunting 892,458: Estimated total number of grouse
grouse. Hunters reported harvesting roughly hunting days hunters
389,000 grouse in 2009,” said Sharon Fandel,
DNR upland game biologist. “At the time of
the last population peak, back in 1999, they
reported taking about 768,000.”
Hunters are reminded that there are two
grouse hunting zones – Zone A and Zone
B. The Zone A (which occupies the north-
western portion of the state) ruffed grouse
hunting season opens September 18th, 2010
and closes January 31st, 2011. The Zone B
(which occupies the southeastern portion of
the state) season runs from October 16th to
December 8th, 2010. The daily bag limit is 5
birds for Zone A and 2 birds for Zone B. The
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 33

Photo by Wade Oehmichen
Sharp-tailed grouse popula-
tions are monitored each year
using dancing ground sur-
veys, which are a cooperative
effort between the Depart-
ment of Natural Resources,
the U.S. Forest Service, the
Great Lakes Indian Fish &
Wildlife Commission, North-
land College, members of
the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed
Grouse Society, and volun-
teers. A complete census of
these displaying grounds is
attempted on those properties
designated as sharptail man-
agement tracts. Sharp-tailed
grouse surveys on unman-
aged lands are concentrated
within a portion of northwest-
ern Wisconsin (primarily in
deer management units 2 and
9), often on private lands.
Dancing Grounds Surveys
Dancing grounds found
within suitable habitat blocks
are approached and birds are
counted. This year’s danc-
ing ground surveys indicate
34
conversion, increasingly iso- historically occupied suit- the larger state-owned areas
lated populations, and cycli- able habitat throughout the that focus on sharp-tailed
Sharp-tailed Grouse cal grouse population dynam- state. Long-term popula- grouse management include
ics. The decision to have two tion declines across North Crex Meadows and Name-
Season Dates of the DMUs previously open America, including Wiscon- kagon Barrens Wildlife Areas
to sharp-tailed grouse hunt- sin, have occurred since the in Burnett County.
October 16 - November 7 ing remain closed was not early 1900s. Sharp-tailed
easy. Although there were a grouse management began All hunters interested in
Daily Bag: Determined by permits. few more birds observed this in northern Wisconsin dur- hunting sharp-tailed grouse
Application deadline for sharp-tailed spring in some areas, some ing the late 1940s and early must go through the applica-
grouse permits is August 1. of the more traditional sharp- 1950s in response to concerns tion process. In 2010 Aug. 2
tailed grouse dancing grounds of habitat loss. Sharp-tailed is the applications deadline.
have become less stable in grouse require specific habitat Hunters are encouraged to
that populations of sharp-tails ment units, or DMUs) will recent years, warranting the for courtship, nesting, brood- carefully review the zone
were low again this spring. share the available permits. continued closure of two rearing, and wintering sites. map and apply only for units
Sharp-tailed grouse numbers Those units with sharp-tail DMUs and a much more However, suitable habitat that are open. Applying for
remain quite low and birds permits available for Fall conservative approach in the currently exists only in rela- closed units will result in an
can often be challenging 2010 are DMU 2 with 295 harvest framework. Permit- tively small patches separated invalid application.
to locate. Because of this, permits and DMU 8 with level decisions are made on by large tracts of unsuitable
hunters are encouraged to 35 permits. Two other units an annual basis and incorpo- habitat. Today, sharp-tailed Additional information in
anticipate this challenge and (DMU 9 and DMU 10) open rate sharp-tailed grouse sur- grouse in Wisconsin are ruffed grouse can be found
allow themselves to enjoy the to sharp-tailed grouse hunt- vey data, past permit levels, primarily found in the early on the DNR’s Sharp-tailed
outdoors and the experience ing in previous seasons will and hunter success. successional pine barrens and Grouse website.
of the hunt, rather than go- again be temporarily closed The sharp-tailed grouse is savannas of the northwestern
ing just for the opportunity to this season due to low survey native to Wisconsin and portion of the state. Some of
harvest a bird. numbers.
Click here to read the most recent harvest and survey
The Sharp-tailed Grouse’s Cousin - the prairie chicken
reports for the Sharp-tailed Grouse Sharp-tailed grouse resemble its close relative, the greater prairie chicken, and are also some-
times mistaken for the female ring-necked pheasant. Sharp-tails have a distinctive pointed tail
2010 Season Permit Availability edged with white, and produce a “chuck, chuck, chuck” call when flushed. They are largely
Last fall, 348 applicants ap- The number of permits of- known for their spring courtship
plied for 635 permits. Hunt- fered this year is a decrease display on clearings called “danc-
ers harvested 27 birds during from 2009 when 635 permits ing grounds.” During this display,
the 2009 season. A total of were available. While on the male uses a stiff-bodied step-
330 permits will be available some properties there was ping motion, with tail and head
for the Fall 2010 sharp-tailed either no change or a slight feathers pointed up, wings spread,
grouse hunting season, which increase in observations of and head held low. This is fol-
will run from October 16th sharp-tailed grouse, survey Greater Prairie Chicken, Photo by Lesa Kardash lowed by a vigorous “dance” (feet Sharp-tailed Grouse, Photo by Wade Oehmichen
through November 7th. This numbers as a whole were stamping) in small circles. While
fall, two units (which share down from 2009. This de- dancing, the male vibrates his tail feathers, which produces a clicking or rattling noise. Males
the same boundaries and crease is likely a combination also inflate and deflate lavender-colored air sacs in their breasts, creating soft cooing sounds.
designations as deer manage- of continued habitat loss or
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 35

