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Door County’s Whitefish Dunes Opens to Deer Hunters

This year, for the first time, Whitefish Dunes State Park will be open to deer hunting during Wisconsin’s regular gun deer season, Nov. 20 – 28. The park will not be open to hunting during any other early or late-season deer hunts.

While hunting enhances recreational opportunities in the parks, its primary objective is vegetative and resource management. DNR staff and other natural resources professionals agree that deer over-browsing is a serious problem at the park. Ongoing deer management is necessary to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Any attempts to promote forest regeneration will be ineffective until deer browsing is under control.

The park staff recommends that hunters review the “2010 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations” and “Whitefish Dunes’ Hunting Map” with park regulations prior to hunting. Hunting maps are available at the park office and on the park website (www.wiparks.net). Hunters are reminded to purchase vehicle admission stickers prior to hunting in the park.

Certain areas of the parks will be closed to hunting; however, regular park users will still be able to use the parks during the hunting season. Anyone using the park during the regular hunting season is encouraged to wear blaze orange as a safety precaution.

Also, the entire beach is now open to dogs, who must remain on a leash eight feet or less.

For more information call 920.823.2400 or visit dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/whitefish/.