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MADISON -- Deer hunters have an opportunity to bring home some additional venison and help wildlife managers regain control of extremely high deer populations in northeastern Wisconsin during a Zone –T antlerless hunt on Oct. 28-31.
The hunt will take place in deer management units 51A, 62B, 63A, 65B, 66, 67B, 80A and state park unit 80C. Hunter access to unit 80C is limited to hunters who successfully applied for this unit hunt prior to July 20. Antlerless permits for the Zone-T hunt are free and are available until Dec. 31.
"It’s time for deer hunters to take on the role of deer managers," said Tom Bahti, Department of Natural Resources regional wildlife manager. "Hunting is our main tool for managing deer populations and without a significant antlerless harvest to reduce populations, we’ll certainly see larger herds next season. All kinds of scenarios crop up when populations get this high, more deer crossing roads, more deer-caused damage to crops and forests, and more deer wandering into urban areas."
"Our wildlife biologists have determined that white-tailed deer populations in these management units are significantly above population goals and that the traditional deer hunting season framework would not be expected to reduce populations to within 20 percent of the established goals" says Larry Konopacki, assistant deer and bear ecologists for the Department of Natural Resources.
Both Bahti and Konopacki stress that although there is public hunting land in the Zone – T units, most acres are in private ownership.
"I can’t say enough," says Bahti, "about how important it is that hunters work with landowners to get access to the deer on private lands. Early contact, respect for landowner rights and property, offers of help with annual chores, whatever it takes to gain access is necessary if we’re going to manage deer populations within our prescribed limits."
The free antlerless permits are valid for all deer seasons in the Zone-T units including the early and late archery, early firearm, gun deer, and muzzleloader seasons. Permits are available at all DNR service centers and all ALIS venders. Zone –T permits may also be requested by calling, toll free, 1-877-WI LICENSE.
According to Konopacki many more units throughout the farmland regions of the state are on a watch list for possible Zone – T hunts in 2000. Zone-T hunts were held in 1996 and 1997 and a similar hunt occurred last year in DMU 67A.
Special deer season regulations have been established in selected units:
The 1999 Zone-T season includes units 51A, 62B, 63A, 65B, 66, 67B and 80A, plus State Park unit 80C. Do not apply for Bonus Antlerless Permits in these units except in State Park unit 80C where hunter access is limited (see State Park below).
Free Antlerless Permits: Free "Special" Zone-T Antlerless Permits will be issued to interested hunters at a rate of three per deer related license, for a maximum of six per hunter (three for archery license, three for gun license). Permits are valid for all deer seasons (archery, early firearm, gun, muzzleloader) and are valid in any Zone-T unit, (access is limited to State Park unit 80C see "State Park" below). Permits will be available over the counter at all DNR license vendors.
Firearm deer hunting for antlerless deer only will be allowed in all Zone-T units from Oct. 28-31. This hunt will take place in Zone-T units only. Archery season will remain open, but is restricted to the harvest of antlerless deer during this four-day hunt. Either-sex archery hunting will continue in all other units throughout the state. All hunters, with the exception of waterfowl hunters, are required to follow blaze orange requirements when hunting during this season. Deer harvested with a firearm during this season must be registered by 5 p.m. on Nov. 1, 1999. Antlerless deer tagged with an archery back tag must be harvested with a bow, antlerless deer tagged with a gun back tag must be harvested with a firearm; free antlerless permits can be used with either weapon.
Extended Early Archery Deer Season: The early archery season will run through Thursday, Nov. 18 in Zone-T units only. Archers may harvest either sex deer during this period using an archery back tag, or antlerless deer using free antlerless deer permits.
State Park Unit 80C: Entry is by limited draw only. Those interested in hunting this park must have applied through the Hunter’s Choice/Bonus Antlerless Permit Application process. This unit is not open to archery hunting, but will be open to muzzleloader hunting during the Oct. 28-31 early antlerless only firearm season and Nov. 20-28; only muzzleloaders may be used in 80C. Special hours and area restrictions may apply within the park and this information will be mailed to successful applicants.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Konopacki - (608) 261-7589
Uploaded: 10/22/1999
Uploaded: 10/22/1999