Bobwhite Quail
Data on male bobwhite quail densities have
been collected biennially since 1991 us-
ing roadside surveys along predetermined
transects in the 15 counties which comprise
the species’ primary range. Annual surveys
initially began in 1949, and have been run
biennially since 1991. The number of whis-
tling males heard during a two-minute period
is recorded. Populations showed a significant
decrease in 2009, with the overall trend a sig-
nificant decline as well. The mean number of
whistling males heard at each stop decreased
74%, from 0.05 in 2007 to 0.013 in 2009.
This is on top of a 26% decrease between
2005 and 2007 (0.07 to 0.05) and a 30% de-
crease between 2003 and 2005 (0.10 to 0.07).
This remains well below the long-term aver-
age (0.60).
Bobwhite quail populations have been de-
clining across North America for the past 20
years. These declines have been even more
dramatic in states like Wisconsin that are on
the northern edge of the birds’ range. Habitat
loss and fragmentation are the top two prima-
ry causes for population declines in many bird
species. Bobwhite quail populations have
been declining across the Midwest and Great
Plains States primarily due to a loss of critical
nesting and brood-rearing habitat.
Current research information has shown that
hunting mortality has contributed little to
this overall decline. The annual lifespan of
quail is about 1.5 years, and 60-80% of the
quail population does not survive longer than
a year. In addition, studies have shown that
hunting mortality is largely compensatory,
meaning that the quail harvested by hunters
are birds that would have likely died by an-
other, natural reason. The result is a difficult
36
management challenge for wildlife manag-
ers. Efforts to “stockpile” quail by temporar-
ily closing hunting seasons or by tinkering
with the hunting regulations, would not curb
the decline or increase population numbers.
Among the Midwestern states, Wisconsin al-
ready has the second most conservative quail
hunting season; only Ohio has a more conser-
vative season.
In order to help bobwhite quail, the Wisconsin
DNR is actively engaged in habitat programs
for quail and other upland and grassland nest-
ing species. Wisconsin is part of the Northern
Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, which aims
to restore quail populations across the country
through habitat restoration. In addition, the
DNR has been partnering for decades with the
United State Department of Agriculture in or-
der to restore habitat on private lands through
the Farm Bill.
However, there are still good local quail
hunting opportunities on both public and
private lands, especially in the west-central
and south-central regions of the state. Green,
Iowa, Lafayette and Rock counties have some
of the better quail hunting opportunities with-
in the state. During the 2009-2010 season
994 hunters reported harvesting 912 (±1042)
bobwhite and the top three counties included
Sauk, Outagamie, and Fond du Lac. Habitat
programs such as the Conservation Reserve
Program and the Upland Buffers for Wildlife
Program have been extremely beneficial for
upland game birds like bobwhite quail and
should continue to provide good local hunting
opportunities.
Season Dates:
Oct. 16 (noon) – Dec 9
Daily Bag: 5; Possession Limit: 10
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
white quail survey route are recorded. The
Cottontail Rabbit numbers of cottontail rabbits seen per transect
decreased 43% in 2009, from 0.28 in 2007 to
Cottontail rabbits are a very popular small 0.16 in 2009. During the 2009-2010 hunting
game animal and typically provide for great season, the results of a mail-in survey indi-
recreational opportunities across the state. cated that hunters harvested approximately
Rabbits are extremely prolific and their an- 126,000 (±25,034) cottontail rabbits, with the
nual reproduction is usually dependent upon top counties being Washington, Kewaunee,
local weather conditions during the breeding and Pierce.
seasons. Portions of the state with adequate
rainfall resulting in plenty of green, succulent
vegetation should see good rabbit production
and good hunting opportunities this fall.
Surveys for cottontail rabbits are conducted in
unison with the biennial bobwhite quail sur-
veys. All cottontail rabbits seen on the bob-
Season Dates:
North Zone: Sept. 18 – Feb. 28, 2011
South Zone: Oct. 16 (noon) - Feb. 28, 2011
Daily Bag: 3; Possession Limit: 6
For additional information on bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, squirrels, and snowshoe
hare please see: the 2009-2010 Small Game Harvest Report on the Wisconsin Wildlife Reports
page and the 2010 Small Game Hunting Regulations.
Gray & Fox Squirrel Season Dates for Squirrel:
Sept. 18 – January 31, 2011
Squirrels are a popular game species and can
provide some great early season hunting oppor- Daily Bag: 5; Possession Limit: 10
tunities, especially for beginning hunters. Squir-
rel production and resulting hunting opportuni-
Snowshoe Hare
ties are strongly tied to the previous year’s mast
production, so hunters should key into these During the 2009-2010 hunting season, the
locations when choosing a site to hunt squirrels. results of a mail-in survey indicated that
During the 2009-2010 hunting season, the hunters harvested approximately 15,100
(±6,770) snowshoe hares, with the top coun-
results of a mail-in survey indicated that hunt-
ers harvested approximately 375,200 (±50,060) ties being Lincoln, Vilas, and Oneida.
squirrels, with the top counties being Pierce,
The snowshoe hare season is open statewide
Grant, and Polk. year-round with an unlimited bag limit.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 37
 Furbearer Season Forecast Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Trapping
In a progressive effort to improve the sci- For further information please contact John
By John Olson, Furbearer Specialist ence of furbearer management, the State of Olson, Furbearer Specialist, (715) 685-2934,
Wisconsin, Wisconsin Trappers Association, or Shawn Rossler, Assistant Furbearer Spe-
Wisconsin is blessed with a wonderful diversity of common and unique members of this Wisconsin Conservation Congress and indi-
vidual trappers have been actively involved
cialist, (608) 261-6452. There are now 17
BMP studies completed and available here.
interesting group of wildlife. Beaver, coyote, raccoon, and muskrat are good examples of
the more abundant and common species across our large state. In contrast, the more secre- in an international effort to develop BMPs for
tive bobcat, fisher and otter are present in the north, and slowly expanding southward. And Trapping. This is one of the largest collective Additional Responsibilities
then there’s the American marten, our only state endangered furbearer and barely holding its trap research efforts ever undertaken, with Incidental catches
own in two small regions of the north. the final product being information and sug- Trappers are required to turn in incidentally
gestions that each state and their trappers can trapped animals to local conservation war-
Usually, by mid-summer, folks begin to ask in anticipation: “How are things going out use to improve on animal welfare, trapping dens. They can use the 1-800-TIP-WDNR
there?” or, “What can I expect to see this upcoming fall and winter?” From paddlers, to ber- in general, but specifically, in their trapper hotline (1-800-847-9367) to report inciden-
ry pickers, trekkers to trappers, folks are excited about what’s out there this fall and winter. education programs. tals. These specimens are used in furbearer
Photo by Dave Herr “Advances in trapping through scientific research, and training classes and if pelts are
What’s New in 2010 study are the future of resource management sold, the proceeds are used in our growing
• In 2009, recommendations were made to run the non-resident and resident raccoon seasons in Wisconsin and in the United States, where trapper education program.
concurrently. The proposed rule change would allow non-residents the opportunity to hunt our natural resources belong to all citizens,”
or trap raccoons with resident family and friends during the entire season. The rule change says Tom Hauge, director of the Bureau of Local ordinances
has received department support, and the non-resident season dates will likely change for Wildlife Management. “Regulated harvests, Some villages, cities, and towns throughout
the 2011-12 season. Currently in the legislature, final approval of the rule change will be combined with science-based knowledge, a the state, primarily in urban areas, require
made by August 16, with an effective date of February 1, 2011. Concerns over non-resident caring public, and highly trained conservation special permits and/or have ordinances that
competition were considered minimal as an average of five non-resident trapping licenses officers will provide us with reasonable tools restrict trapping, or the discharge of firearms
are sold annually. with which we can continue to manage wild- or bows. Check with local town or village
• The bobcat trapping season is split between two time periods and permits are valid for only life populations while enjoying the immense offices before you hunt or trap to see if spe-
one of the seasons. Applicants must request either the early season (Oct 16 – Dec 25, 2010) pleasure and knowledge of having intact, cial rules apply! A quality hunting or trap-
or the late season (Dec 26 – Jan. 31, 2011). Cable restraints may be used for bobcat dur- natural systems.” ping experience can be found on public or
ing the December portion of the early season and the entire late season , or until the bobcat private lands, but pre-season scouting and
According to Virgil Schroeder, president of permission from landowners is critical.
season closes, whichever occurs first. “Since this is the first year of the new framework,
the Wisconsin Trappers Association, “If you
the bobcat harvest quota has been split equally between the two time periods,” says Ol-
would like to learn about furbearers, trap-
son. “Permit levels will be lower for the later season until we know what impact the new,
ping history, responsibilities and ethics of
extended season will have on success rates. Generally, snow cover will increase harvest
the modern-day trapper, consider taking the
success as hound hunters can tree bobcats easier and quicker compared to non-snow con-
trapper education course offered by the de-
ditions. We want to take a conservative approach until we understand what impacts this
partment and taught by dedicated volunteer
extended season, through periods of greater snow cover, will have on the overall harvest.
instructors of the Wisconsin Trappers Asso-
• In addition to registering bobcat harvest with a conservation warden, successful hunters and ciation.” If you are interested in becoming
trappers are required to register bobcat using a call-in registration system. Within 24 hours a trapper, completion of the 12-hour, $12.00
of a kill, successful permit holders need to call 1-800-994-6673. The automated system will course is mandatory. To locate a current class
ask the caller to provide several details regarding the harvest. Call-in reporting will allow near you, contact your local DNR office or
DNR officials to close the season early if harvest levels exceed the established quota. check the DNR Internet.

