FITCHBURG – Registration and deer head collection stations are now set in the Department of Natural Resources 11-county South Central Region (SCR) as preparations continue for the 2003 gun deer season.
Again this year, there are three season frameworks in the SCR stemming from the DNR’s efforts to combat the discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in southern Wisconsin.
The traditional nine-day firearm season runs from Nov. 22 through Nov. 30 in Dodge and Jefferson Counties, part of Columbia County and most of Grant County. Hunters in these areas are reminded that all deer taken by firearm must be registered no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day after the season’s closure in the deer management unit (DMU) where killed or an adjoining unit if transported to the nearest registration station.
The gun deer season in the CWD Herd Reduction Zone (HRZ), which covers all or part of 14 DMUs and 15 counties, runs from Nov. 22 through Jan. 3 and has been enlarged from last year to include all of Richland County and most of Rock County. Hunters should refer to page 27 of the 2003 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet if they are unsure as to zone boundaries.
Meanwhile, the gun deer season opened Oct. 30 in the CWD Intensive Harvest (IHZ) and Disease Eradication (DEZ) Zones and also runs through Jan. 3.
The DEZ was established along section lines up to 4 ½ miles out from each CWD positive deer found. The IHZ is defined by major highways immediately surrounding the DEZ and serves as a hunting season boundary that closely corresponds to the DEZ, encompassing much of Iowa County, western Dane County, southern Sauk County and small sections of Columbia, Green and Richland Counties.
The IHZ was enlarged after six deer harvested last year outside but near the former DEZ tested positive for CWD.
Hunters in both the Intensive Harvest and Herd Reduction Zones must first shoot an antlerless deer before they can harvest a buck. Hunters are not limited to the number of antlerless deer or bucks they may harvest. For each antlerless deer registered, the hunter will receive a special CWD Buck Deer permit. Earn-a-buck permits may be used in either the gun or bow season.
All deer killed in the Herd Reduction Zone must be registered in the DMU of kill or an adjoining CWD unit no later than 5:00 p.m. the day after it was harvested. All deer killed in the Intensive Harvest Zone must be registered in the IHZ no later than 5:00 p.m. the day after it was harvested.
DNR has been operating four deer collection stations in the IHZ since Sept. 13 and is committed to sample for CWD any deer kept by hunters who harvest a whitetail by gun or bow in the IHZ and the DEZ.
“We will test any deer being kept by a hunter if requested. We will test all adult deer carcasses turned over to DNR for disposal, but we will not test fawns unless asked by the hunter,” noted Tom Howard, DNR wildlife biologist based at Dodgeville who oversees the agency’s daily registration and collection activities in the CWD zones.
The four IHZ/DEZ stations are at
- Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 STH 14, Arena,
- Eagle Mart Stop-N-Go, 8029 STH 151, Barneveld,
- Norslein’s Wood Works, 4738 STH 78, Black Earth,
- Lone Rock Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, one mile west of lone Rock on STH 14.
Operating hours at the four stations are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Hunter Assistance Needed to Obtain Samples
DNR will also be sampling adult deer – no fawns – Nov. 22-23 in areas of eight counties that are outside of the Intensive Harvest Zone to help the agency monitor and manage the disease and to find out if CWD is present anywhere else in southern Wisconsin’s deer herd. The counties are Columbia, Grant, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock and Sauk.
“We are asking hunters in those eight counties who harvest adult deer outside of the Intensive Harvest Zone during the opening weekend of the traditional gun season to bring their animal for sampling at the nearest CWD sample collection site,” said Mr. Howard.
“After opening weekend and once registered, adult deer, no fawns, harvested in the CWD Herd Reduction Zone can be taken to one of four sites in the CWD Intensive Harvest Zone where the heads will be removed for sampling and testing,” noted Mr. Howard.
Hunters should be prepared to provide DNR with information as to where the deer was harvested, preferably with the landowner’s name, address or at least the property’s fire number. The sampling is free and this year hunters can expect test results within several weeks.
Only adult deer from the HRZ will be sampled and the wildlife biologist reminds hunters that deer harvested in the HRZ will not be taken by DNR for disposal. Hunters should bring their deer in as soon as possible to assure a quality sample.
Below are the gun registration and collection stations in the SCR. Deer head collection (sampling) stations are in bold print. Collection stations outside of the IHZ will be open only on Nov. 22-23. Collection stations locations are subject to change. Hunters are strongly advised to call ahead before bringing their deer in for registration to verify hours of operation.
