Statewide deer management meetings being held this week

(MERILL) The DNR is holding deer management information meetings around Wisconsin this week, drawing angry hunters concerned about a drop in the size of the herd.

Local meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m. tonight at the Superior Public Library, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Hayward High School Auditorium and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland.

A DNR deer management meeting in Merrill was packed with longtime hunters, many disappointed with the last gun deer season. Dave Wedler of Gleason says he saw four deer during the nine day hunt, and “never shot a shell.” Wedler says it’s the first time that he never shot a buck.

Tom Colstad of Irma and Byron Lange of Tomahawk voiced the common concern that too many wolves, bears and coyotes may be killing off the herd.

At times the frustration spilled out in the meeting, targeting federal protection for predators and perceived mismanagement by state authorities.

Wildlife biologist Rick Weide says the DNR is implementing new policies to restore both the size of the herd, and the trust of the hunting community. He says the agency would like to regain credibility that’s been lost. Weide says the DNR is interested in rebuilding the deer herd.

According to DNR research, the smaller deer herd can’t just be blamed on predators. There’s also hunting pressure, too many antlerless permits in past seasons, and a severe winter three years ago.

For more information on the meetings, look them up on the DNR web site, http://dnr.wi.gov/, under Events, Public Hearings & Meetings.

Tags: deer hunt, news, wisconsin, hunt, deer, gun