DNR Encourages the Public to Apply for a Seat on a Citizen Deer Advisory Council

Thursday, November 12th, 2026 -- 9:01 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages members of the public with a passion for conservation and deer management to apply for a seat on a Citizen Deer Advisory Council (CDAC).

Each Citizen Deer Advisory Council includes representatives from the hunting community, as well as from a variety of stakeholder groups with interest in hunting and deer management.

The application period for each deer management unit (DMU) is open until Nov. 30, 2026. Council members meet annually to review deer management data, gather public input and provide recommendations to the DNR and the Natural Resources Board regarding deer management decisions in their DMU.

All CDAC seats, other than those that come from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, are available at this time. Any interested individuals, whether previously on a CDAC or not, must (re)apply during this recruitment.

Applicants must have experience or involvement with at least one of these seven stakeholder categories: agriculture, forestry, tourism, transportation, hunting/conservation organizations, Deer Management Assistance Program or local government.

"White-tailed deer are an iconic species in Wisconsin, bringing forward a variety of perspectives in how they should be managed," said Steve Burns, deer and elk specialist. "Public involvement through CDACs is the backbone of managing local deer populations."

"All council seats are open to new applicants. CDACs are provided an in-depth look at deer management issues and meet with DNR staff as representatives of their community. Those selected will serve for three years and, during that time, will reach out to the stakeholders they represent as they develop recommendations for the fall season framework each year."

Citizen Deer Advisory Councils were established in 2014 to provide an open venue to develop local, DMU-specific deer population objectives and herd management strategies through public involvement.

In doing so, council members review and consider a variety of metrics on deer herd trends, impacts to habitat and various human-deer interactions. For more information about the councils and to find the application, visit the DNR’s CDAC webpage.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.