38 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 39
 Photo by Jake Dingel
Beaver
Season Dates
Zone A: Nov. 6 - Apr. 30, 2011
Zone B: Nov. 6 - Apr. 30, 2011
Zone C: Nov. 6 - Mar. 31, 2011
Zone D (Mississippi River): Day after
duck season closes to March 15, 2011
Daily Bag Limit: None
Improved late winter fur prices at the inter-
national auctions may have boosted trapper
interest in the difficult process of chopping
through inches of ice in search of beaver.
Longer seasons, initiated in the 1980s, have
helped to reduce beaver populations as
planned, especially in northeastern Wisconsin.
Statewide, the beaver population estimate is
around 66,800 animals, based on helicopter
surveys of Beaver Zones A & B in 2008. This
is the lowest population estimate since these
surveys began in 1992, and is approximately
half of the 1995 estimate. Concerns over
this decline are being addressed by fish and
wildlife biologists, fishermen, trappers, user
groups and interested citizens.
Regionally, beaver numbers in southeastern
and extreme west-central Wisconsin appear to
be stable or increasing, but decreasing else-
where according to Mike Worland, wildlife
researcher from Rhinelander. Mike coordi-
40
Raccoon
Raccoons are found in a
nates the in- wide variety of both rural and
tensive aerial urban habitats. Those areas
surveys, con- close to a wetland or farm-
ducted every land mosaic have the highest
three to four populations. Even the north-
years in the ern forests are now home to
northern por- raccoons.
tions of the
“We have large populations
state.
of raccoons with the high-
est densities in southern and
The fall
western portions of the state,”
surveys of
reports Shawn Rossler, as-
2008 indi-
cate beaver Photo by Thomas Provost sistant furbearer specialist
for the Department of Natu-
populations of approximately 28,800 beaver
ral Resources. “Raccoons
in northwestern Wisconsin, known as Zone
A, down from 41,000 in 2005, and around
17,500 beavers in northeastern Wisconsin,
are still very abundant in all
counties in a wide variety of
habitats, often to nuisance
known as Zone B, down from 29,000 in 2005.
levels. Populations extend
In Zones A & B, where more intensive man- Wisconsin has a large population of raccoons with the
agement programs exist, the beaver popula- highest densities in southern and western portions of the state.
tion has declined and is now at a level where
northward into portions of
damage to trout streams and town roads are
southern Canada where the
manageable. Because beaver populations are
ancient language of Native
now at or below acceptable levels, the trap-
Americans doesn’t even in-
ping season in Wisconsin opens in early No-
clude the word ‘raccoon’!”
vember, rather than mid-October, and Zone C
closes the end of March rather than the end of
On the western front, Kris
April. Discussions regarding overall beaver
Johansen, wildlife biologist
management are being addressed at this time.
for Buffalo and Trempealeau
counties reports, “Raccoon
numbers remain abundant,
though not quite as high as
the past couple of years.
Despite high numbers, they
seem to be healthy, as we’ve
not experienced any major
disease outbreaks in our
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
counties. Raccoons are doing
well, making this species a
great opportunity to gain ac-
cess to private lands, as farm-
ers and landowners experi-
ence nuisance and damage
problems. Hopefully trappers
and hunters will take advan-
tage of this resource while
their numbers are high and
healthy, and help to maintain
this population in a healthy
condition.”
Canine Distemper Virus
In northeastern Wisconsin,
wildlife biologist Aaron Bu-
chholz, received reports from
trappers and citizens last fall,
finding numerous dead rac-
coon, especially young of
the year. The likely cause of
death was canine distemper
virus. He expects the popu-
lations to rebound quickly,
as raccoon remain plentiful
throughout this portion of the
state, providing trappers and
hunters with plenty of harvest
opportunities.
Julie Langenberg, depart-
ment wildlife veterinarian,
notes that: “High popula-
tions of raccoons can produce
localized effects or pockets
of Canine Distemper Virus
(CDV) infection. In the past,
Photo by Jake Dingel
there have been widespread
problems with CDV causing
raccoon deaths.
“This disease acts as a popu-
lation regulating factor that
controls high raccoon num-
bers and once it’s in the
environment, can spread to
other mammals,” according
to Langenberg. “Infections
were found in less commonly
affected furbearers including
badger, opossum, and mink in
recent years. Everyone should
take special care with rac-
coons acting abnormally as
the clinical signs of distem-
per mimic those of the rabies
virus. Rabies is a fatal viral
disease for humans and other
warm blooded mammals, and
cannot be differentiated from
canine distemper without
laboratory testing.”
Resident Gun/Trapping:
Oct. 16 - Feb. 15, 2011
Non-Resident Gun/Trapping:
Oct. 30 - Feb. 15, 2011
Except: in the Mississippi
River Zone where the sea-
son opens with the muskrat
and mink season.
Daily Bag Limit: None
Back to Top 41
Dog Training
Wildlife managers from around the state sug-
gest that 2010 will be a good year to train that
young dog or ask permission to trap or hunt
furbearers on new lands. Raccoons are a spe-
Mike Zeckmeister, northern region wildlife
supervisor from Spooner urges trappers and
Fisher
hunters to, “make sure to do your homework
with pre-season scouting, and make sure to Season Dates
obtain permission from landowners well in
All zones: October 16 - December 31, 2010