COLUMBIA COUNTY
- Cambria – The Dump, 105 W. Edgewater, 920-348-5733
- Fall River – Fall River Citgo, 722 S. Main St., 920-484-6161
- Lodi – Lodi One Stop, 107 Portage St., 608-592-2654
- Pardeeville – Pardeeville Sport Marine, W6209 STH 33, 608-429-3036
- Pardeeville – Ledlow’s Country Store, STH 22 & CTH CM, 608-429-3584
- Portage – Blystone Repair Service, 1201 West STH 33, 608-742-4228
- Portage – Mobil Express Travel Plaza, 2725 New Pinery Rd., 608-745-4391
- Poynette – Poynette BP Station, 306 Hwy. 51, 608-635-2164
- Rio – LR’s Place, 116 Lincoln Ave., 920-992-6029
- Wisconsin Dells – Interstate BP Station, 650 Frontage Road South, 608-254-7616
- Wyocena – Wyocena Bar, 110 S. Washington, 608-429-2361
DANE COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Belleville – Sugar River Sports, 479 STH 69, 424-6045
- Black Earth – Norslein’s Wood Works, 4738 STH 78, 220-7057 (Intensive Zone Station)
- Deansville – Nelson’s Crossing, 1152 Berlin Rd., 655-3059
- Madison – Dorn True Value, 1348 S. Midvale Blvd., 274-2511
- McFarland – BJ’s Roadside Inn, 2515 STH 51, 838-6252
- Oregon – JL Richard’s, 668 Janesville St., 835-9188
- Rockdale – Heather’s Rockdale Bar & Grill, 222 Water St. (CTH B), 423-3323
- Waunakee – Barb’s Taxidermy, 201 S. Klein Dr., 849-7756
- Waunakee – Waunakee Shell, 206 S. Century Ave., 849-4171
DODGE COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 920)
- Ashippun – Ralph’s Towing & Service, N602 Hwy. 67, 474-7474
- Beaver Dam – Citgo, 1112 Madison St., 887-9220
- Beaver Dam – Super America, 817 Park Ave., 885-6788
- Juneau – Casey’s General Store, 783 N. Main St., 386-9148
- Juneau – Mickingbird Hill, N4072 Hwy. 115, 349-8427
- Lebanon – Wally’s Sportsman’s Bar, N1749 Hwy. 109, 925-3752
- Lomira – Mid Pointe Mobil, 400 E. Avenue, 269-7799
- Mayville – Casey’s General Store, 783 N. Main St., 387-5741
- Randolph – Otter’s Inn, 179 Stark St., 326-4350
- Reeseville – Bob’s Amoco, 200 N. Main St., 927-5225
- Waupun – Holiday Food & Sport, 715 W. Main St., 324-4062
GRANT COUNTY (all phone nuners are in Area Code 608)
- Bloomington – Tom’s Tire & Tuneup, 994-2645
- Boscobel – Krachey’s Standard, 601 Elm St. (STH 61), 375-2660 (not registering Nov. 22-23)
- Boscobel – Wilson Nursery (DNR), 5350 STH 133 E, 375-4123
- Cassville – Amoco Station, 316 Denniston St., 725-5181
- Cassville – Whitetail Bluffs Camp & Resort, 8973 Irish Ridge Rd., 725-5577
- Castle Rock – Castle Rock Inn, 15040 Shemak Rd., 943-8525
- Cuba City – Rich’s Petro Stop, 200 N. Main, 744-2828
- Cuba City – Weber’s Processing, 724 N. Jackson St. (STH 80 N), 744-2159
- Dickeyville – Dickeyville Lumber & Hardware, 505 W. Main, 568-7528
- Fennimore – New Horizons Gas Station, 720-Lincoln Ave., 822-2045
- Lancaster – Angler’s Nook, 135 E. Maple St., 723-7709
- Livingston – Happy Hour Bar & Grill, 289 Center St., 943-8687
- Muscoda – Muscoda Mini-Mart, 102 N. Wisconsin Ave., 739-3733
- Patch Grove – New Horizon’s Corp., Hwy. 35, 994-2756
- Platteville – Jeff’s Mini-Mart, 820 Mason St. (at STH 81 W), 348-3647
- Woodman – Whistle Stop, 533-2200
GREEN COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Albany – County E Locker, N6833 CTH E, 862-1320
- Albany – River Bend Bar, N7298 CTH X, 862-3440
- Brodhead – Bluff View Park, W848 STH 11-81, 897-4373
- Brooklyn – Kounty Korners, 108 Hotel St., 455-9221
- Juda – Rackow Family Sausage, N1943 Schindler Rd., 325-4547
- Monroe – Friendly Inn, 1335 17th Ave., 325-3370
- Monroe – Martin’s Sport Shop, 1016 17th Ave., 325-3370
- Monticello – Francois Oil Company, STH 69, 938-2020
- Monticello – Zipper’s Inc., 135 N. Main St., 938-4004
