possible new population Goal

[Ron]

Last week, I got the SAK numbers in preparation for Tuesdays DMU goal meeting. There is quite a bit of disparity across the state. From a low of 59% below goal (unit 39) to a high of 540% over goal (unit 81). There are 46 units that are more that 51% over goal. (see map)

Last week we were sent the new and improved goals package as a result of the first goals package being rejected by the legislature in Dec. . Many hunters will not be happy with the new goal. If you recall, the existing goal is 734,938 and the goal increase that was rejected in Dec. would have been 745,636. Any guesses as to what the new and improved goal is?

FYI, the Dept. calculated that last winter, there were 1,005,006 deer on the landscape in the overwinter period. Those deer went on to reproduce and raised the population to the number of deer you saw (or didn't see) during last year's deer season so we know what one million deer in the over winter period means to hunting. That's your hint. The new goal is between 1 million and 745,636.

We will be discussing this new number on Tuesday in Stevens Point as we reconvene the DMU goal board.

Another FYI. Any goal less that one million is telling us that the hunt we enjoyed last year due to their being too many deer on the landscape. This new goal would then seek to further reduce the population beyond what we saw last year.

[Ron]

So the folks in the units that are at goal or far below won't feel left out, here is a map for you. Those units that are far below goal will most likely not allow for any antlerless harvest in 2010. Last year, there were 13 such units. This year there are more.

DMU.......................... Below goal

3...............................-3%

4..............................-17%

7................................56%

28...............................-1%

29B.............................-43%

30...............................-2%

31..............................-14%

32..............................-27%

33..............................-20%

34...............................-7%

35...............................-28%

36..............................-18%

37...............................-1%

38...............................-34%

39...............................-59%

40...............................-32%

41..............................-19%

42...............................-15%

43...............................-23%

44...............................-33%

45...............................-39%

49A..............................-44%

49B..............................-2%

50...............................-32%

52...............................-8%

56...............................-13%

57A..............................-10%

57C..............................-10%

65A..............................-13%

[Ron]

And so as not to leave out the "Tweeners" that hunt units that are between 11% over goal to 50% over goal. There are 33 such units. See the map attached.