Ask NOW: Has the city of Brookfield surveyed the white tail deer population this winter?

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NOW Photo by Peter Zuzga

An alert doe, and her oblivious fawn, scopes out the Brookfield area.

NOW Photo by Peter Zuzga

An alert doe, and her oblivious fawn, scopes out the Brookfield area.

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Issue: A reader wants to know how many deer might be frolicking in our backyards and throughout the city.

Status: I'm sure many readers have sipped their morning coffee, looked out the window and seen deer grazing in the backyard. It's easy to wonder how many there are in our area.

In 2011, Gov. Scott Walker issued an executive order for an "independent, objective review of Wisconsin's deer management practices." The $125,000 project was supervised by the Department of Administration and paid for with DNR funds.

The final report was released in June and offers 62 recommendations.

Wisconsin wildlife officials are planning a series of meetings this month, and asking the public to help shape a new management plan that could alternate how the DNR estimates deer population.

Here in Brookfield, I can't give you an exact number, but I can narrow it down. Bill Kolstad, director of parks, recreation and forestry, says the city annually monitors deer population from the sky. Helicopter surveillance shows that there are roughly 350 deer in the Brookfield and Elm Grove area. It's enough for the city to implement a reduction management program.

In 2001, the Common Council adopted several management recommendations from the city's Deer Task Force. Those strategies included public education and the use of trained, professional sharpshooters and trapping.

For more information about local deer herds, call the Deer Program Information line at (262) 796-6711.