Before you Comment, you should click on the link and read the entire article. We need to trust science and the Biologists in the DNR or your local state game commissions, at least some of the time. I think the outrage here is partly because of the Earn-a-Buck program, and specific WMU's that had poor numbers. Weather may have contributed too. The Harvest was # 10 in state history, with all 10 being since 1994. It's not uncommon for hunters to distrust the Game Commission, and sometimes rightfully so, but I think it's cliche for some older or crotchety hunters to blame a poor season personally on the DNR. Try looking in the mirror.

Cold and rainy opening day explains a lackluster season. Same thing in PA

I was in Wisconsin for Opening day this year, and it was not rainy, but was cold. The outrage from most hunters is the lack of deer they are seeing, and also with the method the DNR uses to estimate the deer herd. The DNR has been over estimating the deer herd drastically and under estimating the bear numbers. Since the number of deer were over estimated, areas where kept as EAB for longer than necessary to reduce the deer herd in that area. So over the last couple of years hunters shot additional does then they normally would have so they could get their buck tag, and now their are far fewer deer in certain areas, which is not necessarily bad, but the hunters were used to seeing a certain amount of deer per day and now might not see any deer at all, or very few over the course of the week.

MB,
Very similar to what's been going on in PA last several years except there is no earn-a-buck. For the same reasons you mention PGC changed the rules, seasons and doe permit allocations resulting in hunters killing more deer (does) several years in a row. Now, the herd is healthier albeit less numerous. Hunters see fewer deer and are outraged. Antler restrictions, 3 or 4 pts per side, depending on unit, mean hunters who perennially killed bucks (many spikes and forkies) now are unsuccessful. I can sympathise, it sucks to not fill your tag. Personally i have had great success and killed better bucks since the restrictions were put in place, but as a whole we (camp) kill fewer but better bucks. We do not have the wolves or CWD to deal with so that also is taken into DNR's gameplan in WI. All we can do is hope next season is better than the last.

I didn't hear a lot of complaints in PA this year. Deer are plentiful in the eastern part of the state as always with bigger bucks every year since the restrictions. Camp is out in the northcentral part of the state and all three of us who got out for the opener took deer, two nice bucks and a large doe. I thought this year was odd mostly because almost all hunters I talked to have taken a deer or helped a buddy drag one out over the course of the seasons.

Steve,
I also hunted in PA last year. Alwasy try to go up for 3-4 days of bowhunting in November. Have only done it the last two years so not sure what the number of deer sightings beforehand where, but I hunt on public land up there and over the last two years, of seven total days of hunting I have seen 11 different bucks(4 shooters in regards to AR) and just 5 does. Anywhere else I have hunted, I never seen more bucks than does so I believe that a lot of does were wiped out. While I do find it weird I do not see a lot of does, I am not complaining with seeing plenty of bucks, regardless if they are not legal.

I strongly agree that its the DNR here in WI that is causing so much uproar. Think about all the turmoil that has come off of CWD and how the DNR took care of that: kill,kill,kill!
Plus, every year, they respond to questions concerning the deer population with the same answer: kill,kill,kill!
But, the funny part to this is, that for every sentence spoke about cutting down herds or any type of herd control period, there are paragraphs being spoken on all the "new" laws and regulations that will enable us to kill them.
Im not sure the DNR here has its head on straight, or at least its not tightend down all the way. I for one ahve been to SEVERAL meetings and seminars, envolving the WI DNR, and I can tell you this much....
They dodge questions faster then Barry Sanders on a runback! Its terrible!
It seems the only thing we have to really rely on is science and hopefully it can find a way to get things back to the norm a little.

I need to live somewhere where there are more deer. :{)

The fact is the DNR is counting how many deer are killed and using that information to project the population. People will still kill deer, however, unlike 5 years ago you shoot 1 out of the 20 per year you saw, now, you are shooting the only one that comes around. The DNR stat stays the same. The hunters are mad because they want to see the abundance of deer in the woods and not be so inclined to shoot at the first brown they see knowing it could very well be the last brown they see because of the guy hunting on the property next door being in the same position.

I think that some of the outrage may come because many feel that the Wisconsin DNR over manages everything. I moved away several years ago but still have many friends and family that hunt there. In recent years they have had an eratication zone to combat cronic wasting. They have had many extra earn a buck and antlerless only hunts. People are forced to shoot small deer that they may normally let go. This may be leading to a lower quality heard. Many feel that the insurance lobby is pushing to lower the heard to reduce the number of vehicle/deer accident claims. Others feel that eraticating the heard in certain area's is dangerous. Now hunters are seeing the effects of these programs. Sure the overall kill may be up but the heard is full of more immature deer that hunters are forced to harvest just to get a chance at a buck. Or if they live in some area's the deer heard has been devestated by such practices. In addition, the state is constantly dipping into funds gathered by licenses and fees and diverting those monies to other programs. For instance the price of a Pheasant stamp is supposed to go toward stocking and habitat maintenance yet every year fewer and fewer Pheasants are stocked in fewer and fewer locations. I would say there is without a doubt a distrust of the WI DNR among the citizens of the state. It is one thing to trust gov't agencies but that does not mean that citizens shouldn't continue to question them and hold them accountable.

well, the season wasnt unproductive for me. I got 3 last year and earned my buck for next year. and if it wouldntve been for the earn a buck. i would have a ten pointer. but it was the best season ive ever had

In Wisconsin there is way too many people will only shoot Bucks and not control the herd by shooting does.