Wildlife Damage Program

DeerWisconsin Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program (WDACP) is funded by a $1 surcharge on most hunting licenses, $2 surcharge on Conservation Patron licenses and by the bonus deer permit fees. WDNR is responsible for managing the statewide WDACP. Counties can opt to administer the program, usually through the Land and Water Conservation Department. The WDNR reimburses counties for cost of administration and materials for abatement measures, with some federal cost sharing from USDA-Wildlife Service. The objective of the program is to provide the agricultural and commercial community with the abatement and compensation assistance which will allow growers to tolerate the presence of wildlife on their farms. This tolerance is crucial for wildlife, in that most wildlife live on private lands. This tolerance also impacts many other conservation and economic goals which landowners, counties, WDNR and USDA pursue. (Adapted from the WDACP Technical Manual Reference Handbook)

Wildlife Abatement Participants Information Website