Hunters should be optimistic with the upcoming 2019 deer hunting season. Most of the district experienced another mild winter. This is the fifth consecutive mild winter which has contributed to strong fawn production throughout northeast Wisconsin. Many DNR staff and the general public have reported seeing deer frequently this summer and a high number of fawns. This has been a wetter than normal spring which has delayed agricultural production by 12-20 days. The wet conditions are forcing farmers to leave fields fallow or plant them to cover crops instead of the traditional corn or soybeans. Hunters are encouraged to scout their hunting areas, as deer movements and availability could be impacted by the non-traditional cover crop or a possible later-than-normal harvest of corn and soybeans. During the 2017 County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) meeting, Marinette County modified the boundary split between the Forest Zone (Zone 1) and the Farmland Zone (Zone 2) In addition, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties created a new Metro Sub-unit. Hunters should check out boundary and season structures at dnr.wi.gov, keyword “DEER”, to verify they are hunting in the proper zone for the harvest authorizations they possess. Marinette and Oconto counties are each split into two Deer Management Units (DMUs) by the boundary of the Northern Photo: Linda Freshwaters Arndt Northeast District Forecast 37 Forest and Central Farmland Zones. The northern forest units registered “moderate” levels on the Winter Severity Index for the winter of 2018- 2019. CDACs in both counties slightly decreased their Forest Zone quota and antlerless deer harvest authorizations in recognition of a harder winter this year. The deer population in both counties’ forest zones is still increasing and an antlerless harvest is warranted. Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations for the northern forest portions of the counties are likely to sell out quickly. The CDACs in both counties are looking to increase the antlerless deer harvest in the Central Farmland portions of their counties. Marinette will be issuing three Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations with each license and Oconto will be issuing three Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations. These harvest authorizations can only be used in the Central Farmland Zone portion of the county. Both counties are providing additional hunting opportunities in the Central Farmland Zone with a Holiday Hunt and Oconto is extending the archery and crossbow seasons in their Central Farmland Zone. Many of the CDACs in the Central Farmland counties within the Northeast District are concerned about achieving an adequate harvest of antlerless deer. Their current harvest objective is to either maintain or decrease the size of the herd in these counties. As the deer herd continues to grow above desired levels, these counties are offering multiple antlerless harvest authorizations with each license, an antlerlessonly firearm Holiday Hunt and extended archery and crossbow seasons through January. CDACs in the Farmland Zone are utilizing all the available tools to control deer populations. Many of these councils have discussed the need for additional options, besides the socially unacceptable antlerless-only season. “If you are hunting in a county that is offering two to six additional antlerless deer harvest authorizations with each license, the message is: shoot more antlerless deer” suggests Jeff Pritzl, Wildlife Supervisor for the Northeast District. Shawano County is issuing six Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations per license, double the number issued in 2018. “Extreme deer browsing to hardwoods is Katilyn shows off her 2018 buck. Photo: Lisa Robinson 38 causing forest regeneration issues that will reduce quality habitat and is affecting the overall condition of the deer” notes Kay Brockman-Mederas, wildlife biologist for Shawano County. Door County is offering five Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations per license again this year. Kewaunee and Marquette increased their offering to four per license, up one harvest authorization compared to 2018 as a way to emphasize the overpopulation of deer in these counties. Marinette Farmland Zone increased their antlerless deer harvest authorizations to three per license compared to two last year and Oconto Farmland, Waupaca and Green Lake counties will continue to issue three antlerless authorizations per license. Outagamie, Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Waushara will provide two antlerless harvest authorizations per license. These CDACs want to give hunters with access to higher deer densities the ability to harvest additional deer. Each of these counties also will offer bonus antlerless authorizations for sale to those hunters wishing to harvest even more deer than the above levels provide. Additionally, many CDACs wanted to provide their hunters with more hunting opportunities. Outagamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Sheboygan, Green Lake, Marquette and the Farmland zones in Oconto and Marinette are offering the antlerlessonly firearm Holiday Hunt. Outagamie, Sheboygan, Kewaunee, Brown and Oconto Farmland Zone have also extending the archery and crossbow seasons through January 31 to provide more hunting opportunity. However, it is important for hunters to keep in mind that there is great variation in the habitat type as well as the quality of the habitat across the landscape and as a result, the number of deer between individual properties can vary significantly. The group of counties around Lake Winnebago tends to have abundant deer numbers, but the habitat is patchy and fragmented, and hunting pressure is relatively high for the available cover. As a result, overall deer numbers across the area aren’t as robust, so hunters in Calumet, Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties are limited to one Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorization included with each license. However, there should be adequate numbers of bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations available for sale. The first free-ranging deer testing positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the Northeast District was detected in eastern Marquette County in 2018. CWD has also been detected just over the border from Marinette County in the U.P. of Michigan. Additionally, it has been detected in several captive cervid farms within and adjacent to the district. CWD sampling goals are established for all affected areas at a level that should detect the presence of the disease. Hunters are encouraged to submit their adult deer head for disease sampling. Monitoring the health of our deer is an important CWD management strategy. The DNR will be collecting deer heads for CWD testing around the focus area in Marinette and the two focus areas in Shawano County and the adjacent portion of Oconto County. Check the DNR CWD Sampling website for sample locations, phone numbers and hours of availability at dnr.wi.gov, keyword “CWD”. The DNR offices near you are also equipped 39 to receive samples. Please call ahead if you need assistance or have questions. Good luck this hunting season, and we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable fall.
