Other News: S708

Deer hunter forums to be held around state and on the Internet Everyone interested is encouraged to attend the meetings that cover deer management in areas where they hunt or live, but are also welcome to attend any of the meetings. MADISON – The deer hunting seasons might still be months away, but the Department of Natural Resources is already gearing up with a series of deer hunter forums in March. Anyone interested in the opportunity to discuss local deer management issues, hunting seasons, and any other deer topic is encouraged to attend. Wisconsin has long been known as one of the most publicly-driven deer management programs in the country. And in recent years, thousands of volunteers have gotten involved in deer research projects providing data to estimate the size of the herd and sharing personal observations about hunting success, season structure, and the herd itself. The March deer hunter forums will put the public in direct contact with the local biologist responsible for managing the local deer herd, and are intended to both share information about deer management and gather information from hunters about deer where they live, hunt or farm. The format of meetings will vary, but in many cases the local wildlife biologist will provide a brief presentation followed by a question and answer period. Some meetings may also have an open house format, allowing attendees to stop in anytime during the scheduled time. Everyone interested is encouraged to attend the meetings that cover deer management in areas where they hunt or live, but are also welcome to attend any of the meetings. If unable to attend a live forum, for the first time this year the public will be able to get unit-specific information and contribute feedback through the DNR website. Check the DNR home page for updates. Read more here: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Wallenfang, Big Game Ecologist (608) 261-7589 Bob Manwell (608) 264-9248 Area wildlife biologists listed for the meeting locations in the meeting calendar “American Idol” style deer and turkey calling competition at Milwaukee Sports Show Deer and turkey callers are invited to show their stuff in the Journal Sentinel Sports Show - Caller's Idol - Calling Contest presented by The Sportsman Channel. illustration courtesy i65Design+Media Deer and turkey callers are invited to show their stuff in the Journal Sentinel Sports Show Calling Contest presented by The Sportsman Channel. The contest will feature an "American Idol" format in which contestants will perform and interact with the judges. Calling skill, as well as creativity and entertainment value, will be rewarded. The contest will have deer and turkey categories. Contestants in the deer category will be evaluated on rattling and grunting. In the turkey category, contestants will be rated on typical hen calls and gobbling. Youth and adult divisions will be offered in both categories. Thirty adults and 10 youth will be chosen at random from applications received for each category. The 2012 Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs March 7-11 at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis. Preliminary rounds of the calling competition will be March 8 and 9. Finals will be March 10. First-place cash prize for adults is $500, second place is $200 and third place is $50. Youth prizes are $150 for first, $75 for second, $50 for third and $25 for fourth and fifth. Trophies and ribbons also will be awarded. Applications and rules are online at www.milwaukeesportsshow.com. The deadline to enter is March 1, 2012. Read more here: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Engel