Wisconsin Deerhunters, Inc.

Keeping on track with deer research updates, here is what we've been working on since late December 2011.  Despite warm temperatures and minimal snow throughout much of the state, deer trapping efforts continue.  As of this moment, we have captured 23 deer (6 ear tagged female fawns, 2 ear-tagged yearling (1.75 yr. old) females, 1 recaptured yearling female, 3 adult (>2.75 yrs) females, 8 radiocollared male fawns, 3 ear-tagged male fawns) in the eastcentral study area.  Similarly, we have captured 3 deer (2 radiocollared male fawns, 1 ear-tagged female fawn) in the northern forest study area.  Unfortunately, we have incurred some capture-related mortality, including the female fawn captured in the northern forest and an adult female captured in the eastcentral region.  The research team takes mortality events very seriously and will continue to modify capture and handling procedures to minimize subsequent deaths.  We are confident that mortality events will be substantially lower than during the 2011 capture season. 

The annual report I developed earlier this fall is still working its way through internal review.  At this point, I hope to have a revision ready for a second round of internal review by the end of the day.  We are still on track to release this information as a public document during mid- to late January 2012.  I will continue to provide status updates on our progress on a weekly basis.