DNR: Two fewer earn-a-buck zones in Wisconsin in 2008

MADISON, Wis. The DNR plans to present regulations to the Natural Resources Board this month that would remove eight zones in northwestern and central Wisconsin from the earn-a-buck program. The regulations would add six zones in southwestern Wisconsin, for an overall reduction of two.

The contentious program requires a hunter to kill an antlerless deer before taking a buck.

The state Department of Natural Resources says the program is needed to control a burgeoning deer herd. Hunters generally despise it because they have to pass up trophy bucks.