Photo by Lori Richardson/PGC photo

cies where landowner permission to hunt or advance. Through pre-season planning we
trap is normally not a problem, but ask for per- can make our lines more efficient, which
mission now, don’t wait until the week prior to
the season opener.
reduces fuel consumption. This saves money
for the trapper and reduces our carbon foot-
Strong interest in fisher includes the remainder of
harvest has resulted in more the state and will be open
print.”
applicants than permits, es- for harvest in 2010 for the
pecially in Fisher Manage- seventh consecutive year. In
Otter
ment Zone A, in northwestern this zone good opportunities
supervisor from Plymouth in southeastern Wisconsin, and in Fisher exist in southern Marathon,
Wisconsin suggests, “People interested in Management Zones E & F, Shawano and Oconto coun-
river otters should thank those who have in west-central and southern ties
Photo by Hal Korber/PGC photo biologist from Park Falls.
worked so hard to improve the water resourc- Wisconsin. Permit numbers
As Cortney Schaefer, wild- “Although localized areas may
es of southern Wisconsin – farmers, landown- are similar to last year, but
life biologist at Wausua still have considerable fisher,
ers, DNR, Natural Resources Conservation the number of applications
observes: “Marathon coun- many trappers reported low
Service, Land & Water Conservation Dis- received for each zone will
ty trappers have the best numbers of fisher during the
determine whether a trapper
“Factors that impact beaver populations tricts, and Trout Unlimited to name a few.”
Most people are thrilled when they see otters, receives a permit in their zone
opportunity with four dif-
ferent zones and high fisher
last five years.” Yet in other
areas local wildlife managers
have similar effects on otter,” says Shawn while a few trout farmers are not. If damage of choice or is awarded a
Rossler, DNR assistant furbearer specialist. populations, but be sure you are reporting an increase in
occurs, permits are issued, and I only issue preference point.
“Beaver are herbivores that prefer the inner have landowner permission fisher presence.
one or two permits a year.”
bark of aspen, willow and cottonwood for There are six fisher manage- prior to applying for harvest
food, and their branches for construction of ment zones in Wisconsin. permits.”
“The otter harvest is highly regulated, which
dams and lodges, while otter prefer other ani- Fisher Zones A through D
helps to control harvest pressure at a time Areas where fishers have
mals for food, mainly small fish, crayfish, and have the highest fisher popu-
when recent fur prices have fluctuated strong- flourished for over four
amphibians.” lations, with low fisher num-
ly,” says Todd Naas, wildlife biologist for decades are experiencing
bers in northern portions of
Ashland County. localized declines, while
Current statewide otter populations are slight- these zones, and high popula-
adjacent areas have strong
ly below management goals of approximately tions in the southern portions
“Permits are issued based on estimated fall numbers. Jess Carstens,
13,000 animals. Although a majority of the of these zones. Zone E is in
populations and expected success rates,” ex- wildlife biologist for Dunn
population is found in the north, otter num- west-central Wisconsin and
plains Naas. “The harvest quota will remain and Pepin counties and Har-
bers in central and southern Wisconsin appear has a growing fisher popu-
similar to last year, but permit levels fluctu- vey Halvorsen wildlife bi-
to be increasing. They are now present in lation. In Zone E, the best
ate, based on success rates.” ologist in St. Croix County
many of our major river systems of the south- opportunities will be in the
observes a growing popula-
west, namely the Kickapoo, Black, Missis- northern portions, namely
North Zone: Nov. 6 - April 30, 2011 tion in this part of the state.
sippi and Wisconsin rivers and tributaries. Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire
Central Zone: Nov. 6 - Mar. 31, 2011 and Marathon counties, ac- “Fisher numbers remain
Otter, like many of our furbearers, are associ- South Zone: Nov. 6 - Mar. 31, 2011 cording to Kris Belling, west- spotty in Price and southern
ated with and depend on clean rivers, lakes ern regional wildlife super- Ashland and Iron counties,”
Otter permit applications due Aug. 2
and streams. As Dale Katsma, area wildlife visor at Eau Claire. Zone F said Pat Beringer, wildlife
42 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 43

