Change to the archery antlerless tag

[Ron]

I just received an email from a friend who purchased his Conservation Patron license. He asked about the change to the free antlerless tag he received. He stated that it looked different and that it appears to be good in only certain units rather than statewide. I sent him the WBH press release and he now understands.

Until now, the free archery antlerless tag said "Valid, Any unit statewide"



If you buy an archery tag today, the antlerless tag that comes with it will say " Valid, For list of units, see deer management unit map in deer regulation book"



This will help these sensitive units to rebuild and address the concerns of gun hunters that are prohibited from harvesting an antlerless deer when Bowhunters were able too. See attached press release.

www.wisconsinbowhunters.org/PDF%20Documents/WBH%20press%20release%20antlerless.pdf

[Deleted]

I am very sad for my son, we purchased land up in these units several years ago. We have taken only one doe off the property. This was a 6 year old 200 #. We let a lot of deer go. We have seen some decline due to wolf and bear as we have game cameras and spend many weekends up in our trailer. we have already had limited antlerless permits for years. I feel this is not the problem but over predation by wolf and bear, but i doubt we will get anyplace with the truth. I guess its time to sell and I am sorry now we practiced self limits now they are imposed on us preventing us from any oportunities to havest. The local gun hunters shot any size buck they saw around us, but i guess they are sensitive and need protection and pampering

[Ron]

During a review of the most recent Administrative Record, I came across the rules change to address antlerless tags for bowhunters in below goal units the administrative code change is moving forward. See page 15 of the document at the link attached. It states

Natural Resources

Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—

Subject

Revises Chapter NR 10, Wis. Adm. Code, relating to game and hunting and the use of archery deer hunting licenses.

Objectives of the Rule

Currently, each license which authorizes archery deer hunting includes one carcass tag that is valid for taking an antlered buck in any management unit and one tag which is valid for one antlerless deer in any management unit. This proposal would limit the areas where the antlerless carcass tag is valid to only management units for which an antlerless deer harvest quota has been established.

Policy Analysis

The harvest of antlerless deer is managed by the department in order to achieve overwinter goals established in s. NR 10.104, Wis. Adm. Code. In management units where the deer population is below goal, the department may restrict antlerless deer harvest or establish an antlerless quota of zero. When the quota is zero only archers, first year hunter safety graduates, and disabled permit holders are allowed to harvest antlerless deer. Eliminating archery hunter’s ability to harvest antlerless deer in zero quota units would make regulations more consistent between the firearm and archery seasons and the reduced antlerless harvest will help to achieve overwinter goals by allowing additional population growth.

Statutory Authority

Sections 29.014 and 29.171, Stats.

Comparison with Federal Regulations

Federal regulations allow states to manage the wildlife resources located within their boundaries provided they do not conflict with regulations established in the Federal Register. None of these rule changes violate or conflict with the provisions established in the Federal Code of Regulations.

Entities Affected by the Rule

Deer hunters are primary people who will be impacted by and interested in this proposal.

Estimate of Time Needed to Develop the Rule

48 hours.

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What will happen next? The DNR will go to the NRB (Late April) and seek permission to hold public hearings on this change. If approved, expect hearings in late May - early June. If supported by the public, it will go back to the NRB which will green sheet this to the legislature. Due to the short time frame, I would expect an emergency rule enacting this change while the regular rules change is being ironed out because the deer hunting regulations need to get printed soon.

As you go to your spring CC hearings, be prepared for hunters (who are not aware of this change) to ask that Bowhunters be restricted in our antlerless harvest. You will be able to explain that this rules change is already taking place.

www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/register/reg651b.pdf