Natural Resources
(Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1-)
Notice is hereby given that pursuant to ss. 29.014, 29.889 and 227.11, Stats., interpreting ss. 29.177, 29.181, 29.361 and 29.889, Stats., the Department of Natural Resources will hold public hearings on revisions to chs. NR 1, 10, 12 and 19 , Wis. Adm. Code, relating to deer hunting and the wildlife damage abatement and claims program. The following proposals would establish a new deer season framework for 2001 and beyond:
1. Create a permanent 4-day December antlerless deer season.
2. Begin the early archery season on the Saturday closest to September 15.
3. End the early archery season on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
4. Begin the late archery season on the Monday after Thanksgiving.
5. End the late archery season on the Saturday closest to January 15.
6. Extend the muzzleloader season by 3 days.
7. Establish a one-day youth gun deer hunt the Saturday closest to October 24.
The proposed rule also establishes a statewide protocol for deer herd control seasons as follows:
1. Adds a 4-day antlerless only gun season beginning on the Thursday nearest October 22 if the season structure outlined above is not expected to bring a deer herd within 20% of the established population goal for a deer management unit.
2. Adds a earn-a-buck requirement to the season structure after 2 years of herd control seasons if the season structure outlined above in not expected to bring a deer herd within 20% of the established population goal for a deer management unit.
3. Eliminates the requirement of public meetings in the affected units and Natural Resources Board approval.
4. Expands the herd control authority from only farmland units to all deer management units.
The proposed rule adds criteria to be considered by the Department when establishing deer population goals for deer management units including:
1. Hunter success in harvesting and seeing deer and public deer viewing opportunities, hunter access to private land, and ability to keep herds in a deer management unit at goal are factors to be considered when establishing goals. These additional criteria along with the 6 current criteria in s. NR 1.15(2) would be considered when establishing deer population goals.
2. Establishes tolerable standards of agricultural damage and requires the Department to reduce goals when damage exceeds the standards for 2 of 3 years between unit reviews, when the herd was at goal, during the review period, unless a goal reduction is not expected to alleviate intolerable levels of deer damage.
Finally, the proposed rule involves modifications to the current wildlife damage and abatement claims program that require farmers enrolled in the wildlife damage and abatement claims program in a given year who experience $1,000 or more damage in that year be automatically issued a shooting permit by January 31 the following year. They are then required to meet a harvest objective of 80% of the harvest quota by September 15 in order to qualify for benefits of the wildlife damage abatement and claims program in the following year.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
Notice is hereby further given that pursuant to s. 227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on small businesses.
Environmental Assessment
Notice is hereby further given that the Department has made a preliminary determination that this action does not involve significant adverse environmental effects and does not need an environmental analysis under ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code. However, based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the proposal. This environmental review document would summarize the Department's consideration of the impacts of the proposal and reasonable alternatives.
Hearing Information
Notice is hereby further given that the hearings will be held on:
December 4, 2000 Basement Meeting Room
Monday DNR Spooner Service Center
at 7:00 p.m. 810 W. Maple
Spooner
December 4, 2000 Basement Meeting Room
Monday Best Western Royale
at 7:00 p.m. 5110 Main Street
Stevens Point
December 5, 2000 DNR Western Region Hdqrs.
Tuesday 1300 W. Clairemont Ave.
at 7:00 p.m. Eau Claire
December 5, 2000 Fireside Room
Tuesday Nicolet Area Tech College
at 7:00 p.m. University Transfer Center
County Highway G
Rhinelander
December 11, 2000 Gymnasium
Monday Pembine High School
at 7:00 p.m. N18775 Sauld Street
Pembine
December 11, 2000 Public Library
Monday 124 W. Main Street
at 7:00 p.m. Sparta
December 12, 2000 Downstairs Meeting Room
Tuesday Brown Co. Library
at 7:00 p.m. 515 Pine St.
Green Bay
December 12, 2000 DNR Janesville Service Center
Tuesday 2514 Morse Road
at 7:00 p.m. Janesville
December 13, 2000 Room C101
Wednesday 1500 N. University Drive
at 7:00 p.m. UW-Waukesha
Waukesha
December 13, 2000 Public Library
Wednesday 502 Main Street West
at 7:00 p.m. Ashland
December 14, 2000 DNR Dodgeville Service Center
Thursday 1500 N. Johns Street
at 7:00 p.m. Dodgeville
December 14, 2000 Public Library
Thursday 32 Sheboygan Street
at 7:00 p.m. Fond du Lac
Notice is hereby further given that pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request, Please call William VanderZouwen at (608) 266-8840 with specific information on your request at least 10 days before the date of the scheduled hearing.
Written Comments and Contact Information
Written comments on the proposed rule may be submitted to Mr. William VanderZouwen, Bureau of Wildlife Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 no later than December 15, 2000. Written comments will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the hearings. A copy of the proposed rule [WM-40-00] and fiscal estimate may be obtained from Mr. VanderZouwen.
Fiscal Estimate
1. This administrative rule package includes the following proposals to change the current deer season framework:
• Create a permanent 4-day December antlerless deer season.
Begin the early archery season on the Saturday closest to September 15.
End the early archery season on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
