For the City-Times

The final County Deer Advisory Council meeting of 2014 will be held in each county in December, and will provide the public with an important opportunity to provide input regarding each county’s deer population objectives before recommendations are advanced to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

These objectives will guide deer management decisions for the next three years – the public is encouraged to attend and participate in a local council meeting.

December meetings will be open to the public for any additional comments as the councils finalize their recommendations. To view a meeting schedule [PDF], visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “CDAC.”

An online survey is also available through Dec. 5 for those who are unable to attend their county’s meeting and would like to provide feedback.

Preliminary recommendations, made during October council meetings, suggested an increase, decrease or maintenance in the local deer population. Councils considered scientific deer metrics and stakeholder and public opinion to develop a preliminary population objective recommendation.

To develop a final recommendation, each council will consider survey responses and professional opinions from department wildlife biologists, foresters and law enforcement. Final population objective recommendations will be presented to the department following December council meetings, after which they will be sent to the Natural Resources Board for approval in March. Once approved, population objectives will go into effect for the next three years, starting with the 2015 deer season.

Beginning in February, County Deer Advisory Councils will reconvene to develop antlerless quota recommendations that will move the deer herd toward their population objectives.

For more information regarding CDAC population objective recommendations, agendas and membership, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “CDAC” or email [email protected] with any additional questions.