Governor Walker announces budget provisions to implement Deer Trustee
Report “Deer hunting in Wisconsin is part of our DNA. It feeds traditions and
fuels a huge economic engine for the state.”
That’s what Governor Scott Walker said today as he unveiled budget
provisions he says will make sure the 2012 Deer Trustee Report is successfully
implemented.
You may remember in 2011 Gov. Walker commissioned Dr. James C. Kroll as the
state’s Whitetail Deer Trustee to take an independent look at how the state
manages its deer herd. The conclusions of Dr. Kroll’s study, along with input
from hunters and conservationists, were compiled into 62 recommendations for
Department of Natural Resources implementation. That report was released last
July.
Recommendations from that report included: forming a Deer Management
Assistance Program (D-MAP) to improve the partnership between hunters,
landowners and DNR in managing deer on private land; updating technology to
gather information on land cover to better inform decisions; and, adopting a
more passive approach to CWD management where the disease exists while providing
the public improved access to deer testing.
Specific to these recommendations, Gov. Walker’s budget provisions include
authority for DNR to:
Establish Deer Management Assistance Program (D-MAP): Develop and sustain a
Deer Management Assistance Program, including setting a fee for services
provided and establishing a D-MAP coordinator position within the DNR. Invest in
Updated Technology: Invest in new satellite imagery technology to provide land
cover data statewide to best inform decisions of deer managers and to be used
for the benefit of landowner and local government partners. Fund CWD Testing and
Surveillance: Begin charging fees for antlerless deer tags in counties with CWD,
using a portion of fees to fund surveillance efforts and improve the turnaround
time of and access to CWD testing. Develop Emergency Rules: Enable DNR to begin
implementation for the 2013 deer season with final implementation as soon as the
2014 deer season. The DNR has begun the initial stages of developing its system
for implementation. This includes appointing a Trustee Report Coordinator and
establishing a set of action teams that will include conservation partners --
including tribal representatives, members of the public and key Department staff
to define actions necessary to implement portions of the plan.
DNR Secretary says talented staff, partners ready for task In response to
today’s announcement from the governor, DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp said the
department has “talented staff and dedicated partners to see implementation
through.” Here is her statement:
“Each year, hundreds of thousands of hunters, representing all states in
the nation and even foreign countries, take to Wisconsin’s woods and farmlands
to harvest deer. We have seen an increasing number of hunters, including new
youth and female hunters. We continue to rank in the top five deer hunting
states in the country for total harvest, and this year the buck archery harvest
broke the state’s all-time record.
“We have a strong base to build on, but we can always do better. One area
for improvement is how we work with hunters, landowners, tribes and other
partners. It is a priority of mine to improve these relationships and the
initiatives in the Governor’s budget are integral to doing this.
“Implementation of the Deer Trustee Report will enhance how deer are
managed in Wisconsin. We look forward to continuing to work with partners,
tribes and stakeholders to implement the Deer Trustee Report to the fullest
extent possible.
“Together we can solidify Wisconsin as the state for great deer, great
hunting, and great experiences."
Scott Walker to budget $2 million for deer management
Paul A. Smith
Published: Yesterday
The proposed 2013-'15 Wisconsin budget will include nearly $2 million in
deer management initiatives to "assure successful implementation" of the state's
white-tailed deer trustee report, Gov. Scott Walker announced Friday.
The initiatives are intended to enhance Wisconsin's rich hunting tradition
and improve the partnership between hunters and the Department of Natural
Resources, Walker said.
"Deer hunting in Wisconsin is part of our DNA," Walker said. "It feeds
traditions and fuels a huge economic engine for the state."
Although the governor has yet to release the entire proposed budget, pieces
have been made public in recent days.
The deer measures come in the wake of a Walker-initiated external review of
the state's deer management practices.
James Kroll, Gary Alt and David Guynn completed the $125,000 project last
July. Their report included 62 recommendations for changes to Wisconsin deer
management.
Walker said the budget provisions create the infrastructure needed to
implement the report to the "fullest extent possible, ensuring Wisconsin's
standing not only as a national destination for deer hunting, but also a
national leader in deer management."
The proposed budget includes $1.94 million over the biennium for new deer
measures.
According to a statement released Friday by the governor's office, the
three primary initiatives are: forming a Deer Management Assistance Program
(DMAP) to improve the partnership among hunters, landowners and the DNR in
managing deer on private land; updating technology to gather information on land
cover to better inform decisions; and adopting a more passive approach to
chronic wasting disease management where the disease exists while providing the
public improved access to deer testing.
The budget would include authority for the DNR to add a staff position to
coordinate a DMAP program. It also would set a fee for services provided through
the program.
The budget also would invest in new satellite imagery technology to provide
land cover data statewide.
In addition, the budget would begin charging fees for antlerless deer tags
in counties with CWD, using a portion of fees to fund surveillance efforts and
improve the turnaround time of and access to CWD testing.
The largest proposed item is $450,000 for a GIS system to assess land
cover.
The budget also would include $410,000 for a statewide trail camera
monitoring project. Kroll is a proponent of using trail cameras to assess deer
and other wildlife populations.
The DNR has appointed a staff member to coordinate its efforts to implement
the report's recommendations.
Beginning in March, several teams are expected to begin working on details
of implementation. The teams will be comprised by members of conservation clubs,
tribal representatives, members of the public and DNR staff.
"This is not a report that is going to sit on a shelf and collect dust,"
Walker said. "The budget language paves the way for progress, giving DNR the
tools necessary to implement the Deer Trustee Report."
The full budget is expected to be released later this month.
Wolf tags: In another hunting item, Walker on Friday said the budget will
propose lowering the price of a resident wolf hunting license to $50. The
Legislature and governor set the price at $100 last year when they passed and
signed Act 169.
© 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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