The state’s deer czar is out with his preliminary report evaluating the Department of Natural Resources’ management of the deer herd.
James Kroll is known as “Dr. Deer” for his extensive work studying deer herds across the country. Since last fall, he’s been focusing his attention on Wisconsin. Kroll says the state has several problems that need to be addressed.
A primary concern is the way that the DNR decides how many deer to harvest each year. He says trying to figure out the number of deer in a specific area is very inaccurate, because there really is not good way to estimate the population.
Kroll says another major problem right now is that hunters and land owners don’t trust the agency. He says the DNR needs to start listening and doing more to get out working with the public.
Kroll says the DNR needs to look at deer management as a three-legged stool, with population, habitat, and people as the main areas. He says the agency has focuses too much attention on the population leg, while neglecting issues with habitat and concerns from the public.
Dr. Deer is holding a series of public meetings across the state next month.
AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (1:02)
Contributed by Rick Schuh, WHBY
