Your new deer czar has been appointed.. how do you feel about a Texan being in charge..?? http://www.bowhunting.com/publisher...sin-Appoints-NEW-Deer-Trustee--Dr-James-Kroll
Most of my hunting is done in WI and I'm all for this. I can only speak for the northern part of the state, but I don't think that the WDNR could do any worse than what I've seen in the last few years. It'll be interesting to see what changes.
I hated the EAB thing especially for bowhunting. I hope some things start changing there. Wisconsins wildlife managment is extremly poor IMO, at least in comparison to other states I've paid attention to.
I will hold judgement for now but I do wish it would of been someone from within the state who knows all about our issues.
While that may seem like a good idea on the surface, sometimes it helps to bring in an outsider who can look at things more objectively. I think bringing in Dr. Kroll is a good idea. The man has a plethora of experience managing deer herds and has a much better understanding of biology and how hunting impacts said herds than just about anyone else out there. Hopefully he can put some of that experience to work and help Wisconsin out. Although with that said, I think that you Wisconsin boys will find a way to find fault with his decisions no matter what they are. That's just what hunters seem to do. Complain, complain, complain....
i went from my first season gun hunting, where i would see 40-50 deer opening weekend, to now seeing 5 last year and no bucks! this used to be unheard of for us 5 years ago. the way i see it, any help we can get is a good thing. just hope it works!
Seeing 40-50 deer is not necessarily a good thing. Overpopulation is a breeding ground for disease. Northern MI had something similar. Overpopulation and intense baiting eventually took its toll. TB showed up in deer, baiting was outlawed, and antlerless tags were increased. The lack of bait combined with high deer numbers caused natural browse to be destroyed quickly. Properties/areas that once held deer, were void of them. The deer numbers were so high that mediocore land was holding deer. The population went from extreme to another. Soon, the deer were mostly occupying the best areas. The average hunter saw less deer, and hunters complained the DNR ruined the hunting. The area is slowly rebounding, but it will never have the high numbers of deer it used to, which is a good thing. Seeing lots of deer does not always equal good deer hunting or a healthy herd, in the eyes of a biologist.
Matt, I typically roll my eyes and laugh at your comments, but your last post was dead-nutz on! I am fortunate enough to have lived in both WI and IL and still hunt both states. It is amazing the complaining that seems to increase as you go North. 15 years ago it would be a great gun season to see 4-6 deer hunting the Nicolet National Forest where my (former) deer camp hunts. I left the group in '08 to hunt with my father on land in the CWD zone. Last year each member of that group saw more than 5 deer over the opening gun weekend and still complained. Of course they were all does which they could not take, but the numbers are there....you just need to get out there and move around. Heck, they saw more than me. I only saw 1 deer opening gun weekend thru Monday in an area that is supposed to be the most populated deer area in the state, yet a buddy in my group shot 2 bucks and a doe opening day within 100 yards of me!! Anyways, I think this could be a great hire for the WI DNR. It will take time as deer management can not be adjusted within one season. I wish him the best in his new position!
