Section 17 establishes additional season framework options which the department could implement upon the recommendation of the county deer management advisory council in a unit. The options include an antlerless deer only season framework for all archery, crossbow, or firearm seasons. These sections establish that a season commonly referred to as the December, antlerless-only holiday firearm season could be recommended to the department and would begin on December 24 and continue through January 1. The holiday hunt option is available only in units that are in a farmland zone.
Section 19 restores the protected status of white deer in a CWD-affected area so that they will again be protected statewide.
Sections 20 and 21 update provisions related to hunting hours to include references to crossbows and maintain cross-references related to hunting hours for species that have no hunting hour restrictions except at times when a firearm deer season is open.
Sections 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 35 to 46 and to add the word “crossbow” to provisions where appropriate because firearms, bows, or handguns are currently listed. These sections also add a description or cross-reference to a crossbow license or season as appropriate in locations where archer or firearm licenses or seasons are already listed or cross-referenced.
Section 23 repeals a cross-reference related to blaze orange requirements during deer seasons in CWD zones which is not necessary because blaze orange requirements are already established in statute.
Section 25 and 59 repeal a historic prohibition of the possession of firearms in the field on the day before the traditional 9-day firearm deer season.
Section 30 revises population goals so that they will be expressed as management objectives to increase, maintain, or decrease the deer population density in a management unit. Deer management units will generally be the same as counties with exceptions for metropolitan subunits and areas within the exterior boundaries of the Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Menominee, and Red Cliff reservations. This section establishes county deer management councils which will be advisory to the department. This section also establishes antlerless permits and their allowable uses and methods of distribution. This section establishes a $12.00 fee for bonus permits which are issued for a CWD-affected area and a $6.00 fee for bonus permits issued under the deer management assistance program. In units where the department has not established a quota allowing the harvest of antlerless deer, the department may establish by an order of the secretary that antlerless tags issued to junior deer hunting license buyers are not valid. Finally, this section eliminates additional buck harvest opportunities commonly referred to as “earn-a-buck” and “bonus buck”.
Section 31 modifies the tagging procedures so that a deer possessed in the field must be accompanied by the person who tagged it, even if the deer has already been registered. Deer which have been registered may be possessed and transported on roadways or possessed at a home or established businesses (taxidermist, butcher shop, etc.) by someone other than the person who tagged it, consistent with current rules. This section also updates language to reflect elimination of “earn-a-buck” and “bonus buck” regulations.
Sections 32 and 33 establish that a harvest registration confirmation number must be legibly printed on the carcass tag to show proof that a deer has been registered with the department under an electronic or telephone registration system. This section also maintains the current prohibition of processing a deer while in the field, except that it may be divided into as many as 5 parts to help with removing it from the field.
Section 34 modifies deer registration procedures to allow telephone or electronic recording of harvest. The ability to require in-person registration in areas is retained if the department determines that is necessary for research, collecting tissue samples, or during transition periods. Deer and bear harvest must be registered with the department by 5:00 p.m. of the day after the deer or bear is taken into possession. Registration requirements will be the same statewide for both firearm and bow-and-arrow harvested deer. This section also clarifies that an antlerless deer may not be possessed in the field outside of the unit of harvest except on a public highway or at a dwelling or established business such as a butcher shop or taxidermist’s place of business, and then only after first being registered. This is similar to current restrictions which prohibit transportation of a deer outside the unit of harvest prior to registration but is amended so the rule remains effective to enforce restrictions on illegal use of tags when electronic harvest registration is allowed.
Section 47 establishes deer management units which will generally be based on counties and establishes metropolitan deer management subunits and identifies tribal units. This section preserves the current metropolitan deer management units as subunits within county units.
Section 48 repeals the CWD management zone map which is no longer needed. CWD-affected areas under this rule proposal are comparable. CWD-affected areas can be modified by the department based upon where CWD is identified without administrative rule changes.
Section 49 repeals the existing deer management regions map and replaces it with a comparable but simplified zone map that is more aligned along county boundaries. This map also identifies where certain antlerless tags can be used and to describe deer season frameworks.
Section 50 renames the deer management unit map that was in effect in 2013 because those boundaries continue to be used for other purposes such as the basis for the fisher management zone map. The map is now called “Game management zones”.
Section 51 establishes that buck tags may only be used to tag bucks and southern farmland zone antlerless deer tags, which are available to all firearm and archery license buyers, may be used statewide by participants in firearm deer hunts for hunters with disabilities. In the past, buck tags could be used for deer of either sex during these hunts. This provision is intended to reduce confusion about how tags can be used by disabled permit holders during the variety of deer seasons. This section also modifies the note for consistency with new rules allowing the use of rifles statewide during firearm deer seasons.
