Rep. Angie Sapik Proposes Legislation To Help Promote Healthy White-Tail Population In The Northern Forest Zone

Lake Nebagamon -- Representative Angie Sapik (R-Lake Nebagamon) has been working for months on legislation to improve the white-tail deer population in Northern Wisconsin. While not every bill made it to committee, this bill will be influential in raising healthy deer numbers in an area where deer are failing to flourish as they did in years past.

This bill prohibits antlerless deer seasons in the Northern Forest Zone as well as minimizing antlered tags to a maximum of 2- one for muzzleloader/firearm and the other for bow/crossbow. This legislation sunsets in 4 years, then will be reassessed to include continued professional opinions from biologists, deer experts, local hunters through regional listening sessions, and the Department of Natural Resources.

According to Rep. Sapik: “There has been a noticeable decline in the deer herd size in Northern Wisconsin. It is essential that we take measures to improve the herd size and ensure that there are ample opportunities for hunters in this landscape. A lot of factors have a direct effect on the white-tail population. Over-predation and harsh winters have a drastically negative impact on the local deer numbers. While there’s not much we can do about our northern climate, we can reduce harvest numbers on reproducing deer to help improve the population.

I am proud to promote this bill aimed at improving the white-tail population in Northern Wisconsin, as I believe it is a positive step towards ensuring that our forests are adequately populated with deer as well as promoting future deer hunting camp traditions. This bill is a good piece of legislation to improve the herd size in the face of mass-predation and disastrous winter conditions. A few mild winters and this temporary legislation will guarantee an increase in Northern deer numbers, which we so desperately need.”