Knowing that many of our members in Wisconsin have a strong interest in the deer management practices instituted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), we are encouraging hunters to participate in an online survey conducted by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.  This will help the DNR understand the concerns of sportsmen in Wisconsin.  NRA is an active member of the Hunters Rights Coalition (HRC) and is working with all participating groups to pass along the following alert to our collective members.

HUNTERS RIGHTS COALITION MEMBER ALERT

The HRC has one seat on the Natural Resources Board (NRB) Earn-a-Buck Alternative Committee.  We are seeking public input on conceptual Alternative Packages developed by working groups of the committee.  Your input is vital to help finalize recommendations to the Natural Resources Board for alternatives to Earn-a-Buck and current Herd Control methods.

The deadline for survey completion was extended to: MIDNIGHT, FRI. July 31.  We are encouraging you to be part of the process shaping the future of deer hunting in Wisconsin.  This is a fairly long survey and may take an hour or more to review, compare alternatives and complete the survey.  DO NOT SKIP directly to the Public Survey before reading the 3 alternative packages or you will not understand the survey questions.

The third package, the "Targeted Harvest Incentive Package" was compiled by the HRC, Quality Deer Management and Wisconsin Bowhunters Association.  It provides the most opportunity to harvest bucks while at the same time focusing more hunter effort on antlerless deer on private land in Herd Control units where overpopulation hot spots occur.  Our package is the only one that has built in protection for over harvest of bucks with extended seasons, as well as protection for antlerless deer on public land.  It is the only package without the controversial October T-Zone hunt.  We believe the simplicity and consistency of season dates create the least conflict with other users as well as greater acceptance and opportunity for deer hunters.  Antler restrictions are a new concept in Wisconsin but have been embraced by hunters in Pennsylvania 3 to 1 as well as many other states.  They are in fact less restrictive than Earn-a-buck or antlerless-only seasons.