MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Thursday that they are performing two surveys, Operation Deer Watch and the Game Bird Brood Survey, which both started statewide on Thursday. Local residents can become community scientists by participating in them.
“Wherever you are in Wisconsin, you can help the DNR manage wildlife by collecting data in your area,” said Paul Frater, DNR surveys coordinator, in the release. “Sightings can easily be submitted through our (ArcGIS) Survey123 app, and every submission increases our dataset and helps us understand how wildlife are doing throughout the state. The DNR encourages everyone interested in wildlife — from hunters and trappers to outdoor enthusiasts — to take part.”
According to the release, the surveys are designed to measure the reproductive status of deer and game birds, which is done by establishing the ratio of adults to juveniles in the population (example: fawn-to-doe ratio).
“The data from these surveys, along with harvest information, provide DNR scientists with the key elements needed to make knowledgeable management decisions for these species,” said the release.
Participants in the surveys do not need to register, just to report your observations using a mobile device and the free “ArcGIS Survey123” app from your phone’s app store, or by using the following link, tinyurl.com/336mry8t, to download the app.
“If in a vehicle, participants should only record sightings when their vehicle is stopped and not while driving,” said the release.
According to the release, participants in Operation Deer Watch should report the location, age, sex and number of deer seen from dawn to dusk between now and Sept. 30.
“This information helps to determine the fawn-to-doe ratio and, ultimately, deer population estimates,” said the release.
To learn more about Operation Deer Watch, visit the DNR website’s Operation Deer Watch webpage, at tinyurl.com/449y5c7s.
According to the release, participants in the Game Bird Brood Survey should report information about the types and numbers of game bird broods they observe between now and Aug. 31.
“This information is the basis for monitoring the reproduction of game birds for that breeding year,” said the release.