The northern forest bobcat
population increased through
the early 2000s, stabilized,
and has now declined some-
what.
“Even though we’re on the
northern edge of bobcat
range, we do have relatively
good habitat and milder
winters compared to regions
north of Lake Superior,”
states Robert Rolley, wild-
life researcher who studied
bobcats as his doctoral the-
sis. “The population appar-
ently peaked at over 3,000
animals but is now likely
closer to the population goal
of 2,500 bobcats. Some of
this decline appears to be due
to poor production of kit-
tens in 2008, likely a result
of reduced prey availability.
Given normal production,
a population of this level
should yield a sustainable
harvest of 350-400 bobcats.
Final permit numbers will be
determined in late summer
when success rates and quo-
tas are calculated.”
A preference system allows
the continuous applicant
a bobcat tag about every
five to six years. Wildlife
biologists and wardens in
central portions of the state
report an increase in bobcat
44
Bobcat
sightings. Sara Keh-
rli, wildlife biologist in
Columbia County, actu-
ally retrieved a road-
killed bobcat with Iowa
State ear tags from one
of their research proj-
ects! Several citizens, Photo by Don Virgovic
wildlife biologists and state
universities are interested in
or are conducting additional
research on southern Wiscon- carcasses, and in some years
sin bobcats.
“Beginning this year, a $3.00
fee increase at the time of
application will earmark
funds specifically for ad-
ditional bobcat research
in Wisconsin,” according to
Dave MacFarland, furbearer
researcher out of Rhineland-
er.” The money generated
from this fee increase is be-
ing combined with Pittman-
Robertson funds to develop
a bobcat population estimate
south of highway 64. DNR
researchers are cooperating
with professors and stu-
dents at UW-Stevens Point
to design a study using ge-
netic samples collected from
across the southern zone to
estimate population size.”
As with fisher and otter,
bobcat must be tagged at
the point of harvest and
registered with the depart-
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
ment. Hunters and trappers
keep the pelt, but bobcat
otter and fisher carcasses, are
collected from the trapper
or hunter. During the 2010
– 2011 season, carcasses
will be required from all
bobcat, and fishers from all
fisher zones.
“Registration and carcass
collections allow biologists
to gather important manage-
ment information such as
harvest pressure, overall age
structure of the population,
reproductive age, and previ-
ous litter sizes,” explains
Bruce Bacon, wildlife bi-
ologist from Mercer and an
active member of the depart-
ment’s furbearer committee.
Season Dates
North of Highway 64 Only:
Oct 16 – Dec 25, 2010
Dec 26 – Jan. 31, 2011
Bag Limit: One per permit
Mink & Muskrat
Mink and muskrat populations appear to be flooding this year” He further reminds trap-
pers that, “…on US Fish & Wildlife Refuge
doing relatively well in most of the state, with
pockets of good numbers, and other spots with
systems on the Mississippi, you need to have
a USFWS trapping permit and tags, as well as
low numbers.
the Wisconsin license in order to trap.”
On a statewide basis, opportunities to trap
Aaron Buchholz says, “I field numerous calls
these species are quite good, as they exist in
from property owners and municipalities
most areas where permanent water can be
regarding muskrat damage caused by their ex-
found. Brian Glenzinski, wildlife manager in
cavating activity. I always strongly encourage
Walworth and Waukesha counties observes
these folks to reach out to a local trapper for
that, “Muskrats are doing really well and it
help and remind them that big muskrats make
should be a great year for them.” Mark An-
little muskrats every year....consider having
dersen, wildlife biologist for the Mississippi
someone trap muskrat every year as annual
River suggests muskrat populations on the Big
maintenance not as a one time treatment for
River “appear to be good. First litters were
effectively mitigating damage from muskrats.”
not impacted as much, as usual, by spring
Season Dates for Mink & Muskrat
North zone: Oct. 16 – Feb. 28, 2011 Mississippi River Zone: begins the day after
South zone: Oct. 30 – Feb. 28, 2011 duck season closes or the second Monday in
Winnebago zone: Oct. 30 – March 15, 2011 November, whichever occurs first, and closes
Feb. 28, 2011
Bag Limit: None
Fox
"Fox, the smallest of our three native and southern portions of the state. A density
dependent disease, sarcoptic mange, was ob-
canids, prefers a more rural setting," says
served across Wisconsin in susceptible canid
acting southeast regional wildlife biologist,
species including red fox, coyote, and gray
Dale Katsma, who also reports that, “coyote
wolf in 2003, but has diminished significantly.
numbers are stable and steadily increasing
Gray fox have fewer cases of mange and ap-
in the southeast portion of the state, where
pear to be doing well in southern and central
they’ve been known to cause quite a stir
Wisconsin.
around some communities."
Season Dates for Fox
Red fox numbers have in-
creased across many areas Northern Zone: Oct. 16 - Feb. 15, 2011
of the north. Mange and
Southern Zone: Oct. 30 - Feb. 15, 2011
coyote competition have
impacted populations in western Bag Limit: None
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 45
 Coyote
Coyotes, the second largest of Wisconsin’s
native canids, have expanded their range
throughout southern and western Wisconsin.
In the remainder of the state they continue to
do well with the greatest challenge being in
established gray wolf territories, where coy-
otes have bounced back, having learned to be
less vocal and avoid their larger cousin. An
adaptable animal, coyotes seem to fair equally
well in rural, urban and suburban settings.
Wildlife managers and conservation officers
across much of Wisconsin are reporting a
marked increase in coyotes. The same is be-
ing observed for both gray and red fox, with
“reds” closer to human dwellings and grays
in the brush land and woods. Kris Johansen
reports high coyote and fox numbers in west-
central Wisconsin.
“Cable restraints are proving more effective
for coyotes every year as folks are learning to
use this relatively new tool,” says Johansen.
“This year would be a great year to try out
this technique as a way to extend trapping
opportunities into the winter. Cable restraint
trapping also gets trappers out and about dur-
ing snow cover, a great time to read sign and
learn about animal behavior.”
“This tool was
thoroughly tested
during three
years of science-
based research,
and was remark-
able in its ability
to restrain without
injury, any wild or
domestic canine,” said
Steve Hoffman, wildlife
46
biologist from Grantsburg. “After six years
of use by licensed trappers, things are going
well.”
For additional information on cable restraints,
request DNR Publication WM-443-2004,
Cable Restraints in Wisconsin, A Guide to
Responsible Use.
Season Dates for Coyote
HUNTING: Continuous open season ex-
cept closed in the northern Wisconsin wolf
management zone during the regular gun
