LITTLE ROCK, AR (AP) – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says catching hunters who dump deer carcasses is a priority this deer season.  The agency said Wednesday that hunters know the appropriate way to dispose of a carcass is to bury it. But too often hunters will dump deer remains, whole or stripped of meat, in waterways or on neighboring property.  Dumping wildlife carries stiff penalties, including fines, jail time and forfeiture of vehicles.  The agency says when a hunter kills a deer the first step is to tag it, then field dress it. If the hunter doesn’t want the meat, he or she can take it to a processor in the Hungers Feeding the Hungry program or give it to another person after completing the required paperwork.

Springfield – An investigation focused on the unlawful harvest of a 36-point non-typical deer scoring 261 5/8 and valued at $35,000 has resulted in charges against Illinois men. The three men were the center of an 11-month investigation by DNR and cited for numerous Wildlife Code violations, including the illegal take of a potential state-record whitetail deer. Each face charges through the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sangamon County State’s Attorneys Office.

Ducks Unlimited is pushing Congress to raise the price of the federal duck stamp from $15 to $25.  They point out that the price hasn’t been adjusted in over 20 years, and many factors such as inflation and land prices have risen substantially.  Consequently, they feel that the stamp price isn’t enough for effective conservation efforts.  DU spokespersons point out that proceeds from stamps are the single largest source of waterfowl conservation funds.

Madison, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin law requiring hunters in certain areas to kill an antlerless deer before they bag a buck would be repealed under a bill passed by the state Assembly on Tuesday.  The bill also generally prohibits any gun seasons ahead of the traditional November hunt, with some exceptions for youth, mentored and disabled hunts and in chronic wasting disease zones.  The bill passed on a bipartisan 64-33 vote. It previously passed the Senate and now heads to Gov. Scott Walker for his consideration.

North Dakota officials announced Tuesday they are suspending the sale of some remaining deer hunting licenses and offered refunds to the holders of 13,000 licenses that already have been sold after detecting epizootic hemorrhagic disease in many whitetails throughout the western portion of the state.   To date, at least 300 deaths have been linked to the disease, marking the state’s biggest outbreak since 2000.  Of particular concern is the whitetail population, as EHD is usually fatal to whitetails but not mule deer.  Combined with a brutal winter and spring floods, it could take years for the state’s herd to make a complete recovery.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s administration has picked a national expert to serve as Wisconsin’s deer czar.  Read here.