Operation Deer Watch
Stay Informed
Survey reports will be updated regularly. For more information, contact:
Brian Dhuey
Survey Analyst/Database Manager
Bureau of Science Services
(608) 221-6342
Report Observations online
Help monitor deer reproduction in Wisconsin. Starting in 2010 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources asked for summer deer observations from Wisconsin outdoor enthusiasts and hunters. Deer observations have always been part of our deer management program. Yearly since 1960, DNR employees have reported the location, deer type, and number of deer seen from dawn to dusk for the summer months while going about their daily activities. The department is interested in all deer sightings of bucks, does, and fawns. Data from Operation Deer Watch is used with DNR observations to help determine the fawn-to-doe ratio and ultimately deer population estimates.
Participation by Wisconsinites is critical to the success of Operation Deer Watch. The vast amount of observation data that citizens can provide will help the Department of Natural Resources effectively monitor Wisconsin’s deer reproduction. The number of deer seen and the number of fawns seen with each doe are indicators of annual production of our deer herd. We ask that you participate in this important survey by taking the time to document information about your summer deer observations. The survey period begins August 1st and continues until September 30th. You can help by recording and reporting YOUR observations of deer during these two months.
It is important that you record your observations of all does with fawns, does without fawns, lone fawns, bucks, and unknown deer. Last summer, Operation Deer Watch generated more than 4,000 observations. A total of 9,662 deer were observed by 1,378 individual observers during August and September 2010. The goal of ODW is to gauge the number of fawns produced. This is important information for deer managers and each summer new observational data are put into the population estimate. The statewide estimate for the 2010 fawn-to-doe ratio using Operation Deer Watch data was 0.89.
Picture of deer courtesy of Carol Steinmetz.
Survey Guidelines
Guidelines for Operation Deer Watch:
- Report only for the months of August and September.
- Be sure to enter deer management unit (map included on survey) for each observation.
- Record only those deer observed from dawn to dusk (when headlights are not used for driving).
- Use one survey form for each observation. An observation is defined as all the deer seen at any one time in any location; e.g., If you see a doe and stop your car, and after waiting a few minutes see two fawns apparently with the doe, that would be one observation. If upon driving a couple more miles you see another deer, that would be another observation.
- Record all deer you see, not just does with fawns.
- DO NOT include multiple observations if you are sure the same deer is being seen repeatedly.
- Do not include trail camera counts in your observations. Please do not send trail camera photos.
- If you would like to have a summary of your observations e-mailed to you at the end of the survey period, enter your e-mail address for every observation.
You can record your observations at the end of every day, or for times when you will not have access to a computer and the web and would like to keep track of your observations, please print out this tally sheet [PDF 126KB] and record your sightings. Then periodically return to the survey page, using the tally sheet to help you fill out the survey.
Please feel free to inform others of this survey. Thank you in advance for all your hard work and cooperation.
Contact Information
Please contact Brian Dhuey
Survey Analyst/Database Manager
Bureau of Science Services
(608) 221-6342
Preliminary Results
Available as the data comes in.
Video Narration
Kris Belling, Regional Wildlife Supervisor- Eau Claire in a WEAU-TV13 interview describes the Wisconsin "Operation Deer Watch" initiative, and encourages residents to report deer sightings:
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