Wisconsin hunting program will match returning military personnel to landowners with nuisance deer

Wisconsin state lawmakers have approved a special gun deer hunt for returning servicemen and women who missed the regular hunting season because they were deployed.

The program will match military personnel to private landowners whose crops are being damaged by nuisance deer, reports the Wisconsin State Journal.

State Rep. Chris Danou believes a special hunt is a great way to recognize the more than 3,000 soldiers returning to Wisconsin and thank them for their service.

"These guys missed out on almost a year of their lives," Danou said.

The original bill was inspired by a soldier serving in Iraq who wrote to legislators last month asking about the opportunity to go deer hunting after coming home, to provide venison for his family.

Danou was the chief sponsor of the legislation, along with Sen. Kathleen Vinehout. The original bill introduced would have created an additional hunting season from Feb. 4 through Feb. 7 but was expanded to run to September.

"This gives soldiers flexibility," added Danou. "They can go out any day between now and September convenient for the veteran and the farmer." 

Seems like a win-win for all concerned. Well, except for the deer.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: White-tailed deer buck. Credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

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