DNR seeks public input on 2022 deer season through Friday
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on the county-level antlerless harvest quotas and other key parts of the 2022 deer hunt.
The DNR welcomes comments from anyone interested in helping shape local deer herd management preferences during the online comment period, which goes through Friday, April 15.
Each county in Wisconsin has a County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) to provide input and recommendations to the department on deer management within their county.
In early May, each CDAC will make recommendations to the department for the 2022 season based on deer herd metrics, county deer population objectives and public feedback. The DNR will bring its recommendations for the 2022 season to the Natural Resources Board in the summer.
Taylor County’s CDAC, on March 30, recommended setting a total antlerless harvest quota of 2,750 deer in the county for the 2022 season. Of that total, a harvest of 2,500 was recommended for private lands, while 250 would be on public lands. Using a projected success rate of 25%, 10,000 bonus antlerless authorizations are proposed for private land hunting. Using a projected success rate of 21%, there are and 1,200 tags proposed for public land.
To submit feedback, visit https://dnrwi.az1.qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_51M2x0oV0oybaQu. County CDACs throughout the state will meet April 25 through May 5 to finalize their recommendations. Taylor County’s in-person meeting is set for Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Red-White Theatre at Medford Area Senior High School. That meeting can also be attended via Zoom. The computer link is https://us02web. zoom.us/j/88456624064. To enter by phone, the number is 888-475-4499 with the passcode being 884 5662 4064.
You can review county harvest and population metrics and summaries of March meetings using the Wisconsin deer metrics system (https://dnr.wisconsin. gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/deermetrics.html).
Each County Deer Advisory Council works with local DNR staff to:
_ Schedule meetings.
_ Provide community outreach and an opportunity for public input.
_ Review population data and deer impacts.
_ Develop recommendations on county population objectives.
_ Create annual antlerless harvest quotas.
