Glacial Drumlin Horse Trail Association

Much conflicting information has been circulated regarding the DNR's Earn-a-Buck Alternative proposal.

The 2 attachments should help clear up the misinformation and give you the information you need to help preserve Wisconsin's Deer Hunting Heritage. Your actions can help modify the DNR's proposal and help insure we do not end up with something worse than we had with Earn-a-Buck and T-Zone.

Many of you understand that population estimates and population goals are a big part of the deer hunting problems in Wisconsin...that is another fight for another day, but rest assured the groups named in the attachments are committed to resolve those issues next.

Today though, the fight is about our convoluted seasons. Consistency and simplicity is something hunters have longed for the last decade or more. The modifications recommended in the attachments by the groups along with the good stuff that made it in the DNR's proposal from the EAB Alternative Committee will get us back to some regularity that can and will work.

With declining deer populations across the state, some will have a knee jerk reaction that a longer deer gun season will decimate the deer herd. If antlerless tag are allocated and restricted as provided in the proposal along with the addition of our recommended modifications... a 3 day longer gun season when, you eliminate the 4-day Dec. antlerless hunt, will not be the problem (a week earlier though is a different story). What decimates the deer herd is being forced, or the threat of being forced, to kill a doe when we know we shouldn't or issuing close to a million herd control tags with no restriction of their use on our public lands.

Most, like myself, on the EAB Alternative Committee where sincere about finding the balance between simplicity, consistency, effectiveness and acceptance. Hundreds of hours were spent by many to find the balance that took into account all stakeholders... and the list is long: Landowners, farmers, loggers, Snowmobilers, hikers, duck hunters, bear hunters, turkey hunters, pheasant hunters, coon hunters, bobcat hunters, muzzleloaders, bowhunters, gun hunters and I apologies if I forgot some but the committee did not.

The proposed deer season with our recommended modifications creates the most for the least. With 1 less day of blaze orange hunting requirements and 1 less weekend in Oct., it minimizes conflict with other user groups, yet manages to provide 4 days of additional rifle hunting opportunity, 3 days of additional youth hunting, 2 days of additional muzzleloader hunting and up to 30 days more of archery hunting in herd control units than the current season structure. And, it still retains our sacred Traditional Deer Season Opener.

I know its hunting season and the last thing you want to be doing is attending a DNR meeting, but if you don't make your voice heard, deer hunting could be changed for the worse for years to come.

You did not get this email if you are not an avid deer hunter. Please, take the time to read the Talking Points Document.... think about it, and attend one of the public hearings listed on the document in your area. If you can not attend you can also record the three recommendations for modification on line. Also... please forward this to all your deer hunting friends and have them pass it along.

Good Hunting