- New Glarus – Ott Haus Pub & Grill, 406 2nd St., 527-2218
IOWA COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Arena – Heck’s Farm Market, 7266 STH 14, 225-4905 (Intensive Zone Station)
- Barneveld – Eagle Mart Stop-N-Go, 8029 STH 18/151, 220-8742 (Intensive Zone Station)
- Highland – Palan’s Outpost, Hwy. 80 & CTH BH, 623-2822
- Highland – Bootlegger’s, 545 N. Main St., 929-4814 (not registering Nov. 22-23)
- Hollandale – Murphy’s Log Cabin, 307 Main St., 967-2461
- Mineral Point – Five point Cheese & Liquor, 319 S. Commerce St., 987-3248
JEFFERSON COUNTY
- Fort Atkinson – What’s The Point Bar, W6950 Hwy. 12, 920-563-9992
- Hubbleton – Hubbleton Inn, W7049 Main St., 920-478-2031
- Jefferson – Capn’s Corner, N5196 Watertown Ave., 920-674-5782
- Lake Mills – Sportsman’s Pub, 129 N. Main St., 920-648-5061
- London – London Depot, W9696 E. Main St., 608-764-8415
- Palmyra – Palmyra True Value, 229 W. Main St., 262-495-2161
- Sullivan – Sullivan Saloon, 165 Main St., 262-593-8912
- Watertown – Ann’s Uptown Bar, 416 E. Main St., 920-261-9916
LAFAYETTE COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Argyle – Sorney’s Bar & Grill, 109 State St., 543-3606
- Belmont – Belmont Quick Trip, 355 Highland St. (Hwy. 151), 762-6277
- Blanchardville – 4 Seasons Resort, 18272 Lake Rd., 523-1543
- Blanchardville – Husie’s Bar, 211 S. Main St., 523-4085
- Darlington – Darlington Mini-Mart, Hwy. 23S-81W, 776-2877
- Darlington – Fayette Bar, 10990 CTH D, 776-2982
- Gratiot – Gratiot Fast Stop, 10360 Hwy. 11, 922-3381
- New Diggings – Anton’s General Store, 26320 CTH W, 965-4881
- Shullsburg – Neighbors Bar & Grill, 134 W. Water St., 965-3700
- South Wayne – Holverson Meat Processing, 103 Center St., 439-5339
RICHLAND COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Boaz – Boaz Country Store, 17190 Hwy. 14, 536-3730
- Cazenovia, Co-op Country Partners, 101 S. Hwy. 58, 983-2626
- Gotham – DJ’s Kwik Stop, STH 14/60, 683-7922
- Lone Rock – Lone Rock Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, one mile west of Lone Rock on STH 14, 220-3474 (Intensive Zone Station)
- Port Andrew – The Port, 14750 STH 60, 537-2676
- Richland Center – Richland Mobil Mart, 1001 STH 14, 647-5580
- Richland Center – Walsh’s Ace Hardware, 1525 Bohman Dr., 647-8920
- Rockbridge – Natural Bridge Store, 17520 STH 80, 647-4673
- Yuba – Tiny’s Bar, 22107 Main St., 528-4345
ROCK COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Beloit – Jans K Market, S11744 CTH K, 365-9717
- Beloit/Afton – Friendly Village Tavern, S5621 CTH D, 362-9732
- Clinton – Boxcar Pub, 108 Allen St., 676-1149 (Eradication Zone Station)
- Edgerton – Edgerton Fire Department, 621 N. Main St., 884-3326
- Evansville – Ringhand Meats, 603 E. Main St., 882-5025
- Indianford – Treps Bait & Tackle, W3506 CTH M, 884-6042
- Janesville – The Vinyard, 3439 Mt. Zion Ave., 752-3653
- Janesville – BBB’s Tap, N333 CTH E, 755-5880
- Milton – The Liquor Cabinet, 721 S. Janesville St., 868-7042
- Orfordville – Donna’s Gas & Grocery, 204 W. Brodhead St., 879-9074
SAUK COUNTY (all phone numbers are in Area Code 608)
- Baraboo – Viking Express II, 818 8th St., 356-6969
- Baraboo – Zim’s Inn, S4332B STH 12, 356-6305
- Hillpoint – Alive Look Taxidermy, 2772 E CTH N, 583-3243
- LaValle – Village Pump, Main St., 985-7517
- Leland – Stormy’s Bar, E7248 CTH C, 544-3091
- Merrimac – Lakeside Country Store, E12965 STH 78, 493-2019
- Plain – I-Diehl Tap, 530 Main St., 546-2323
- Reedsburg – Viking Express I, 1375 E. Main St., 524-3777
- Sauk City – Ace Hardware, 500 Water St., 643-2433