Wildlife Damage Abatement & Claims Program
The Wildlife Damage Abatement & Claims Program (WDACP) was created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1983 to provide assistance to the “commercial” agricultural community. Bayfield County has implemented the program since 1987. The emphasis of the WDACP is on abatement (alleviation) of damage from deer, bear, turkey and geese through techniques such as: modification of agricultural practices, fencing, live trapping and relocation of bear, repellents, scare devices and wildlife population control through managed hunting. ABATEMENT: The wildlife damage program responds to dozens of program inquiries and damage complaints annually. For those people that meet program eligibility requirements, some choose to enroll and implement abatement measures. There are numerous requirements that program participants must meet. View the WDNR website at: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/genrules.htm for more information. The WDACP has annually funded a Deer Donation Program since 2000. Donated deer carcasses are processed free of charge to the hunter, and the ground venison is distributed to the needy. Check out the WDNR website for information on the donation program at: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/donation/mainindex.htm. In our 4-County area, there has been a wide variety of commercial crops being damaged by wildlife including corn, sunflowers, soybeans, buckwheat, forage (alfalfa, clover, etc.), apples, cherries, plums, strawberries, blueberries; carrots, beets, beans and other vegetables, cut flowers, apiaries, and livestock including cervid deer. CLAIMS: Program participants must call for damage appraisals at least 10 days prior to harvest to remain eligible for year-end wildlife damage claim reimbursements. Those that comply with the program requirements and have properly implemented the recommended abatement measures will have their claims approved by their respective county Land Conservation Committees and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. For more information on this program through the Land Conservation Department, contact Dave Schultz, Wildlife Damage Specialist at: 715-682-7187 or email: dschultz2@centurytel.net.
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