Taking care of business the Wisconsin way!
If you’re from Wisconsin you likely are well educated on the earn-a-buck program. The law states you have to shoot a doe first before you can shoot a buck. It’s a simple regulation to help promote the reduction of deer statewide in an effort to reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.
Wisconsin has been pounding its herd to get a handle on the spreading disease.
Now hunters have spoken out with the message they don’t much like the earn-a-buck program and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources seems to be getting the message. They are considering eliminating the program in most areas except the CWD zones as noted by the DNR.
A major decrease in the deer harvest for 2008 along with input from organizations and private citizens led to the consideration. If this takes place in 2009 it won’t be permanent. It will just be a test period while other ideas and proposals are being kicked around. The state is still serious about CWD and wants a management plan in place that hits DNR goals.
Although I’ve never totally been sold that CWD is the big, bad wolf, I understand that herds need to be controlled, especially the antlerless aspect. I just don’t think it’s fair to make you ignore a shooter buck when it shows up. Years back they also tried a similar program in my native state of South Dakota. It also caused an uproar and died a quick death.
Create ample windows of opportunity for doe hunting, promote youth deer hunting, give out cheap licenses or even free licenses and provide easy avenues to get the meat to needy families. That’s a program that works for everyone.
Mark Kayser
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