Section 53 establishes the deer management assistance program to assist with specialized management of deer in localized areas and for specific purposes. This section establishes fees and other conditions for participation in the program.
Sections 54 to 55 establish crossbow hunting seasons which are consistent with archery deer hunting seasons at a number of waterfowl hunting closed areas where some archery deer hunting is currently allowed.
Section 56 establishes that crossbow deer hunting is not allowed at times when archery deer hunting is not allowed under current rules at the Buckhorn wildlife area.
Section 58 updates cross-references and modifies language to reflect that earn-a-buck regulations have been repealed.
Section 60 and 61 update a cross-reference related to establishing the harvest quota for tribal members in the ceded territories.
Sections 62 to 65 add “crossbow” to provisions which already restrict possession of bows and firearms at 37 game refuges and notes that possession of loaded, uncased handguns is allowed by people who are licensed to possess a concealed handgun.
Sections 67 and 69 to 71 update language to include crossbows in various provisions where it is currently only required that bows and arrows be unstrung or enclosed in a carrying case on certain department managed lands.
Section 68 repeals the requirement to obtain a special permit before hunting deer in a state park in the CWD management zone.
Federal Regulatory Analysis: These state rules and statutes do not relieve individuals from the restrictions, requirements and conditions of federal statutes and regulations. Regulating the hunting and trapping of native species falls within the purview of state fish and wildlife agencies.
Comparison with rules in Adjacent States: All of Wisconsin’s surrounding states use hunting seasons to provide hunting opportunities and to manage white-tailed deer herds. All of the surrounding states utilize a range of hunting seasons and allow the use of archery equipment, firearms and muzzleloading firearms at certain times. The seasons proposed in this rule order do not vary significantly from the hunting opportunities that are available in other states.
Illinois
The Illinois archery season runs from October 1, 2013 - January 19, 2014 except that it is closed during the firearm deer season in those portions of the state that hold a firearm deer season. Illinois has two periods for firearm deer hunting, a muzzleloader season, and special CWD and antlerless-only seasons. The first firearm season in 2013 is November 22 - 24 and the second season is December 5 - 8. The muzzleloader season is Dec. 13 - 15. The special CWD and antlerless-only seasons occur on December 26 - 29 and January 17 - 19, 2014. A youth firearm deer hunt is open on October 12 - 14. All firearm hunting permits are distributed first through a tiered drawing system where residents have a higher chance of being selected for a permit than non-residents, then through a random daily drawing, and finally they are offered over-the-counter on a first-come first-served basis until the unit’s quota is reached. Hunters who are eligible to purchase a hunting permit receive an either-sex permit and one bonus antlerless-only permit. There is no limit on the number of resident archery licenses that will be issued, and each resident archery license includes an antlerless-only and an either sex permit. Non-resident archery licenses also include an either sex permit and an antlerless-only permit, but are allocated through a lottery system.
Iowa
In Iowa, there are two archery seasons, two muzzleloader seasons, and two shotgun seasons. There is also an antlerless-only season, a youth hunt for residents, and a holiday season for nonresidents. The archery season runs from October 1 – December 6 and December 23 – January 10, 2014. The muzzleloader seasons run from October 12 – 20 (residents only) and December 23 – January 10, 2014. The shotgun seasons run from December 7 – 11 and December 14 – 22. The antlerless-only season runs from January 11 – 19, 2014, the youth hunt runs from September 21 – October 6, and the holiday season runs from December 24 – January 2, 2014. When a hunter purchases an ‘Any Deer License’, they are entitled to harvest either a buck or an antlerless deer statewide. Hunters also have the option to purchase an ‘Antlerless-only License’ which is valid for a specific zone in the state. The number of antlerless licenses available in any particular zone is determined by a quota system, and hunters are able to purchase these licenses on a first-come first-served basis until the quota is reached.
Michigan
Michigan has one firearm season, two archery seasons, and one muzzleloader season, as well as two antlerless-only seasons and a youth hunt. The firearm season run November 15 – 30. The archery seasons runs October 1 – November 14 and December 1 – January 1, 2014. Michigan’s muzzleloader-only season is split into three zones with each zone’s season occurring in December and lasting for either 10 or 17 days. The antlerless-only seasons run from September 21-22 and December 23 – January 1, 2014 and the youth hunt occurs on Sept 21-22. Hunters interested in harvesting an antlerless deer must purchase an antlerless license that is valid within a specific DMU for use on either public access lands or private land. In some DMUs, these licenses may only be purchased over the counter, whereas in others there is an application process and drawing.
