Hi, I’m Representative Chanz Green and I represent the 74th Assembly District in the State of Wisconsin. The 74th Assembly District encompasses all of Iron, Sawyer, and Washburn County and portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Burnett County.
I wanted to take some time to talk to you today about the need for population based units for deer hunting in the Northern Forest Zone instead of the current county-based model.
The Department of Natural Resources has time and time again talked about how their science and data is what drives their decision making. I agree that science and data should be used and that’s why I support population-based units. By using population-based units, wildlife management can be more dynamic and responsive to actual data, rather than relying on broad generalizations based on county borders. This allows for more adaptive and scientifically-grounded decisions, improving the long-term health of deer populations and their habitats.
Deer populations vary significantly within counties, especially in large areas like the Northern Forest Zone, which can have vast differences in deer density across different regions.
The county model can sometimes lead to uneven hunting opportunities across different regions. A population-based model ensures that areas with high deer populations receive more focused attention, while regions with fewer deer are not subjected to overly restrictive quotas or hunting pressure.
It is important and imperative we take this step towards achieving quality hunting in the Northern Forest Zone.
Thank you.
