jayber
09-14-2003, 04:53 PM
By Brad Koele, assistant state deer and bear ecologist (608) 261-7589
The 2002 deer season was by all accounts the most unique and unusual in memory. Discovery of chronic wasting disease in three hunter-harvested deer from the Mt Horeb area west of Madison touched off a season that for Mt Horeb area hunters and landowners began in June and ended March 31 the following year. In the Towns and sections where wildlife biologists suspected more of the deadly disease was likely to be found, one week summer hunts were conducted, farmers were able to shoot from tractors, license requirements were waived, earn-a-buck was in effect and hunters were allowed unlimited tags for both sexes.
The huge effort yielded results. In a 411 square mile area designated as the disease eradication zone, the 2003 fall population is estimated to be 20 to 25 percent smaller than the previous year, and an additional 201 diseased deer were found. (See CWD Update article in this packet) The real heroes in this effort were the landowners and hunters who responded to the tough job of returning again and again to the woods over the many months.
In the Mt. Horeb area and elsewhere however, deer populations remain above state population goals. State wildlife biologists estimate the state’s deer herd is approximately 1.4 million animals, which continues to be above the pre-hunt population goal of 1.1 million. If the statewide population were at goal, Wisconsin hunters could expect an annual harvest of around 350,000 - 400,000 deer.
Zone T for 2003
Efforts to reduce the deer population closer to goal continue. Hunters will again be able to participate in Zone T herd reduction hunts, this year in 47 deer management units (DMUs), from Oct. 30- Nov. 2. Zone T is a special antlerless only hunt held in DMUs where biologists project that the traditional deer season framework would not reduce the deer population in the unit to within 20 percent of the unit’s over-winter population goal.
A second, late Zone T hunt is scheduled for Dec. 11-14 in units south of Highway 8. To minimize conflicts with other winter recreationists in the northern part of the state, Zone T DMUs north of Highway 8 will not participate in the December Zone T season again this year.
Second year for many units
Hunters should check the 2003 DMU map to see which units are designated for Zone T in 2003. Thirty-one of this year’s Zone T units have been designated as Zone T for a second or third consecutive year. If a sufficient level of herd reduction is not achieved in these units in 2003, they may be subject to earn-a-buck season regulations for the 2004 season. In addition to Zone T, many DMUs will have bonus antlerless permits available for hunters who wish to harvest additional antlerless deer. Bonus antlerless deer permits will be available for purchase ($12 resident, $20 non-resident) from any license agent beginning Sept. 8.
Special regulations for chronic wasting disease management area
Deer management units, including state park units, located in the chronic wasting disease Herd Reduction and Intensive Harvest Zones will again have special regulations for the 2003 season. These Zones include DMUs 54B CWD, 70 CWD, 70A CWD, 70B CWD, 70C, 70D, 70E CWD, 70F, 70G CWD, 71 CWD, 73B CWD, 73E CWD, 75A CWD, 75B, 75C CWD, 75D CWD, 76 CWD 76M CWD, and 77A CWD.
These units will have extended gun and archery seasons and an earn-a-buck season structure. The earn-a-buck structure requires a hunter to harvest an antlerless deer before they are legally eligible to harvest an antlered buck. In the CWD units hunters will again be eligible to harvest a buck for each antlerless deer they shoot. Hunters planning on hunting one of the CWD Zones should review the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations -- currently available on the DNR Web site, and printed copies available about Aug. 18 at license outlets -- for specific details on hunting dates, rules and zone boundaries.
Youth deer hunt
The second annual Youth Deer Hunt will be Nov. 1, 2003. This special one-day hunt is an attempt to get more youth interested in deer hunting. The hunt will be held in any non-Zone T or non-CWD deer management unit (except state park and other non-quota units).
Youth hunters age 12 through 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program an have a valid hunting license may participate in the hunt. Qualified hunters may harvest one antlerless deer per hunter’s choice or bonus permit in the unit that the permit was issued for. For more information on the youth hunt, check the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
State Park Hunting Opportunities
A limited drawing gave lucky hunters opportunity to hunt in State Park units 23A, 52A, 57D, 61A, 69C, 72A, 77D, and 80C. Hunters wishing to hunt in these park units had to apply for access through the 2003 Hunter’s Choice/Bonus Antlerless Permit Application by July 21. Special season dates, hours, and area restrictions may apply within the parks; this information is mailed to successful applicants.
