Longer gun deer hunt debated

CRIVITZ - Many Wisconsin hunters are fired up again, this time at a proposal to extend the state's gun deer hunting season by a week. The proposal would have the season start one week earlier and last a total of 16 days.

"I feel that this is something, for a lack of a better term, they're trying to shove down our throats," said Korey Heimke, a hunter from Abrams.

On Wednesday, more than 100 people attended a public hearing in Crivitz to sound off on the proposal. It was the first of 11 scheduled to take place around the state in the next few weeks.

"In simple terms, it boils down to more hunting opportunities for archery and gun hunters," said John Huff, a wildlife biologist for the DNR.

"The proposal we're talking about includes an earlier start to the gun season," Huff added.

In spring, the DNR decided to discontinue earn-a-buck after pressure from hunters who had complained that the program was decimating the state's deer herd. The agency, however, believes there needs to be some deer control program in place.

"This proposal is an attempt to find something people will like that is effective as earn-a-buck," said Huff.

Previously, hunters had to kill a doe before they could bag a buck. Some say a longer gun deer hunt would only add to the problem, especially since the season would start while deer are more active.

"During the rut, that's going to decimate the population more than it already is," said Heimke.

"There is no deer herd. There's nothing to control, that's the problem. If there is something to control, I could see doing something but there's nothing here, not around here any how," said Jim Brennan, a hunter from Amberg.

But not all hunters are against the idea of a longer gun deer hunt. Doug Sleaford, a hunter from New Berlin, said it would make going out more enjoyable.

"I like the idea. It's going to open up the middle of the week a lot of times. You won't have that big influx over one weekend when you can't barely walk around in the woods," said Brennan.

In the meantime, the DNR will continue listening - but coming up with a solution that makes everyone happy is highly unlikely.

If any changes are made, they won't go in effect until 2010.

One more of the public hearings will be held in northeastern Wisconsin later this month. It will be held at the Fox Valley Technical College in Grand Chute on Monday October 26.