Whether you`re new to hunting or preparing for your fiftieth season, Wisconsin has everything you need for a good hunt and unforgettable memories in the deer forests. Piebald or partially white deer are not protected in Wisconsin, and the white deer law unfortunately does not distinguish between piebalds with generally mixed brown and white skin and all-white deer that have only a small brown spot (see video and photo at the top of the homepage). Oklahoma had „protection” for white and albino deer from 1998 to 2012. The law required a hunter to obtain permission from the state director of wildlife before shooting a white deer. The hunters argued that this was unnecessary legislation, since permission was still granted. However, it probably prevented impulsive killings, and the very existence of the law gave the white deer a certain status. The white male shot near Leland had a half-dollar-sized brown spot on its side and would have been legal outside the CWD area. This is a very technical demarcation that should not qualify an otherwise all-white animal for hunting. When it comes to breeding, Piebalds also carry white genes, so their loss represents a further reduction of white genes throughout the herd. Hunters can also apply for a free antlerless deer hunting permit or purchase a antlerless deer harvesting permit. These options are only available in certain counties. This loophole in the law led to the needless death of some deer of local value that were otherwise pure white.

Proponents of white deer are still working to expand the legal definition of protected deer to predominantly white deer. For more information on deer population trends and statistics, visit the Deer Management page. There was nothing illegal about Saturday`s shooting in Leland, about 15 miles northwest of Sauk City. White and albino deer are not protected in areas of chronic wasting, and this deer was not even a true albino because it had a dark spot on its hindquarters. In areas of farmland, additional harvest permits (bonuses) for antlerless deer will be available for purchase from August 15. Amy Sprecher and MaLenna Smith, who live near Leland in Sauk County, are part of the group Protect the Rare White Deer, which is trying to fend off hunting for white deer and albinos. The group was formed after a hunter shot a white male near Leland in 2012. Although Wisconsin does not allow the harvesting of true albino or leucistic deer (all white but without pink eyes), some comments referred to brown markings on the hind leg and head of the male in the photo. White-tailed deer hunting season began Saturday and runs through Nov. 29.

Several comments about the sheriff`s office position were about hunting and whether that money is fair game. In Wisconsin, illegally shooting a white or albino deer (at least in 2011) would result in a $303.30 fine and the deer being returned to the state. Illinois is not as lenient: killing a white deer is a Class B offense, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 or 180 days in jail, with confiscation of the deer. In Michigan, before protection was lifted in 2009, penalties for killing a white deer were even higher: fines ranging from $200 to $1,000, payment of the deer`s estimated value, and loss of hunting privileges for three years. One of the main comments reads: „It`s really great to see. I hope any hunter who sees this doesn`t shoot it. It`s so much more beautiful alive than on your wall. Among other things, voters also supported the implementation of best management practices recommended by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for chronic wasting disease, a deadly deer disease that affects 57 Wisconsin counties. These practices include limiting the movement of live animals, carcasses and deer concentrations.

Last year, a hunter in Wisconsin shot an albino deer and then surrendered, claiming he shot after seeing only the brown of the deer`s head before realizing the rest of the animal was white. Since white deer are already extremely rare and protected by law in neighboring states (Illinois and Iowa), they represent both a highly desirable target and a financial incentive. The hunter of the whitebuck trophy shot this year was looking for sports stores that could buy the mount. The shops were not willing to pay as much as the hunter hoped, but he was able to sell the deer. The mere thought that a white deer is valuable for sale could be devastating for the rest of the population. A white deer stands with a white-tailed deer near Seneca Falls, New York. Devin Kennedy CC BY-NC 2.0 „It has nothing to do with the biology or management of the deer herd,” Pritzl said. „It`s a recognition that people recognize the uniqueness of white deer from a cultural perspective and feel it`s something that needs to be protected.” „An amazing sight here in Vilas County, a nice albino dollar!” the agency wrote. „This majestic creature has been spotted in the greater Boulder Junction area.” In any case, deer are taboo, but that does not necessarily mean that it is safe. Hunting website Wide Open Spaces criticized the hunter`s reasoning, adding, „The remains of this deer were sent to a local taxidermist for display to help other local hunters understand the difference between albinos and typical white-tailed deer.” It is estimated that there are between 1.5 and 1.8 million deer throughout the state of Wisconsin. There are only a very small number of white deer, most of which live in the Boulder Junction area of northern Wisconsin.

The citizens` group, which advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources` policy panel, asked the public if it would support legalizing statewide white deer harvesting, which is currently illegal. Piebald deer that are white and have brown spots are legal to harvest. Wisconsin is nationally recognized as one of the nation`s premier white-tailed deer hunting states, boasting both an abundant herd and a proven reputation for producing some of the world`s largest males. With over seven million acres of land open to public hunting in a variety of habitats, you can have the experience that`s right for you. From hiking all day on a cool trail in the great Northwoods to the fertile river bottoms and farmland of the south. According to the Warden Wire (Wisconsin DNR/Bureau of Law Enforcement): „A deer that has brown hair, even if it is only a small spot, on any part of the body that is not part of the head, hooves or tarsal glands is not protected and can be harvested, tagged and registered by a hunter if he has a valid mark for that type of deer (deer or antlerless deer).” The tarsal glands are located inside the hind legs of a deer and the coloration of the deer in the photo is probably caused by spots of these glands. The pale brown markings on the male`s head could have been dirt or dried blood from the deer rubbing the velvet of his antlers. Despite these markings, the deer in the photo is protected, Sarah Hoye, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, told FTW Outdoors. Hunters can use any of their antlerless deer licences on agricultural land (Zone 2) included in their licence or purchase antlerless deer licences to hunt in a sub-unit of the metro by selecting the Deer Management Unit (DMU) where the sub-unit is located. The harvest permit is valid throughout the DMU, including sub-units of the metro. What happens if white deer are not protected? Dates and hours: View seasonal dates and shooting times.