Minnesota
Minnesota has one archery season, one firearm season that is divided into four separate zones, and one muzzleloader season. There is also a special archery season on Camp Ripley (a military base) and a youth season. The archery season runs from September 14 – December 31. The firearm season runs November 9 – 17, November 9 – 24, or November 23 – December 1 depending on the zone. The muzzleloader season runs November 30 – December 15. The special archery hunt on Camp Ripley occurs on October 26 – 27 and November 2-3. The youth hunt runs from October 17 – 20. Antlerless permits are distributed through a license lottery in “lottery” areas of the state. In “Hunter Choice”, “Managed”, or “Intensive” areas licenses are either-sex. Bonus permits for antlerless deer are available over the counter for use in managed and intensive areas.
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies: Implementation of the deer trustee’s report will result in establishing a number of new policies for deer management and hunting management compared to current rules. The primary policy alternatives evaluated in development of these rules are ones recommended in the report. Throughout this rulemaking process, the department and its partners did evaluate other policy alternatives as they were identified.
The full report is located on the department’s website at:
Revisions to Ch. NR 1 are minor and consist of an update to Natural Resources Board policy so that the term “population objective” and “goal” are used consistently throughout the board order and for concise wording. This rule order favors the term “objective” to describe the deer population level that management activities are designed to achieve. The terms “objective” and “goal” are very similar and “objective” is favored in this rulemaking because it was a recommendation of the trustee’s report. Chapter NR 10 establishes most of the deer population management policy, practices and hunting regulations that are in place today. Currently, Ch. NR 10 establishes the Sex-Age-Kill model for estimating deer populations, deer population goals, and deer management units. These rules establish a process by which the department can elect to use alternative methods of estimating deer populations. These rules will replace the current population goals by eliminating numeric goals and replacing them with a simplified statement of objectives to “increase, stabilize, or decrease the deer population.” These rules establish a set of metrics to monitor progress towards the objective. These rules significantly reduce the number of deer management units and establish that they are generally the same as the county boundaries with exceptions for metropolitan subunits and tribal lands. These rules do not change the department’s current requirement to evaluate deer management unit boundaries and population goals or objectives on a recurring three year basis. Under these rules the department will be able to modify antlerless harvest quotas and permit levels on an annual basis. These rules establish that the department will seek input from groups or representatives for certain deer related interests in establishing quotas by creating county deer management advisory councils. Through these councils, the department will seek comment from members of the public on the status of the deer herd. The councils will usually be chaired by the chairperson for the county delegation of the Conservation Congress. Other members of the council can also include a representative of Wisconsin’s Chippewa bands if in ceded territories and a representative for; agriculture, forestry, tourism, transportation, a local organization representing hunting interests, and local government. Membership on a county deer management advisory council may also include a participant in the deer management assistance program. The department will establish guidance for the operation of county deer management advisory councils and background checks of volunteer council members may be conducted.
The county deer management advisory councils will have the ability to recommend a number of deer hunting season framework modifications which may be implemented by the department by an order of the secretary. Modifications could be made in individual units and could be in place for as little as one season. The options include an antlerless deer only season framework for all archery, crossbow, or firearm seasons. A season commonly referred to as the December, antlerless-only holiday firearm season could be recommended to the department and would begin on December 24 and continue through January 1. The holiday hunt option is available only in units that are in a farmland zone. Additionally, councils could make recommendations on the number of farmland zone antlerless deer permits which are included with the purchase of a license.
Under this proposal, hunters in most of the state will continue to receive an antlerless deer tag with the purchase of a firearm or archery license. This tag will be comparable to the current “herd control unit” tag which is issued in units that are 20% or more over the established population goal. In 2015 these antlerless tags are not weapon-specific but, beginning in 2016, these tags could only be used under the authority of the license they are issued with and would not be transferable among seasons. Under the proposal, these tags will be valid in many but potentially not all farmland units. Beginning in 2016, the antlerless tag issued with an archery license would be valid statewide except in units without a quota allowing the harvest of antlerless deer. There is flexibility to establish that antlerless tags issued automatically with deer hunting licenses are not valid in farmland units that have a population objective to increase or stabilize the deer population. The department would establish this after natural resources board approval of a secretary’s order, and following evaluation and a recommendation from county deer management advisory councils and the department. The department currently issues additional herd control tags for the cost of a $2.00 issuance fee but those tags will be discontinued by this rule. Under this proposal, the standard fee of $12.00, also the current fee for a bonus permit, will apply for most antlerless permits which are in addition to the one that was issued with hunting licenses. These rules also establish a $12.00 fee for additional antlerless tags which allow harvest of deer in the CWD-affected area. Under statute, $5.00 of the fee for bonus permits issued for use in a CWD-affected area will be credited to an account for management and testing of chronic wasting disease. Through the deer management assistance program, these rules allow establishing separate fees and unique antlerless deer permits that are specific for use on properties enrolled in the deer management assistance program and those are explained where that program is described. In units where the department has not established a quota allowing the harvest of antlerless deer, the department may establish by an order of the secretary that antlerless tags issued to junior deer hunting license buyers are not valid.
