Public comments are very important in developing our deer management strategies.
At each of the five public meeting sites, biologists from the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources will review results of the 1997 season, as well as proposed changes in permit application procedures, harvest limits and site-specific regulations. Last year, hunters participating in the firearm, muzzleloader and archery seasons could take as many as four antlered deer, with limits of two during the firearm and muzzleloader seasons and two during the archery season. The survey also told us that hunters most enjoy being outdoors and are happy to harvest any deer. Only about 5 percent of hunters take more than one antlered deer. Proposed new firearm deer hunting sites for 1998 include Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Cypress Pond State Natural Area.