Wisconsin picks national expert to serve as deer czar

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has picked a national expert to serve as Wisconsin’s deer czar.

James C. Kroll will begin work immediately on a study of the Department of Natural Resources’ herd management practices. His preliminary report is due in March.

Walker promised during his campaign to appoint someone to review the DNR’s management techniques. Hunters have been complaining for years that the DNR’s population control strategies have devastated the state’s herd.

Kroll serves as director of the Institute for White-tailed Deer Management and Research at Stephen F. Austin State University. Walker’s administration describes Kroll as “the world’s foremost expert in modern deer herd management.”

DOA officials didn’t immediately return messages asking how much the state will pay Kroll.