Help Shape Deer Season For Your Community

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and County Deer Advisory Councils are seeking public input to prepare for the 2024 deer season.

Each county in Wisconsin has a County Deer Advisory Council that meets annually to provide input and recommendations to the DNR on deer management in its county.

The online public comment period will be open April 6-14, 2024. Complete the public input questionnaire to help provide feedback for your County Deer Advisory Council.

County Deer Advisory Council recommendations are based on deer metrics, county deer population objectives and public feedback. Information on each county’s harvest and population metrics can be found on the Wisconsin Deer Metrics System database. 

The online public comment period is an opportunity for anyone interested in helping shape local deer herd management. Local County Deer Advisory Councils will consider public comments when creating recommendations for the DNR.

Interested members of the public are encouraged to participate in the discussion at their local County Deer Advisory Council meeting. At these meetings, councils review county data on fawn-to-doe ratios, harvest trends, herd health, deer impacts on agriculture, forest health, vehicle collisions and hunter experience. This information is reviewed annually to respond to deer harvest, winter severity and other factors that impact the upcoming deer season.

The 2024 County Deer Advisory Council meetings will occur between April 22 – May 2, 2024.

You can search for and view the County Deer Advisory Council meeting info on the DNR's Meetings & Hearings calendar. 

Following the County Deer Advisory Council process, the DNR will bring recommendations for the 2024 season to the Natural Resources Board for consideration in June.