DNR pondering deer unit revamp to include habitat-related impacts

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking preliminary public input on proposed modifications to the state’s deer management unit boundaries as officials ponder whether to return to habitat-based units instead of county boundaries.

The comment period ends this Sunday, Oct. 20, so interested hunters and land managers don’t have much time to be heard on the subject.

According to an agency press release, the DNR reviews deer management units every few years. 

“This review will focus on the management units in the Northern Forest Zone, the Metropolitan subunits, and the boundary lines between the Forest and Farmland Zones,” they said, noting the Farmland Zone units are not being reviewed at this time.

The DNR is using this year’s evaluation to consider suggestions received during County Deer Advisory Council meetings and legislative hearings. Three of the suggestions being considered are: 

1. Adjusting deer management unit boundaries within the Northern Forest Zone based on habitat type rather than county borders.

2. Reducing the size of the Central Forest Zone (especially in Wood, Adams, Juneau and Monroe counties).

3. Adjusting Metropolitan subunits around the state.

The purpose of this comment period is to help the DNR gauge public support for these changes.

It’s been more than a decade since the DNR dropped its habitat-based deer management units and moved to county borders, despite significant criticism from biologists and hunters.

Arguments against the change focused on the more than 50 years of information the agency had compiled using the smaller, habitat-based units — such as Unit 35 in the snow belt area of northern Vilas County or Unit 36 in the more residential areas of St. Germain.

The DNR initially founded the habitat-based units in order to more effectively manage the herd, including distribution of antlerless deer tags, in a system where harvest limits would reflect population density.

For example, quite often fewer antlerless tags were distributed in the snow belt areas of northern Vilas compared with the more residential areas around St. Germain, Eagle River and Three Lakes. Harsher winter conditions contributed to winterkill and required a different type of management, they believed,

But today’s system of using county borders only differentiates public versus private when issuing antlerless deer tags, with no consideration given for harsher winters in the snow belt areas or a lack of logging on national forests compared to state and county forests.

The DNR is asking the public to share any thoughts, questions or concerns using the comment tool on the DNR’s Deer Management webpage. A map of deer management units and management zones is also available to help visualize the current boundaries. The DNR will review and consider all feedback submitted during the input period.

According to the press release, a final recommendation will be presented to the Natural Resources Board for approval in time for the 2025 deer season.