County Deer Advisory Council 2020 First Meeting Minutes and Recommendations

County Deer Advisory Council
2020 First Meeting Minutes and
Recommendations

County: Manitowoc
Submit this form no later than April 10 to [email protected].
ORDER OF BUSINESS 3/30/20 6:00PM CONFERENCE CALL
Date Meeting Time Meeting Location
1. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
a. CALL TO ORDER
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY Dan Cichantek at 6:02
Council Officer Name Time
b. ROLL CALL
COUNCIL
ATTENDEES
Dan Cichanetek, Reed Kabelowsky, Scott Umland, Jeffrey Schuler, Steven Lenzner, Karl Kuhn, Henry
Katz, Thomas Hermann
EXCUSED
UNEXCUSED
ATTENDANCE
NUMBERS
12 members of the public, along with DNR biologist Steve Easterly, DNR warden Alyssa Neff-Miller,
and DNR Forester Jake Schroeder
c. AGENDA APPROVAL OR REPAIR
d. REVIEW OF CDAC CHARTER
e. MEETING MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL
f. REVIEW MEETING AND DISCUSSION ETIQUETTE
2. REVIEW OF 2019 DEER SEASON RESULTS AND QUOTA SETTING PROCESS
DISCUSSION
Steve Easterly reviewed his video presentation. All agreed that they had viewed this material.
Steve gave an oral summary of this report. Mainly centering on deer harvest – much of summary
surrounded the 9 day gun hunt. A decrease was seen. Metro zone was a very small decrease.
DISCUSSION Accepted
ACTION
DISCUSSION Dan read the Charter.
ACTION Motion by Steve Lenzner and 2nd by Henry Katz to accept minutes from last meeting – carried.
Reed read the meeting ettique document – all agreed.
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Steve Lenzner – question about what happens a year after a decrease – Steve E. not completely
sure, but he does normally see a bounce back.
Jeffrey Schuler – starting date for this years hunt – 3 days earlier this year.
Steve Lenzner – car/deer has been declining slowly – does this go into the harvest rate – Steve E –
yes this number is included in post season population.
Scott Umland – 1.5 does per buck – yes. Steve E. buck kill down and that is why this ratio is up.
Jeff Schuler – gave additional reason for buck kill being low – Acorn crop was very incredible – did
not have to move. Steve E. says yes this could be a factor.
Chronic Wasting Disease – 400 samples sought in 5 mile radius. Manitowoc will be more intensive this
year – 300 over next two years.
Karl Kuhn – how is sampling going? Steve E. did not have up to date info. Talked about surveillance
tags.
Fawn/doe ratio – summer observations. Operation Deer Watch – open to public. Gave particulars of
this program. Helps with post hunt population numbers. 13,300 deer – range given on graph.
“Credibility Interval”.
3. PUBLIC APPEARANCES/COMMENTS
COMMENTS
None to occur during conference call meetings. Public is asked to submit comments via the online
public feedback form that is available on the DNR website, keyword “CDAC”, from April 16-29, 2020.
Alyssa indicated there were several call ins from the public – these calls were muted and “listen only”.
4. 2020 DEER SEASON PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
DETERMINATION OF PRELIMINARY QUOTA AND HARVEST AUTHORIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Preliminary antlerless harvest quota and harvest authorization recommendation:
*If applicable
*Forest Zone portion of the County: *Farmland Zone portion of the County:
Quota: Quota:

Bonus harvest authorizations Bonus harvest authorizations
for purchase: for purchase:

DISCUSSION
Much discussion:
Henry Katz initiated conversation regarding providing one more free tag for Metro Zone.
Scott Umland mentioned that a good job was done of harvesting does – harvest was similar
in the metro zone to last years – believes people are getting used to this structure.
Steve Lenzner agreed and as this becomes more prevalent harvest numbers should
increase.
Henry Katz mentioned that the wording of the seasons/required clothing/dates, etc., were
somewhat confusing.
Scott Umland agreed with 2 metro tag idea.
5000
300
Private:
200
Public: Public:
Private:
3
Jeff Schuler indicated he had no objection to this, but mentioned that we are using only ½
of tags thus far.
Reed Kabelowsky asked to clarify that it was 2 + 2 (two farmland and two metro zone).
This was clarified by group.
Karl Kuhn had no objections.
Steve Easterly reminded the group of the Holiday Hunt + Extend Archery Season.
Jeffrey Schjuler mentioned that hardwood growth continues to get beat up pretty badly.
Bowhunters may be upset, but get extended hunt.
Steve Lenzner mentioned that it may interfere with small game hunter access.
Scott Umland mentioned issues with sports group reception of this in the past. Doe kill is
up so job is getting done. Issue with trappers too.
After Motion Discussion:
Karl Kuhn – daughter participated and it allows military to hunt. Would like to see it tried for
a year.
Reed Kabelowsky – commented that he participated in Sheboygan County w/ military Son
and enjoyed the hunt.
Henry Katz – brought up in past and got shot down during 2 week comment period.
Steve Lenzner – People getting confused with structure and regulations. Sports clubs have
brought this issue up. Steve not in favor of hunt.
Note: Committee all agreed to seek public
comment on the option of a Holiday
Hunt/Extended Bow Season. If public wants
this, we can revisit at next meeting.
Post tag/quota vote:
Members stated that we can revisit the Holiday Hunt issue at the next meeting.
ACTION
Motion by Henry Katz and 2nd by Scott Umland not to hold a holiday hunt.
Roll vote – 4/2 In favor of no holiday hunt = Henry Katz, Scott Umland, Tom Hermann,
Steve Lenzner. Dissenting = Karl Kuhn, Jeffrey Schuler.
Dan Cichantek asked the question – Does group intend to keep all quotas, tags, the same,
except that the group wanted 2 metro tags?
Committee gave individual confirmation to keep all quotas, tags, the same as last year with
2 farmland tags per license, but wanted to increase the metro zone tags given per license to
2 tags. All members gave verbal, recorded vote to support this tag arrangement, with no
dissents.
JUSTIFICATION
Further discussion:
Dan Cichantek asked question regarding possibility of Extended Bow Season without
Holiday Hunt.
Steve Easterly – A: Not presently available, but he will pass it up the chain of command.
Steve Lenzner asked if the CDAC’s will have input on the season structures that are being
considered.
Steve Easterly – A: These will be on Spring Hearing surveys – hopes that CDAC’s will be
at the table of discussion.
Scott Umland asked when the new season structures might take effect?
Dan Cichantek and Steve E. – A: Spring Hearing questions are advisory only and soonest
they may take affect would be 2023 or 2024ish.
Reed Kabelowsky asked if the committee supported Extended Bow only if it was an option.
Henry Katz – still effects other hunters and hunting opportunities.
Scott Umland – Landowners may close trails and interference with trapping and other
recreators.
Scott Umland – Metro hunt has extended season – when does it switch from gun to bow
only.
Dan Cichantek – A: At end of muzzleloader season – about Dec. 10ish.
Henry Katz – already extended in Metro Zone?
Dan Cichantek – A: Muzzleloader season is any weapon.
4
Steve Lenzner – brought up confusion issue – when camo v. orange
Please justify recommendations following review of county metric information and
stakeholder and public input. For example, “We based this recommendation on
increasing/decreasing/stable trends in __________ metric information and/or ____________
input we received from our stakeholders and the public.” Please be specific to reference the
information used to make the recommendation.
DETERMINATION OF ADDITIONAL SEASON OPTIONS, IF AVAILABLE, IN THE COUNTY
a. If zero quota (buck-only), CDAC can make Junior Antlerless harvest authorizations
invalid within the county.
 Junior antlerless harvest authorization invalid? Yes No
DISCUSSION No discussion regarding buck only status.
ACTION
JUSTIFICATION

