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White Deer As a Tourist Draw? Unanimously Affirmative!

White Deer As a Tourist Draw? Unanimously Affirmative!
April 9, 2014

This outstanding letter was sent to the DNR in October when the public was asked to provide input on the Deer Trustee Report Proposals, which included a resolution to reinstate protection of white deer in CWD zones.  B. Fuller from Madison writes:

Every year my family travels to Vilas Count (and surrounding areas) to take in the spectacular wildlife that Northern Wisconsin has to offer.  We even go so far as to search for lodging in specific areas where the white deer can be seen and, with some patience, photographed.

I took the time to conduct an informal survey of local residents and business owners (Vilas and Iron County areas).  When asked whether they viewed the White and Albino Deer populations as being a significant draw to tourism in their community, the responses were almost unanimously affirmative.

On any given summer night, for example, one can see lines of cars driving slowly down specific roads in the Boulder Junction area with cameras at the ready.  The license plates of these vehicles are from many different states.  The effect in terms of tourism revenue is clear, even if not empirically analyzed.

Unfortunately, the local population of white deer in most areas there has decreased due to cars, poachers, and some wolf kills, as reported by local residents in Vilas and Iron Counties, as well as from just over the border in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

While certain causes of death of these rare animals are natural or do not have clear avenues for reduction, the hunting and poaching of them is indeed controllable.  The costs associated with protecting white and albino deer seem minimal.  The costs and effect of NOT protecting them is considerable.

Conservatively, the numbers of white deer in the CWD zone are placed at 1 in 20,000.  The possibility of localized herds being completely wiped out is significant if the harvest of these few animals continues.

I would respectfully urge the Wisconsin DNR and members of the DTR Action Teams to consider placing ALL White and Albino Deer under legal protection status.