Wisconsin asks public to help survey deer herd

Wisconsin officials are asking for the public's help to survey the state's whitetail deer population.

The DNR will launch Operation Deer Watch this week – asking the public to report the number of deer they see from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

"This is a fun and useful opportunity for the public to be the daily eyes and ears for wildlife managers throughout Wisconsin," says Brian Dhuey, DNR surveys coordinator. "To become personally involved and committed to the well-being of Wisconsin's deer herd is a unique opportunity that should not be missed."

Here's more from a DNR news release:

During their assigned period, participants will record all bucks, does and fawns they see using an online tally sheet. Observations can be submitted at the same website.

In 2014, 14,000 randomly selected deer hunters received an invitation to participate in Operation Deer Watch. Those who were not selected to participate are encouraged to submit their observations and help provide insight into Wisconsin's deer herd.

This unique collaboration of data from the public, along with deer observations collected by DNR staff, provides valuable information regarding the reproductive status of Wisconsin's deer herd in 2014. The program first began in 2010 with more than 14,000 individual citizen observations logged.