deer and muzzleloader deer season as well
as the October and December antlerless
only deer hunts.
Bag Limit: None
TRAPPING:
Northern Zone (North of US Highway 64):
Oct 16, 2010 – Feb. 15, 2011
Southern Zone (South of Highway 64):
Oct 30, 2010 – Feb. 15, 2011
Bag Limit: None
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Gray Wolves
Currently, gray wolves are classified as pers who are intimately familiar with their
endangered species in Wisconsin. The US area of the state. This kind of information
Fish and Wildlife Service has attempted to is valuable in our efforts in monitoring
remove the gray wolf from populations. Every observation
the endangered species DNR Photo counts and we welcome the
list in Wisconsin but court help. “
challenges have nullified
all attempts to date. The He also urges trappers who
DNR has filed a petition have incidentally captured a
with the USFWS request- wolf in a coyote trap, to check
ing de-listing and the the local DNR office to see if
Midwest Association of a wildlife biologist is available
Fish and Wildlife Agencies nearby to help release the wolf
recently delivered a resolu- and place a radio collar on it.
tion with a similar request Wydeven states that “every ad-
to USFWS. The depart- ditional collared wolf on the air
ment continues to work helps us do a better job keeping
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service track of wolves in the state.”
to de-list wolves, but at present, depreda-
tion control work and landowner shooting
permits have been curtailed as we wait
for special approval allowing the possible
dispatch of captured depredators.
The gradual increase in numbers and ex-
pansion of the gray wolf across northern
and west-central portions of the state offer
a unique opportunity for hunters and trap-
pers to observe these wild and wonderful
canines. Doug Fendry, wildlife biologist
from Fitchburg also observes that, “occa-
sionally wolves are observed in southern
Wisconsin.”
All sightings of wolves should be reported
according to Adrian Wydeven, DNR mam-
malian ecologist and wolf expert.
“We encourage the public to report their
observations, especially hunters and trap-
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 47
Photo by Chad Hood
The American (Pine) Marten
American martens, also known as “pine
martens”, are a state protected mammal and
currently the only mammal on Wisconsin’s
Endangered species list. Reintroduced into
the Chequamegon and Nicolet National For-
ests in northwest and northeast Wisconsin
decades ago, their numbers remain very low.
Jim Woodford, endangered resources conser-
vation biologist reminds folks that, “Martens
are a rare and unique member of our northern
forest ecosystems that will require additional
efforts to retain in Wisconsin for our future
generations. To improve their chances, DNR,
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and
the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife
Commission are continuing to stock addi-
tional wild martens into the Chequamegon
National Forest this fall.
Dave MacFarland adds, “Approximately
half of the marten released into the state have
been fitted with radio collars. The data gener-
ated from these animals are being analyzed to
determine causes of mortality and to improve
Anyone with marten observations please forward this information to their local wildlife
biologist or Jim Woodford at 715-365-8856, or Adrian Wydeven at 715-762-1363.
48
our understanding of the habitats
best suited to their survival. This
information will help direct and
inform our future recovery ef-
forts.”
Although they have not ventured
far from the original release sites
biologists have discovered ad-
ditional martens in northern Iron
County. Bruce Bacon, wildlife
biologist for Iron County says
local trappers helped determine
where these rare martens have
been living for the last ten years,
and through their help we may learn of their
connection with martens in our neighboring
state of Michigan.
Bacon also has a number of martens radio-
collared and the animals are being tracked as
part of the Woods and Waters program in the
Hurley and Mercer High Schools. He also
adds that fisher depredation may be an im-
portant factor in the success or failure of the
marten re-introduction efforts, and with fisher
numbers down at this time it may be a fac-
tor in the success of martens in Iron County.
Trappers are urged to consider using live trap-
ping techniques such as cage traps, or foot-
hold traps in areas occupied by martens.
The more restrictive trapping regulations
remain in effect within the two Marten Protec-
tion Areas. Maintenance of the restrictions in
these areas is critically important to retaining
martens in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Migratory Game Bird/Waterfowl Season Forecast
by Kent Van Horn, Waterfowl Biologist
Severe drought conditions across The Wisconsin Breeding Waterfowl
northern Wisconsin and below Survey was completed in May, and
average wetland numbers in is very important since a large pro-
southern Wisconsin have had portion of the ducks harvested in
the expected impact on lower Wisconsin are raised in Wisconsin.
than average 2010 breeding duck The second source of informa-
numbers, according to migratory tion is a cooperative survey
game bird ecologist, Kent Van Horn.
Preliminary continent-scale in-
of Canada geese, the Missis-
sippi Valley Population (MVP)
formation shows areas ranging Breeding Survey, organized by
from very good wetland condi-
tions to very dry.
the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources.
Three primary sources of in- The final piece is the U.S. Fish
formation on yearly waterfowl and Wildlife Service breeding
breeding conditions are used to waterfowl survey for the north-
determine the fall season structure ern U.S., Canada, and Alaska,
for Wisconsin. which was released in early
July.
All photos on this page by Ryan Brady
Wetland Conditions
Canada - Waterfowl breeding areas in Wisconsin - In Wisconsin, wetland condi-
Canada this spring had mostly fair to good tions ranged from poor to marginal. Wetland
conditions with smaller areas of excellent numbers observed during the spring survey
and poor habitat. Waterfowl breeding is ex- were down around 50% across the north,
pected to be good overall in Canada. and 26%-37% throughout the south. How-
ever, brood rearing habitat should be much
U.S. Prairies – Precipitation and wetland improved since much needed rainfall finally
habitats in the U.S. prairies for 2010 were came after the survey date.
mostly good overall. Breeding duck num-
bers in North Dakota were up across the
board. However, biologists continue to be
concerned over the continued risk of habitat
loss due to grasslands being taken out of the
CRP program.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 49
Ducks - Continentally Mallards
Across North America mallard numbers was still 36 percent above the long term average. The 2009 total mallard population estimate of 198,242 is a 1%
similar to 2009 and 12% above the long-term An overall duck season of 60 days will be decrease from 2009 and 9% above the long-term mean (37 year

