FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2012
Contact: Andy Pantzlaff
920-676-2974
The United Sportsmen of Wisconsin (USW) appreciate the efforts of Dr. Kroll and his team, Dr. Gary Alt and Dr. David Guynn. We value this team of experts’ recommendations. USW endorses the findings of the final report, A 21st Century Model for Deer Management in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp and her staff within the DNR to implement these recommendations.
Dr. Kroll’s expert analysis provides great insight into the white tail deer management in Wisconsin. His final report stresses three basic tools for deer management: human dimension, habitat and population.
The human dimension, the importance of landowner and hunter input to have a successful deer management program, is a key element in this final report, as it should be. “The solutions to our deer management problems fall squarely on the dynamics of sportsmen, landowners and the DNR. The hunting community stands ready to provide our input to implement these recommendations, “said Dean Hamilton, USW President.
Habitat is vital for a healthy herd and we need to review our forestry practices along with admitting that CWD eradication is impossible. “As a land owner in the CWD Eradication zone I can say with certainty that the current DNR policy on CWD since 2002 has been an utter failure, and I welcome the recommendations of Dr. Kroll and his staff with regards to revised CWD regulations,” said Scott Maves, USW Treasurer.” The change is long overdue.”
“Deer hunters have long held an opinion that the DNR was not accurate on deer population estimates, and goal setting using SAK (sex aged kill,)” said Andy Pantzlaff, USW Vice President. “This report validates our concerns with the accuracy of the SAK model – that it is out dated and should be scrapped and we look forward to a more real world model of the deer population based on landowner observations.”
The three basic tools outlined in Dr. Kroll’s report are essential to not only maintaining proper health in the deer population, but also to balance the peaceful co-habitation of wild life and landowner by minimizing the problems that have been experienced to date.
USW would also like to express our appreciation to Governor Scott Walker for appointing an independent deer expert to evaluate Wisconsin’s deer management practices and fulfilling yet another campaign promise.
USW is a sporting advocacy group that works to preserve Wisconsin’s strong hunting and sporting heritage for our future generations. USW will protect the rights of and advocate on behalf of hunters, fishermen, trappers and gun owners in Wisconsin.