Metro Units
Metro units 1M, 59M, 60M, 64M, and 77M are designated as Zone T units in 2003. These metro units also have special deer hunting season dates. Hunters should consult the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet for season dates in these units. Check local ordinances on firearm and bow use before hunting because many areas within the borders of the Metro Units do not allow firearm discharge and some may not allow the discharge of bow and arrow, or crossbow.
Mississippi River Block
Hunters do not need to apply for a Hunter’s Choice permit in Mississippi River Block (MRB) units. A regular gun deer carcass tag is automatically valid for one deer of either sex in MRB units. MRB units 59D and 61are designated as Zone T units for the 2003 deer hunting seasons. Hunters will be able to use free Zone T antlerless permits in these MRB Zone T units in 2003. Note: unit 59M is again designated as a metro unit and not a MRB unit.
Fall regulations pamphlet
The fall deer hunting regulations booklet with information on the Archery, Gun, Muzzleloader, and Zone T seasons and the special regulations for the Chronic Wasting Disease management areas is available on line on the DNR Web site. Hard copies of the regulations are expected to be available at DNR Service Centers about Aug. 18.
Season Dates
(Note: special season apply to Metro Deer Management Units and State Parks. Please refer to the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for specific details.)
Archery
Sept. 13 – Nov. 20 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 3
(Archery Harvest in all Zone T units is restricted to antlerless deer from Oct. 30 – Nov. 2. Archery harvest in Zone T units south of Hwy. 8 is also restricted to antlerless deer from Dec. 11 - 14. Zone T units north of Hwy. 8 will not participate in the December firearm hunt. Normal archery rules and regulations apply to these units.)
Gun
Early Zone T: Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 (antlerless only for archery and firearm)
Regular gun: Nov. 22 – Nov. 30
Late Zone T: Dec. 11 –14 (antlerless only for archery and firearm)
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – Dec. 10
Youth Hunt: Nov. 1
Disabled Hunt: Oct. 4 – Oct. 12
Chronic Wasting Disease Zones:
Intensive Harvest Zone:
Gun: Oct. 30 – Jan. 3
Archery: Sept. 13 – Jan. 3 (archers must wear blaze orange Oct. 30 – Jan. 3)
Herd Reduction Zone:
Gun: Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 and Nov. 22 – Jan. 3
Archery: Sept. 13 – Jan. 3 (archers must wear blaze orange Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 and Nov. 22 - Jan. 3)
The 2002 deer season was by all accounts the most unique and unusual in memory. Discovery of chronic wasting disease in three hunter-harvested deer from the Mt Horeb area west of Madison touched off a season that for Mt Horeb area hunters and landowners began in June and ended March 31 the following year. In the Towns and sections where wildlife biologists suspected more of the deadly disease was likely to be found, one week summer hunts were conducted, farmers were able to shoot from tractors, license requirements were waived, earn-a-buck was in effect and hunters were allowed unlimited tags for both sexes.
The huge effort yielded results. In a 411 square mile area designated as the disease eradication zone, the 2003 fall population is estimated to be 20 to 25 percent smaller than the previous year, and an additional 201 diseased deer were found. (See CWD Update article in this packet) The real heroes in this effort were the landowners and hunters who responded to the tough job of returning again and again to the woods over the many months.
In the Mt. Horeb area and elsewhere however, deer populations remain above state population goals. State wildlife biologists estimate the state’s deer herd is approximately 1.4 million animals, which continues to be above the pre-hunt population goal of 1.1 million. If the statewide population were at goal, Wisconsin hunters could expect an annual harvest of around 350,000 - 400,000 deer.
Zone T for 2003
Efforts to reduce the deer population closer to goal continue. Hunters will again be able to participate in Zone T herd reduction hunts, this year in 47 deer management units (DMUs), from Oct. 30- Nov. 2. Zone T is a special antlerless only hunt held in DMUs where biologists project that the traditional deer season framework would not reduce the deer population in the unit to within 20 percent of the unit’s over-winter population goal.
A second, late Zone T hunt is scheduled for Dec. 11-14 in units south of Highway 8. To minimize conflicts with other winter recreationists in the northern part of the state, Zone T DMUs north of Highway 8 will not participate in the December Zone T season again this year.
Second year for many units
Hunters should check the 2003 DMU map to see which units are designated for Zone T in 2003. Thirty-one of this year’s Zone T units have been designated as Zone T for a second or third consecutive year. If a sufficient level of herd reduction is not achieved in these units in 2003, they may be subject to earn-a-buck season regulations for the 2004 season. In addition to Zone T, many DMUs will have bonus antlerless permits available for hunters who wish to harvest additional antlerless deer. Bonus antlerless deer permits will be available for purchase ($12 resident, $20 non-resident) from any license agent beginning Sept. 8.
