Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 1-99 - Fish, Game and Enforcement, Forestry and Recreation › Chapter NR 1 - Natural Resources Board Policies › Section NR 1.15 - Big game mammals

Current through June 24, 2024
Big game mammals in Wisconsin are white-tailed deer, black
				  bear and elk. The needs and actions specified in this section are essential to
				  an effective big game management program.
(1) HABITAT MANAGEMENT. The natural growth
				and changing composition of forest stands, particularly in the north, is
				causing a long-term decline in habitat quality for big game and other forest
				wildlife.
(a)
Forest
				diversity.
A planned program of maintaining forest diversity including
				shade-intolerant cover types, particularly aspen, oak and forest openings, is
				required to slow or halt this decline in habitat quality and to maintain deer
				populations at established population objectives.
(b)
Summer range.
Habitat
				conditions are deteriorating most rapidly on summer deer range. Forest
				maturation, conversion from sun-loving tree species to shade tolerant species
				and loss of grassy openings are reducing the quality of summer deer range and
				with it, the deer carrying capacity in northern Wisconsin. The habitat
				management objective is to provide an adequate mixture of aspen, oak, upland
				brush, jack pine and sodded openings in connection with regular forest
				management practices.
(c)
Winter range.
Winter habitat may be increasing as a result of
				expanding coniferous cover and implementation of deer yard plans on public
				lands. However, winter deer survival is largely dependent on fat acquired on
				the summer range. Deer have evolved physiologically and behaviorally to survive
				in northern forest habitats under average winter conditions. Occasional severe
				winters will result in deer mortality. These periodic losses are considered
				normal for northern deer and will occur irrespective of winter habitat quality.
				Severe deer losses can be mitigated most effectively by maintaining quality
				summer habitat. Direct feeding of hay, corn or other agricultural crops is
				seldom effective and even detrimental if not introduced gradually over time.
				While browse cutting does provide natural feed, it is largely ineffective.
				Specially formulated feed in pelletized form has been demonstrated to benefit
				malnourished deer. However, the cost and logistics of feeding enough deer to
				produce a measurable result in subsequent years precludes feeding as normal
				public policy. The department recognizes public concern for malnourished deer,
				public desire to feed stressed deer regardless of cost or measurable results
				and the benefits to individual animals which are properly fed. Therefore, the
				following policy is adopted for wintering deer in the northern forest.
1. The department will seek appropriate deer
				harvest quotas to move deer populations in the direction specified by deer
				population objectives.
2. Habitat
				management will emphasize maintaining summer range quality which will produce
				well nourished deer in the fall and enhance their overwinter
				survival.
3. The department will
				monitor wintering deer herds by surveying yarding areas and measuring winter
				severity.
4. The department will
				implement existing deer yard plans to maximize browse and perpetuate priority
				cover.
5. The department will
				provide technical advice and guidance to individuals and groups on where, when,
				what and how to feed privately acquired food to deer during severe
				winters.