Glacial Drumlin Horse Trail Association

The Earn-a-Buck Alternative Committee unanimously concluded early in its deliberations that the best alternative to Earn-a-Buck was to develop a consistent, simple statewide regular deer season structure that would offer more opportunity to maintain populations at goal while achieving support from hunters, landowners and other stakeholders.

A 16-day gun season has long been sought by the DNR but rejected by hunters. It was believed by the committee that as a viable ALTERNATIVE to Earn-a-Buck and current Herd Control measures, a 16-day season would be accepted by hunters. Concerns of over-harvest would be safeguarded against by the variable-quota system (For example this year there are no antlerless tags in 13 deer units) and the implementation of the proposed public land antlerless tag quota for Herd Control Units. This provision in the rule puts a limit on public land tags in Herd Control Units to protect public lands from over-harvest while still providing unlimited tags for private land where the harvest is needed.

The majority of sporting groups on the committee however, opposed a one week earlier opener to the Gun Deer Season, knowing a change from the traditional opener would be objectionable to hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin's deer hunters.

The committee unanimously agreed that combining all Oct. firearms hunts (Youth, Herd Control and Muzzleloader) starting on the second Sat. in Oct. for 5 days would minimize user conflicts while providing additional hunting opportunity. The addition of a low impact Oct. antlerless-only muzzleloader hunt by permit would compensate for the loss of days as a result of extending the gun season to16-days.

Although the majority of sporting groups represented on the EAB Alternative Committee support most of the DNR Earn-a-Buck Alternative Rule Package, we strongly recommend attending the rule hearings and ask for the following modifications to the DNR proposal:

1. Retain the Traditional Opening date for the start of the 16-day Gun Deer Season followed by a 7-day late either-sex muzzleloader hunt and eliminate the ineffective Dec. antlerless-only hunt.
A. An earlier gun opener has failed every public vote. It once again failed to get support in every demographic in our committee survey.
B. Historical data reveals the early opener is less effective. Comparative data between the earliest and latest gun season openers in Wisconsin illustrated a decline in antlerless harvest in years with the earliest opener.
C. The Traditional opener allows hunters to use 3 days of vacation to hunt 9. This is why in Wisconsin the Gun Deer Season is an event and not just a weekend of hunting. An early opener might very well kill the tradition that has made deer hunting the family event it is.
D. Biological concerns of a gun season during the rut. Many does will not be bred during the natural breeding time when as many as 60% or more of the available bucks will be killed. The results will be late-born fawns and a less healthy deer herd. E. The earlier opener will almost guarantee a lack of snow. This makes identification and recovery more difficult.
F. Union contracts, business shutdowns, vacation schedules and seniority have revolved around our traditional opener for half a century. Changing the opener will mean more vacation time is required to achieve the same level of participation.
G. Proposal provides more firearm hunting opportunity than the all time record harvest season. In 2000, with fewer firearm hunting days and no Earn-a-Buck, over 100,000 more deer were harvested than the last 3 seasons with Earn-a-Buck. This demonstrates, if the deer are there and adequate tags are allocated, this much cleaner, simpler and less controversial season proposal provides the firearm opportunity necessary to be as effective as Earn-a-Buck.
H. Elimination of the Dec. 4-day antlerless hunt insures firearm hunting runs no later than the current season structure. This minimizes conflict with Snowmobilers and other recreational users.

2. Eliminate the proposed Holiday Hunt.
A. This hunt had little public support in the committee survey. It was not supported in the final recommendations of the committee.
B. Will cause incidental harvest of bucks that have dropped horns.
C. Creates opposition from Snowmobilers and other winter recreational stakeholders. They do not support any firearm hunt that runs later than our current 4-day antlerless hunt and this could jeopardize passage of the entire rule as was noted by statements from the Legislature.
D. No data to support the Holiday hunt would be effective for herd control.

3. Provide the DNR the ability to issue free Herd Control Tags for two years before Herd Control Hunts are implemented.
A. Allows DNR to begin herd control measures earlier. This will insure hunters have ample opportunity to bring populations to goal before controversial seasons are applied.
B. Gives hunters the tools to keep populations at goal in the regular season framework. Something hunters have been requesting for years.

Members of the Earn-a-Buck Alternative Committee that opposed the Earlier Opener of the Deer Gun Season were: Quality Deer Management, WI Bowhunters Assoc., WI Hunters Rights Coalition, and WI Wildlife Federation.

Since the Board approved the DNR rule proposal for public hearing, "Supporters of the Traditional Opener" have broadened their support for the modifications above to also include: WI Muzzleloaders Association, WI State Chapter of the NWTF, WI Bear Hunters Assoc. National Rifle Assoc., SCI Chapters of WI, The Assoc. of WI Snowmobile Clubs, WI Hunters United, Northeastern WI Concerned Deer Hunters, Hunters Alliance for Regulatory Communication.

There are public hearings going on now all around the state. All the public hearings begin at 6:30 PM, with public comment starting at 7 PM. Make plans now to attend. Bring all your deer hunting friends. Not attending and asking for modifications to the rule could change the deer hunting tradition in Wisconsin for years to come. If you chose not to speak or can't remain for the whole discussion, you should register on the hearing form and turn it in with the three recommendations for modification:

1. Retain the Traditional Opening date for the start of the 16-day Gun Deer Season followed by a 7-day late either-sex muzzleloader hunt and eliminate the ineffective Dec. antlerless-only hunt.
2. Eliminate the proposed Holiday Hunt.
3. Provide the DNR the ability to issue free Herd Control Tags for two years before Herd Control Hunts are implemented.

Those who are unable to attend a hearing in person can comment online. Official comments will not be considered until the dates in which the hearings will be held: October 14 through November 3, 2009. A link will be available beginning October 14 on the DNR's "Deer Hunting in Wisconsin" web page, in the "Current Focus" box, which will be linked to an online comment form located at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/index.htm
After clicking the link, look to the upper right corner of the screen to open the comment form.