For the first time since 2000, the deer hunt schedule is up for public debate. Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha says that the last time changes to the hunting season structure were proposed, the response was overwhelming to leave it alone. Kratcha suspects that sentiment may be changing. This spring’s conservation congress is putting out a survey with six questions related to the schedule. Kratcha says that when Thanksgiving goes from early to late in the calendar the drop off in harvest rates is steep.

The hearings occur in April. Shortly, the survey questions will be available on the DNR website with voting possible online. Copies also will be available in physical form at DNR offices.