Wildlife Management

Hunting

CWD in Wisconsin

Hunting Opportunities

Trapping

Wildlife Health

Captive Wildlife

Wildlife Damage

Wildlife Recreation Lands

Baiting and Feeding Deer

In the past two years, the case for prohibiting baiting and feeding deer in Wisconsin has been strengthened by additional research into deer disease transmission and the behavioral responses of deer to the repeated placement of small volumes of food.

Deer Hunting in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is recognized as one of the premier deer hunting states in the nation as Wisconsin is home to a thriving deer herd. Wildlife habitat changes during the past century due to farming, logging, and urban expansion have led to the evolution of new method for managing our deer populations in an attempt to control their numbers under a wide array of habitats and social conditions.

Wildlife biologists in Wisconsin have developed population models for deer. The model depends on information gathered primarily from the hunters themselves. Such information includes the actual number of deer harvested annually, and the sex and age of each animal. When applied to a specific geographical "unit," it is possible for biologists to accurately estimate the number of deer living in that unit. They can then estimate the numbers that may be harvested to keep populations at healthy levels that are socially acceptable to both hunters and nonhunters alike. For more information, please feel free to read "Wisconsin's Deer Management Program: [PDF 1.72MB], The Issues Involved in the Decision-Making."

2008 Deer Hunting Season Report

The 9-day gun season ran November 22-30, 2008. Overall, deer hunting license sales are stable for the year. Today’s tough economy didn’t keep hunters from travelling to Wisconsin to hunt. 2008 was the third safest hunting season. Preliminary harvest numbers indicate that in parts of the state the deer harvest was significantly down. View detailed reports [PDF 293KB].

Deer Management Unit Review Process

The goals and boundaries of our 131 DMUs serve as the foundation for managing the deer herd and determining deer hunting seasons in Wisconsin. The department conducts a DMU review approximately every three years. The most recent review was completed in January 2005. These reviews consider current biological, social and economic impacts of deer as well as public opinion.

A diverse stakeholder panel has been established to collaborate in the review process. The Stakeholder Advisory Group will provide recommendations to the Department Deer Committee. The Department Deer Committee will then develop recommendations to the Secretary of the Department that give due consideration to panel advice. Advisory Panel recommendations will be provided as a report to the Secretary and the Natural Resources Board.

The Stakeholder Advisory Panel was asked to:

  • collaborate with the Department on the 2008 DMU review
  • consider available information presented from specialists regarding ecological and socio-economic factors
  • consider alternatives for unit consolidations resulting from sex-age-kill model audit recommendations
  • gather constituent input to share with other panel members
  • consider public input collected at local public meetings held around the state
  • develop recommendations for the Department Deer Committee on DMU goal and boundary changes

The public can monitor the progress of the stakeholder panel at this website. [Exit DNR]. Shortly we hope to have an online survey to gather public input at this site as well.

Season Information

Where to Hunt

Special Hunts

Harvest Information

Other Topics

SAK Audit

The SAK Stakeholder Steering Committee received this draft report reviewing Wisconsin DNR's use of the Sex-Age-Kill (SAK) deer population model. The report is from a SAK Model Review Panel consisting of biologists and statisticians selected by the SAK Stakeholder Steering Committee. The Natural Resources Board accepted the SAK audit report in February of 2007.

Audit Report [PDF 950KB]

Tim Van Deelen, Wildlife Professor from the University of Wisconsin, provides a brief explanation of the SAK model.

Dr. Mark Boyce delivered the review panel’s draft report to the NRB on Dec 5, 2006 and repeated his presentation for this recording.

Cervid Import/Export Restrictions

Questions for Wildlife Management

Last Revised: Wednesday June 17 2009