Deer Czar's thoughts on deer hunting

Is this what we want in Wisconsin. I don't think I like this guy telling our DNR how to manage our deer herd. http://www.lodivalleynews.com/human-interest/public-game-management-is-the-last-bastion-of-communism-dr-james-kroll-walker-appointed-deer-trustee/

If I have to pay $1000+ dollars to hunt bow and gun in Wisconsin then I'm done. I head up there at least 15 weekends/weeks a year during bow and gun season and spend money on gas, food, beer, and other items every weekend. All that would do is cause the people that don't make a ton of money to not be able to go. I go up there to hunt with family on our own land that we pay taxes on. Wisconsin already charges way more then any state to fish so that should even it out. $50 compared to $31 in Illinois and $34 in Michigan. A lot more non residents fish, so they can jack that charge up $5 to make probably the same amount of revenue as a hunting license increase.

The revenue from higher license sales would probably even out losing some hunters,but it is the local business owners that would suffer. Less people in hotel, resturants and bars ect.

I plan to bowhunt in Iowa in 2013. I live 0.5 miles from Iowa so that is the main reason I can justify this with my wife. It's $50 to get a preference point and it takes 3 points to get a tag where I hunt. So $150 added on to the $551 for a license to hunt a buck is $701. I beleive it is over $500 to hunt IL too. If WI would go with reciprocating license fees just for IL hunters there would be a significant increase in revenue. Even though MN produces the highest amount of NR hunters their fee isn't as outrageous. Reciprocating license fees are long overdue in this state and there would not be a huge drop in license sales as they fear. The drop in sales that would occur would more than be negated by the increased revenue brought in by the higher fees. As others said, people will still pay to hunt here.

The letters section was much better though.

I think Iowa public land is over-run with out of staters as you say, due to more deer and more big bucks. This comes from limited tags and shotgun or muzzleloaders, no rifles during the two gun seasons.

Then it makes sense to raise the cost, why not do it to get some xtra dnr revenue? If other states charge an outlandish price why not even it up?

I don't think out of state hunters are the issue. I see a few from time to time but not piles of them. Also I do not think increasing the cost of out of state liceneses wold slow down the hunters. Iowa is almost $600.00 to shoot a buck. Just go to any public land in Iowa during the deer season and you will see license plates from Michigan, Indiana, Wisco, Dakotas, MO pretty much you name it. The public land is about over run with out of staters. In fact when the license was lower in price, there were less out of state hunters.

CM....I believe it's called sarcasm.

I don't agree lakeshiner.

I like how everybody thinks they are right and no one can disagree with anyone. This thread is a waste of time.

foosdog setting limits on tag does not mean that you wont be to get one. Hell, at this point I can get 4 free tags a day for the nine day season (not including other seasons). I could should 36 doe tags and if I understand it right I could have a pocket full of buck tags. Then throw in the other seasons and I could really clean house. How about start with a limit on tags. Kinda like turkey hunting. Hunting out west is not a rich mans sport. For in state hunters it is no more that what we pay here (not including a moose or sheep tag). With the drawing systems you put in for multiple areas. If you dont draw you get a general tag and hunt in the general area (that all in state hunters can buy over the counter) Final thought on your comment with young kids not wanting to hunt and poaching increasing. Poaching happens now and if one cant play by the law it doesnt matter how many tags they can get. Personally Id rather discourage this type of hunter (one who poaches) and make it more difficult for him/her to get a tag.

"Limit tags and limited hunting on public lands would kill hunting! a kid isn't gunna wait 3 years for a deer tag. he will just stop hunting. and the ammount of poaching will sky rocket. if it happens i will move to a state with normal hunting laws. i dont care what they do out west this is wisconsin.. and hunting shouldnt be a rich mans sport." Well said Gator!

"Donkeysled, So, if my son or daughter move out of state when they come home for Thanksgiving they have to pay a few hundred to hunt on our property where, by the way, our house is also located?" Ummm....yes. If you go hunt in the state where your children live do you have to pay for a NR license? I recently moved to MN. If I come back and hunt on my folks' land this year I fully expect to pay for a NR license.

Limit tags and limited hunting on public lands would kill hunting a kid isnt gunna wait 3 years for a deer tag. he will just stop hunting. and the ammount of poaching will sky rocket. if it happens i will move to a state with normal hunting laws. i dont care what they do out west this is wisconsin.. and hunting shouldnt be a rich mans sport.