An important change in the allowable use of most antlerless deer permits is that, under this proposal, they will be valid for harvesting antlerless deer only on private land or only on lands open to public access for hunting. Historically, bonus permits had been valid for hunting on any type of land in the correct management unit. This rule change is intended to address hunter concerns about harvest and hunting pressure on publicly accessible lands. This regulation may reduce the level of antlerless deer harvest on lands open to public hunting. Under the proposal, public access lands are defined as land owned, under easement to, or lease by federal, state or county government if that land is open to public access for hunting and includes private lands enrolled in the managed forest or forest crop program, or which is otherwise open to hunting by members of the general public.
A variety of related hunting regulations changes are proposed in these rules. Some of them are simplifications to current rules. Changes include the names for permits and the allowable use of various deer permits. Deer carcass tags, tagging, and transportation requirements are modified where possible in order to simplify regulations or where needed in anticipation of a new automated licensing system. The current requirement to register deer is replaced in these rules with a more customer-friendly harvest reporting procedure using telephone or internet. Black bear are another species for which in-person registration of harvested animals is required. These rules will modify bear harvest recording requirements because deer and bear registration occur at the same locations and through the same process under current rules. These rules will eliminate deadlines to register deer and bear that currently vary by season, harvest method, and location. Instead, a simple statewide requirement to register deer and bear harvest by 5:00 p.m. of the day after harvest is established. The department can make exceptions where in-person registration may still be required for sampling purposes. This allows fewer hours to register an animal than under current law but electronic registration will be significantly more convenient. Faster registration of deer will provide the department, and others who may be interested, with very timely harvest information. The shorter deadline may also help with enforcing bag limit, tagging, transportation, and possession restrictions. The option to require in-person registration of deer carcasses is preserved in areas that are part of a CWD-affected area or where necessary for deer population and herd health monitoring purposes. The department could take advantage of this authority in order to collect tissue specimens for sampling for a wide variety of diseases or biometrics associated with deer populations. Finally, in order to assure hunter accountability and compliance with group bagging restrictions, these rules establish that a deer carcass possessed in the field must be accompanied by the person who tagged it. These rules maintain the restriction that deer and bear can only be “quartered” while in the field, even if they have already been registered. Both of these regulations essentially maintain current requirements because in-the-field registration of harvested deer was not possible previously. Now that deer could be registered while in the field by using a cellular phone or other electronic means, these rules will continue to require that the person who tagged the carcass accompany it during dragging or other field transport or possession by others. Deer that have been registered could be possessed and transported by other people on public highways or possessed at a residence or business, such as a taxidermist or butcher shop. These requirements will also assure sex or size of deer or bear are identifiable in the field.
Season date modifications may have the impact of opening a small number of refuges, which are established in NR 11 and 15, to additional deer hunting during the late firearm season that begins on December 24. These refuges are located primarily on department managed lands and most of them were established to provide undisturbed resting areas for migrating waterfowl. This deer hunt will occur very late in fall migration and will normally be after all waterfowl seasons are closed.
The department is recommending deer hunting season date modifications as a result of this rulemaking. The report generally recommended, “keeping seasons and bag limits consistent for longer periods of time to allow better assessment of management progress”. The season date modifications in the proposal may lead to more long term stability of seasons. These rules will maintain the current season for hunting deer by archery methods. This proposal maintains the traditional Wisconsin firearm deer season opener on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and 9 day structure. The current 10 day muzzleloader season is maintained under this proposal. These rules retain a statewide four day antlerless-only firearm season beginning on the second Thursday following the Thanksgiving Day holiday. This antlerless-only season is the same as the one held statewide from 2006 through 2013 but which was suspended in 2014 only. This proposal modifies the “holiday hunt” which has been held in the CWD management zone so that it is no longer a standard part of the deer hunting season framework and, in counties where it is held, it would end on January 1 instead of the Sunday nearest January 6. The holiday hunt could be expanded geographically to include entire counties where previously the hunt was held only in a portion of the county. This holiday deer hunt occurs under current rules in the CWD management zone. It has been a low-pressure event but, for some, a greatly appreciated opportunity for additional deer hunting at a time when families are together and around which some new deer hunting traditions are developing. The late firearm season, or holiday hunt, is similar to seasons offered in other adjacent states and will occur during a time of the year when more residents are traditionally taking vacation or home for the holidays as in the case of veterans. Finally, only in areas that are part of the CWD season under current rules, archery deer hunting has been allowed on the day before the traditional 9-day firearm season opens. Under this proposal, the archery deer season will be open statewide on the day before the traditional 9-day firearm season for statewide consistency.
In metropolitan deer management subunits a 19-day firearm deer hunting season has been in place and is maintained by this rule proposal.
