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Consider joining the upcoming Department of Natural Resources’ Operation Deer Watch – the citizen observation survey done in August and September. It’s fun to do. And you’ll know your efforts will help the state’s scientists manage the deer herd.
How do you do it? It’s simple. All you do is watch and write – that’s about it. Really.
You’ll be asked to keep track of the bucks, does and fawns you see during the day from August 1 through September 30. Next, you’ll record your observations on an online tally sheet the DNR researchers will provide. They will want you to provide the date you saw the deer, the deer management unit where you saw the deer and the type and number you saw.
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Everyone who logs observations on the tally form AND provides an email address will get the final report summarizing your 2012 deer observations.
The citizen observation survey isn’t new. It started in 2010. Since that inaugural year, the DNR has collected more than 7,000 citizen observations.
Last summer, Operation Deer Watch generated more than 3,300 observations. A total of 4,004 deer were observed by 1,059 individual observers during August and September 2011.
Want to learn more? Visit this DNR webpage for information, videos, previous years’ results. http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/harvest/summerdeer.htm
You’ll also see the link for the survey, but it isn’t operating just yet as we are days away from August 1.
Have questions? You may contact these two DNR Bureau of Science Services researchers to learn more about how to get involved: Brian Dhuey, brian.dhuey@wisconsin.gov, 608-221-6342, or Jessica Rees, Jessica.Rees@wisconsin.gov, 608-221-6360.