Photo by Dave Herr

(55 year) average in the traditional survey available for 2010. mean). With moderate overall wetland habitat across the state
area of the US and Canada. Combining the this year biologists expect average mallard production. Mallards
The picture for several other species of ducks
traditional survey area number with the breed- contribute nearly 40% of the overall state duck harvest in Wis-
that breed outside of Wisconsin but of inter-
ing mallard numbers from the Great Lakes consin. Overall the breeding population of mallards in Wiscon-
est to Wisconsin hunters is relatively good as
states (MN, MI, WI), a total of 8.6 million sin appears to have leveled off between 200,000-250,000 mallards in recent years.
well. Scaup (4.2 million) and pintail (3.5 mil-
breeding mallards were counted compared to
lion) numbers are both similar to 2009 and are
8.5 million in 2009. Green-winged teal num-
only somewhat below the long-term average.
bers (3.5 million) in 2010 were similar to the
2009 population and are 78 percent above the
Canvasback (0.6 million) estimates are similar Blue-Winged Teal
to both last year and the long-term average. The 2010 blue-winged teal breeding popula- “We continue to have a concern for sustain-
long term average. Green-winged teal are
generally the 3rd or 4th most abundant duck tion estimate of 50,188 is a 56% decrease able breeding habitat for both mallards and
in Wisconsin’s fall harvest and many of these from 2009 and is 57% below the long term breeding blue-winged teal in Wisconsin,” Van
teal breed in northern Ontario. Continental mean that excludes the “migrant years” of Horn said. We continue to be concerned over
blue-winged teal breeding numbers (6.3 mil- 1981, 2004 and 2005 when blue-winged teal the lack of secure grassland nesting cover
lion) were down 14 percent from 2009 but still passing through Wisconsin were count- important to this duck species, particularly in
ed. This is the first year of blue-winged teal the light of the loss of nearly 200,000 acres
breeding estimates under 100,000 in the past of CRP grassland set aside in Wisconsin since
Ducks - Wisconsin 7 years. Additional years of data will be 2007.
The four most abundant Overall, breeding duck survey results indicate a needed to reveal whether this is part of the
ducks in Wisconsin’s fall healthy, relatively stable population of breeding decline from historic populations that has
hunting harvest are mallards, ducks in Wisconsin been witnessed here in Wisconsin.
wood ducks, green-winged
winged teal counts. Overall, any real change in the actual
teal and blue-winged teal.
Van Horn notes that many breeding duck survey results population,” says Van Horn. Wood Ducks
of the ducks harvested in indicate a healthy, relatively “In addition to the science of
stable population of breeding the survey, experience plays In 2010, the population estimate for wood ducks is 106,785 which is 6%
Wisconsin come from birds
ducks in Wisconsin respond- a role. There are many things below 2009 but 41% above the long-term mean. The 2010 estimate for
that breed in Wisconsin, in
ing to normal annual fluctua- that can impact the results of wood ducks is at a level similar to the recent 10 year average. This will
contrast to other states in the
tions in wetland conditions. a single year’s survey results. likely be the third year of a 3 duck bag limit on wood ducks, and this

