Deer population remains 44% over goal - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - State wildlife officials estimate that Wisconsin had 1.14 million deer after the 2011 hunting seasons, essentially unchanged from last year but 44% higher than the state's goal.

The state Department of Natural Resources is required to manage the deer herd to a population goal of 796,000.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report says the DNR will hold meetings throughout the state this month to gather public input on deer management.

Lawmakers passed a 2011 law that eliminated the DNR's use of earn-a-buck regulations across the state. The regulations required hunters to kill an antlerless deer before they could bag a trophy buck.

DNR big-game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang says the agency is recommending a 4-day hunt for antlerless deer in October in certain designated areas.