DNR Says Switch To Paperless Deer Kill Registration Has Been Smooth

The Department of Natural Resources says the state’s new system of registering hunters’ deer kills electronically has been put to the test, and that hunters are adapting.

The requirement for hunters to pick up the phone or go online to register a kills marks the biggest change to the 2015 gun deer hunt. However, big game ecologist Kevin Wallenfang expects the transition away from physical registration at gas stations or taverns to go smoothly. He said since Sept. 12, hunters have registered more than 60,000 deer electronically.

“The vast majority of hunters that I’ve spoken with they find the system very easy,” said Wallenfang. “They like it, and they’re kind of asking the question, ‘Why did it take us this long to get to this point?’”

Wallenfang said hunters can get help if they bring their deer to one of 250 registration stations around the state, but that the deer data will still be recorded electronically.