WISCONSIN — The DNR’s Conservation Congress is considering a major change to Wisconsin's annual nine day gun deer season. They’re contemplating tacking on an extra ten days to the season, which in turn would give hunters more than double the time to tag a deer.
According to the DNR, gun deer license sales have dropped by nearly 20 percent over the last 25 years in Wisconsin. And that has department heads questioning whether or not a lengthened season could drum up interest in the sport.
"We've had a traditional nine day season for a long time and I would say periodically we do look into the concept of changing it, lengthening it on the front end or back end. It's something that comes up periodically. People just wonder can we do things differently. Will there be advantages of doing things differently," says Scott Loomans, the DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Division Administrator.
This spring Wisconsin's Natural Resources Board will be asking hunters what they think about potentially lengthening the nine day gun deer season to 19 days. They'll be asking people at their annual spring hearing and online.
"Public opinion is very valuable to our Natural Resources Board and so a lot of our seasons are based on the opinions of hunters and fishermen," adds Bryan Woodbury a Wildlife Biologist for the DNR.
To find out where hunters stand on the matter just go online, where opinions vary across the board. Facebook user, Moose Stephan said the idea didn't make sense on NBC26’s Facebook page.
"That's just crazy. You guys got hunting almost year round as is with all the special hunts going... The north is decimated as is. The lowest numbers in years on harvest... Does it really sound like a great idea?"
But others like user, Nick Eric like the idea of an extended hunt. Eric stating that he thinks more people will actually let small deer grow up if they have more opportunity to wait for the right buck.
"What deer season should look like… Hunters will take their time and manage deer better. Allows them to see deer and let them grow."
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress will present the question for the public to weigh in on in the near future. But for the time being, they are asking hunters to consider attending their annual spring hearing where everyone will have the opportunity to be heard.
"The meetings will be Monday, April 13th and there will be a location at every county in the state. We're going to let people talk about it, weigh the pros and the cons and we'll take that input,” says Loomans.