b. If objective is Maintain or Decrease, CDAC may recommend antlerless-only for all
deer seasons.
 Antlerless-only season recommended: Yes No
DISCUSSION There was no discussion surrounding any use of antlerless season.
ACTION
JUSTIFICATION

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c. If county contains a Metro Subunit:
 Number of Metro antlerless harvest authorizations included per license: 2
 Number of Metro bonus harvest authorizations (for purchase):
Private Land: Public Land:
DISCUSSION Discussions in previous notes.
ACTION
Dan asked the question – Does group intent to keep all quotas, tags, the same, except that
the group wanted 2 metro tags?
Committee gave individual confirmation to keep all quotas, tags, the same as last year with
2 farmland tags per license, but wanted to increase the metro zone tags given per license to
2 tags. All members gave verbal, recorded vote to support this tag arrangement, with
no dissents.
JUSTIFICATION

FARMLAND ZONE DMUS ONLY FILL IN QUESTIONS D-F:

d. Number of Farmland Zone harvest authorizations per license: _2_______
DISCUSSION Discussions in previous notes.
ACTION
JUSTIFICATION

e. Include antlerless-only Dec. 24 – Jan. 1 “Holiday Hunt” for 2020 deer season structure
Yes No

DISCUSSION Discussions in previous notes.
ACTION
JUSTIFICATION

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f. Extend archery/crossbow seasons to January 31, 2021 (only if Holiday Hunt is
recommended)
Yes No

DISCUSSION Discussions in previous notes.
ACTION
JUSTIFICATION

5. DNR LIAISONS’ ASSESSMENTS OF THE PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS
DISCUSSION
Steve Easterly (Manitowoc County biologist): I agree with 2 per county and glad for
the increase in the metro. Also glad you’re having more discussion on the holiday
hunt and putting it to the public.
Jake Schroeder (Manitowoc County Forester): I support the recommendations of the
committee. What I’m seeing for browse combined with the historical regeneration
data suggests that trending towards a decrease in population is appropriate. The
CDAC is doing well to weigh the effectiveness and costs of different options.
Record the DNR Wildlife and Forestry Liaisons’ assessments of the CDAC
recommendations as they relate to anticipated outcomes. Please provide them with an
opportunity to write their assessment and submit it directly to the alternate chair to be
inserted into the notes on the day following the meeting.
6. COUNTY-SPECIFIC ISSUES/CONCERNS
DISCUSSION No discussion on this point.
ACTION None
7. COUNCIL MEMBER MATTERS
DISCUSSION
Jeffrey Schuler – Who was the person that caused switch to Woodland Dunes meeting venue?
Dan Cichantek A: I was responsible for change – closer to metro zone and it was offered free to
CDAC.
Jeffrey Schuler – Satisfied with this answer.
Dan Cichantek – May consider moving the meeting around over time.
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Henry Katz – Ag Committee would like future consideration to redesign Metro Zone borders to include
all areas east of I-43.
Karl Kuhn – DMAP – 1.5 years ago approached county regarding opening up County Parks to hunting
– initially met good reception then support waned. Would like this revisited.
Dan Cichantek – CDAC could possibly support this going forward.
Jake Schroeder – DNR Forestry – heavy browse seen in forests. Supports decreasing the heard.
Tree planting is seeing expenses to protect plantings.
ACTION None
8. FINAL MEETING INFORMATION
FINAL MEETING May 5,
2020 6:00PM Woodland Dunes Center
Date Meeting Time Meeting Location
9. ADJOURNMENT
ACTION Motion to adjourn at 7:03PM by Jeffrey Schuler and 2nd by Steve Lenzner – carried
Revised 1/13/2020