There are currently 131 deer management units with individual overwinter populations goals and a statewide over winter population goal of approximately 737,000 deer. Over winter population goals and DMUs serve as the foundation for managing the deer herd and determining deer hunting season structures. All goals referred to in this rule are the over winter deer population goal for a DMU. The hunting season population will generally be substantially larger than the over winter population goal.
The Department is proposing raising deer population goals in 13 management units and lowering the goal in three.
These changes are recommended to provide hunters with more deer hunting opportunities in instances where goals are proposed for increases and to alleviate agricultural damage in the instances where the goals have been recommended for a decrease. The department does not anticipate significant ecological, agricultural or forestry impacts because of the proposed goal increases. However, there is a concern that a higher goal with low hunter densities will mean continuous herd control seasons.
Deer
Management Unit
|
Current Goal Density
|
Proposed Goal Density
|
3
|
16
|
15
|
6
|
12
|
15
|
14
|
14
|
18
|
49A
|
25
|
20
|
57
|
22
|
25
|
59B
|
15
|
20
|
59M
|
10
|
15
|
60A
|
20
|
25
|
60B
|
20
|
25
|
60M
|
10
|
15
|
64
|
20
|
25
|
64M
|
10
|
15
|
68B
|
30
|
25
|
77C
|
15
|
20
|
77M
|
10
|
15
|
80B
|
20
|
25
|
Comparison with federal regulations
Provided state rules and statutes do not relieve individuals from the restrictions, requirements and conditions of federal statutes and regulations. Regulation of hunting and trapping of native species has been delegated to state fish and wildlife agencies. Additionally, none of the proposed rules exceed the authorities granted the states in
50 CFR 10.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
All of Wisconsin's neighboring states have established management units for the purpose of managing deer populations. By using units with identifiable boundaries, deer populations can be monitored and kept at various population levels to more effectively control the deer herd and to address regional differences in habitat, population (human and deer) and to reduce conflict with other land uses such as residential, agricultural or forested.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
The Department has evaluated the need for deer population goal reviews based on the following criteria; 1) Carrying capacity as determined by unit population responses to habitat quality and historical records of winter severity, 2) Hunter success in harvesting and seeing deer and public deer viewing opportunities, 3) Ecological and economic impacts of deer browsing, 4) Disease transmission, 5) Concern for deer vehicle collisions, 6) Chippewa treaty harvest, 7) Hunter access to land in a deer management unit, 8) Ability to keep the deer herd in a deer management unit at goal, 9) Tolerable levels of deer damage to crops. In addition, an Environmental Assessment was prepared in 1995. Copies of Deer Population Goals and Harvest Management Environmental Assessment are available from the department upon request.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
These rules, and the legislation which grants the department rule making authority, do not have a significant fiscal effect on the private sector or small businesses.
These rules are applicable to individual sportspersons and impose no compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses, nor are any design or operational standards contained in the rule.
Small Business Impact
Pursuant to s.
227.114, Stats., it is not anticipated that the proposed rules will have a significant economic impact on small businesses.
Environmental Impact
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.
Fiscal Estimate
Assumptions used in arriving at fiscal estimate
A potential fiscal impact of increasing deer population goals is an increase of agricultural damage and associated claims and abatement costs. Fiscal impacts are not anticipated as a result of this rulemaking, however, because the proposed increases are minor, five or fewer deer per square mile of deer range. Some units currently have deer populations which are actually higher than the proposed goals.
State fiscal effect
None.
Local government fiscal effect
None.
Long-range fiscal implications
None.
Agency Contact Information
Keith Warnke
101 S. Webster Street
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
(608) 264-6023
or
Scott Loomans
101 S. Webster Street
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
(608) 267-2452