Special regulations for chronic wasting disease management area
Deer management units, including state park units, located in the chronic wasting disease Herd Reduction and Intensive Harvest Zones will again have special regulations for the 2003 season. These Zones include DMUs 54B CWD, 70 CWD, 70A CWD, 70B CWD, 70C, 70D, 70E CWD, 70F, 70G CWD, 71 CWD, 73B CWD, 73E CWD, 75A CWD, 75B, 75C CWD, 75D CWD, 76 CWD 76M CWD, and 77A CWD.
These units will have extended gun and archery seasons and an earn-a-buck season structure. The earn-a-buck structure requires a hunter to harvest an antlerless deer before they are legally eligible to harvest an antlered buck. In the CWD units hunters will again be eligible to harvest a buck for each antlerless deer they shoot. Hunters planning on hunting one of the CWD Zones should review the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations -- currently available on the DNR Web site, and printed copies available about Aug. 18 at license outlets -- for specific details on hunting dates, rules and zone boundaries.
Youth deer hunt
The second annual Youth Deer Hunt will be Nov. 1, 2003. This special one-day hunt is an attempt to get more youth interested in deer hunting. The hunt will be held in any non-Zone T or non-CWD deer management unit (except state park and other non-quota units).
Youth hunters age 12 through 15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program an have a valid hunting license may participate in the hunt. Qualified hunters may harvest one antlerless deer per hunter’s choice or bonus permit in the unit that the permit was issued for. For more information on the youth hunt, check the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet.
State Park Hunting Opportunities
A limited drawing gave lucky hunters opportunity to hunt in State Park units 23A, 52A, 57D, 61A, 69C, 72A, 77D, and 80C. Hunters wishing to hunt in these park units had to apply for access through the 2003 Hunter’s Choice/Bonus Antlerless Permit Application by July 21. Special season dates, hours, and area restrictions may apply within the parks; this information is mailed to successful applicants.
Metro Units
Metro units 1M, 59M, 60M, 64M, and 77M are designated as Zone T units in 2003. These metro units also have special deer hunting season dates. Hunters should consult the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet for season dates in these units. Check local ordinances on firearm and bow use before hunting because many areas within the borders of the Metro Units do not allow firearm discharge and some may not allow the discharge of bow and arrow, or crossbow.
Mississippi River Block
Hunters do not need to apply for a Hunter’s Choice permit in Mississippi River Block (MRB) units. A regular gun deer carcass tag is automatically valid for one deer of either sex in MRB units. MRB units 59D and 61are designated as Zone T units for the 2003 deer hunting seasons. Hunters will be able to use free Zone T antlerless permits in these MRB Zone T units in 2003. Note: unit 59M is again designated as a metro unit and not a MRB unit.
Fall regulations pamphlet
The fall deer hunting regulations booklet with information on the Archery, Gun, Muzzleloader, and Zone T seasons and the special regulations for the Chronic Wasting Disease management areas is available on line on the DNR Web site. Hard copies of the regulations are expected to be available at DNR Service Centers about Aug. 18.
Season Dates
(Note: special season apply to Metro Deer Management Units and State Parks. Please refer to the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for specific details.)
Archery
Sept. 13 – Nov. 20 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 3
(Archery Harvest in all Zone T units is restricted to antlerless deer from Oct. 30 – Nov. 2. Archery harvest in Zone T units south of Hwy. 8 is also restricted to antlerless deer from Dec. 11 - 14. Zone T units north of Hwy. 8 will not participate in the December firearm hunt. Normal archery rules and regulations apply to these units.)
Gun
Early Zone T: Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 (antlerless only for archery and firearm)
Regular gun: Nov. 22 – Nov. 30
Late Zone T: Dec. 11 –14 (antlerless only for archery and firearm)
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – Dec. 10
Youth Hunt: Nov. 1
Disabled Hunt: Oct. 4 – Oct. 12
Chronic Wasting Disease Zones:
Intensive Harvest Zone:
Gun: Oct. 30 – Jan. 3
Archery: Sept. 13 – Jan. 3 (archers must wear blaze orange Oct. 30 – Jan. 3)
Herd Reduction Zone:
Gun: Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 and Nov. 22 – Jan. 3
Archery: Sept. 13 – Jan. 3 (archers must wear blaze orange Oct. 30 – Nov. 2 and Nov. 22 - Jan. 3)