Photo by Sara Kehrli

flyway that rely more heavily
on birds raised in the prairies
or boreal forests of Canada.
The 2010 total Wisconsin
breeding duck population
estimate of 386,501 is down
23% from 2009 and 12% be-
low the long-term mean (37
years). The decline in total
ducks from 2008 to 2009 was
mostly a result of low blue-
50
This is a positive indication
that hunting regulations and
habitat management and pro-
tection are working, accord-
ing to Van Horn.
“These are population esti-
mates – not exact counts – so
changes of near 20 percent
up or down in the estimates
each year may not reflect
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
For instance, early spring increase has provided some great opportunity for hunters targeting wood
leaf-out this year may have ducks when hunting other species was slow.
impacted observers’ visibility
of teal. That’s why it’s im-
portant to look at the long-
term and recent trends in Migratory Bird Hunters: Don’t forget to be HIP...
populations rather than focus
that is HIP as in Harvest Information Program
only on year to year varia-
tions in order to get a real * * *
feel for how populations are For more information about the HIP program, click here
doing in the long haul”.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 51
Canada Geese
“Although it may vary de-
pending on to fall weather
conditions and bird move-
ments, hunters should have the
opportunity for a good goose
season,” Van Horn says.
“There are two different
populations of Canada geese
that are present in Wisconsin
during the regular fall hunting
season,” says Van Horn. One
population, called resident
giant Canada geese, nests in
Wisconsin. The statewide
breeding Canada goose popu-
lation estimate of 165,853 is
up 12% from 2009 and double
the long-term (24-year) mean.
Another population of slightly
smaller birds nests in north-
ern Ontario along the coast of
Hudson Bay and then migrates
through Wisconsin and other
Midwestern states. These
geese are referred to as the
Mississippi Valley Population
(MVP). Results from the most
current banding data indicate
that about 40% of Wisconsin’s
regular goose season harvest
comes from the MVP.
After a couple years of harsh
weather, the nesting grounds
in northern Ontario experi-
enced a very early spring and
ice-out in 2010. This made for
good nesting conditions, but
nest predation was unusually
high, resulting in only aver-
age production. The estimated
52
2010 breeding population
of MVP Canada geese
was 339,310, up 42%
from 239,631 in 2009 and
6% below the 1989-2009
average. Lower num-
bers of younger and other
non-breeding adults were
observed, partially be-
cause the early nesting date
would have minimized the
potential to count groups
of molt migrants.
The harvest of MVP geese
is shared by several other
states and provinces. For
many years, quotas had
been set to protect the
breeding population and
distribute harvest among
several states. In 2007, a
new management strategy
in the Mississippi Flyway
replaced the quota system
with a 5-year stable season
trial. Because there are
many more giant geese in
the flyway, it is thought
that the impact of hunter
Exterior Zone: 85 days
Horicon Zone: 92 days (with 6 harvest tags per hunter).
Horicon will be divided into 2 permit periods:
Period 1: Sept. 16 - Oct. 31
Period 2: Nov. 1 - Dec. 16
Collins Zone: 67 days (with 6 harvest tags per hunter)
Daily Bag Limit for all zones: 2 birds
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast
Early Canada Goose Season
The early Canada goose hunt-
ing period specifically targets
local breeding giant Canada
geese and is held before mi-
gratory geese begin to move
into Wisconsin.
A new record high of 24,276
geese were harvested during
Photo by Joe Kosack, PGC
harvest on MVP geese will be
The Early Canada goose season will run statewide
from Sept. 1-15, with a daily bag of five geese.
buffered by that of the resident
Burnett County Subzone: Closed
giants. In the end, the hope is
that this will better control the
Woodcock
increasing numbers of resident
geese, while still providing
for ample hunting opportu-
Over the last 30-plus years,
nity. The most recent harvest
the woodcock population
derivations from banding data
across its range in the Mid-
suggest that we are meeting
west and northeast U.S. has
our management goal of main-
shown
taining harvest pressure on our
a steady
resident nesting geese while
decline
not increasing the harvest on
which
the MVP birds. MVP popula-
bi-
tions will continue to be moni-
ologists
tored during this fourth year of
believe
the five-year trial.
is pri-
marily
related to
changes Photo by Jake Dingel, PG
C
in forest
habitat. However, in Wis-
consin, this decline appears
to have leveled off with no
significant change over the
last 12 years except for a
minimal decline this year.
Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week
this early season in 2008, but management,” Van Horn says.
the 2009 harvest was low Hunters should note that this
throughout the state, mostly season requires a special per-
as a result of warm condi- mit and $3 fee.
tions and late crop harvest.
The Early Canada goose sea-
“This has become a popular
son will run statewide from
early hunting season and an
Sept. 1-15, with a daily bag of
important part of our resident
five geese.
Canada goose population
*Burnett County Subzone:
Closed
Interest in pursuing the “tim- Woodcock season:
berdoodle” throughout the Sept. 25 to Nov. 8
forests of Wisconsin remains Daily bag of three birds.
high with about 20,000
Hunters are reminded that
wood-
they must be HIP certified
cock
while hunting woodcock.
hunters
partici-
pating
in 2009.
Wis-
consin
ranks
second
in the
nation for woodcock harvest,
with 30,000 birds harvested
last year. Overall, hunters
should expect to see wood-
cock numbers similar to the
last few years and depending
on the weather, should enjoy
a good fall.
Back to Top 53
Mourning Dove
Note: Hunters must use
non-toxic shot when hunt-
ing doves on DNR managed
lands.
Wisconsin’s eighth dove
hunting season will again
run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 9
this year. Approximately
10,000 to 15,000 dove hunt-
ers are expected to take to
the field at some point dur-
ing the season.
Hunters are again being
asked to examine harvested
doves closely for any leg
bands. For the fifth consecu-
tive year, Wisconsin is par-
ticipating in a national plan
to monitor mourning dove
populations for harvest man-
agement. Biologists set a
goal of capturing and band-
ing 750 doves at several lo-
cations in south, central and
eastern area of the state with
a small aluminum US Fish
and Wildlife Service leg
54
Hunters who practice firearm safety live to tell the tale
band. Hunters who harvest on the hunting and trapping “Those who don’t practice firearm safety are walking threats to themselves, their friends and
a banded dove are asked to regulations page of the DNR families and others enjoying the outdoors,” Conservation Warden Tim Lawhern said. “The four
report them to the Bird Band- Web site. rules of firearm safety are logical, easy-to-remember and critical to a successful and fun outing.”
ing Lab online or by phone at
Hunters are reminded that
1-800-327-Band (2263). Lawhern, who heads the Department of Natural Resources hunter education program, said all
mourning doves are migra-
In recent years, the spring call tory game birds so hunters firearms owners must know these four rules and practice them without fail every time guns are
count surveys, coordinated must be HIP certified and handled.
by the U.S. Fish and Wild-
life Service, estimated that
hunt with a plugged shotgun
that only holds 3 shells. They
They are: TAB-K
the continental population of
mourning doves was about
must also use non-toxic shot
when hunting on federal or - reat every firearm as if loaded. “Never assume a firearm is unloaded,” Lawhern said.
-T
350 million, making it one department managed lands, “And still treat it as if it is loaded if you know upon checking it is not. Habits are formed
of the most abundant birds in and if they choose to use lead with repetition.”
North America. The 10-year shot elsewhere, be mindful
population trend for Wiscon- that possession of lead shot - lways point the muzzle in a safe direction. “About one third of all hunting incidents
-A
are self inflicted injuries,” he said, adding that means the muzzle was pointed at the hunter’s
sin has held stable, showing would prohibit them from
body or someone else. “There are no accidental discharges with firearms -- only unwanted
a 1.7 % increase. Hunters hunting waterfowl.
discharges.
should expect to see numbers
Doves use a wide range of
of doves similar to the last
couple of years.
habitats but fields with an - e certain of your target and what is beyond it. “Positive target identification is a must.
-B
abundance of weed seeds or To shoot at something you only think is a legal target is gambling with a human life and
“Regulations and license grain, open gravel areas and reckless,” Lawhern said. “Equal to making sure you know your target is being sure what
requirements for dove hunt- water sources are all good is behind that target. We don’t always hit our targets. You must make certain the bullet that
ing are contained in the locations to find doves. Suc- travels beyond or through the target will do no harm as it comes to rest.”
2010 Small Game Hunting cessful hunting is usually
Regulations pamphlet, which
is available at any location
a product of good location
scouting.
- eep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. “If a hunter stumbles
-K
with the finger inside the trigger guard, that hand is likely going to close around the pistol
that sells hunting licenses or grip of the gun and fire the gun,” Lawhern said. “The consequences of this stupidity could
be deadly.”
Youth Waterfowl Hunt - Sept. 18 -19 “Every hunting incident involving a firearm can be traced back to a violation of one or more
This special hunt aims to recruit new hunters in Wisconsin. In of these four simple rules,” Lawhern said. “Be smart and learn them, then be a good friend and
recent years, about 2,500 youth have taken advantage of this demand the same of your friends.”
opportunity and harvested almost 9,000 ducks and about 250
geese. The dates for this year’s youth hunt are Sept. 18 -19. Click here to learn more, enroll or complete online hunter education courses
The daily bag for ducks is the same as the regular season. In
the exterior zone a youth must purchase and possess an exte-
rior goose permit. In the Horicon and Collins zones, a youth
possessing a valid tag for any time period within that zone
may hunt geese within the zone where the tag is valid.
Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast Questions? Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-WDNR-INFo, 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days a week Back to Top 55
Questions about anything in this fall hunting forecast?
Call the DNR Call Center toll-free at:
1-888-WDNR INFO (1-888-936-7463) • local 608-266-2621.
Staff are available 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Hmong and Spanish speaking representatives available

Open Closed

Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri
You may also find assistance Antigo Oshkosh

at DNR Service Centers, but Ashland Park Falls

with limited hours and days
Baldwin Peshtigo
open for counter services.
When open, hours of op- Black River Falls Plymouth

eration are 9:00 to 12:30 and Cumberland Poynette

1:30 to 4:00. See chart. Dodgeville Rhinelander

Eau Claire Spooner

Fitchburg Sturgeon Bay

Green Bay Sturtevant

Hayward Superior

Horicon Waukesha

Janesville Wausau

La Crosse Wautoma

Ladysmith Wisconsin Rapids

Milwaukee Woodruff

General mailing address:

Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707
dnr.wi.gov

Support Ethical, Responsible Hunting and Trapping • Report Violations

CALL: 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367; toll free) or #367 from your cell phone (free
for U.S. Cellular customers). Note: this is NOT an information number.
TEXT: Text a tip to 847411 (only available from 7 am - 10 pm). Standard text rates apply.
EMAIL: le.hotline@wisconsin.gov.

56 Wisconsin DNR 2010 Fall Hunting Forecast