Deer czar introduced to state wildlife officials

SUN PRAIRIE - As a product of his accolades, the hunting community knows James Kroll as Dr. Deer. Now Wisconsin hunters are getting to know him as the state's Whitetail Deer Trustee, a title Kroll says is his most prized accomplishment.

“I feel an awesome responsibility. It is an honor, but it is a weighty responsibility,” said Kroll.

Appointed by Governor Scott Walker, Kroll is paid $125,000 to analyze Wisconsin's deer herd and recommend how it should be managed.

“He understands that you've got to have people working together on this,” said Walker. This is an important part of our heritage. It is an important part of our economy and we're going to get it right.

Kroll may be from Texas but he says he is no stranger to Wisconsin. He says he first hunted in the state 30 years ago and spent the last three summers here studying deer habitat.

“You never turn the deer herd around in three to five years,” said Kroll. “It's impossible, it's biologically impossible, but it depends on the commitment of the Governor and the legislature.”

On Tuesday, Kroll met with 11 hunting officials from across the state to discuss the pros and cons of the Wisconsin deer population.

“I'm very excited about the discussion,” said Andy Pantslaff, a hunter from Maribel at the meeting. “I feel that for the first time I believe the department, the governor, the deer trustee are going to start listening to the people.”

While it appeared to be all ears on this day, hunters hope the results will show in Kroll's preliminary deer report, which is due March 1st.

“I feel like we can do it, but if we don't do it, I guarantee what I said here today, I meant, 50 years from now deer hunting will be dead,” said Kroll. “It won't be because of CWD. It'll be because the degrading of the experience and the lack of involvement from the very folks that should be involved in deer management.”

The folks at the discussion say they will contribute all they can to ensure that doesn't happen.

Kroll plans more listening sessions with hunters across the state. He says he was in the Green Bay area last week and plans to return next month.