Wisconsin Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program (WDACP) (WDACP)

WDACP gives farmers help preventing damage and partial compensation when wild white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, Canada geese and turkeys damage agricultural crops. It is a state program run through participating counties. Enrolled farmers must allow public hunting of the damaging species and follow the recommended abatement.

• Must own the crops being damaged.

• Must control hunting access on each crop field and on all contiguous acres under the same ownership and control.

• Must allow public hunting during the open season for the species causing damage. Exception: a farmer with only a deer damage shooting permit does not have to allow public deer hunting, but gives up deer damage compensation.

• Must follow normal agricultural practices and may not charge any fee related to hunting the species causing damage.

• Farm must be in a participating county (all except Kenosha and Menominee).

Each claim has a $500 deductible and a $10,000 maximum. Crops must not be planted or manipulated to attract the eligible species. Enrollees issued deer shooting permits must meet the deer harvest objectives. Enrollees under the Managed Hunting Access option must keep a hunting log and provide parking. Failing any provision means no compensation that year or the next.

Published amounts: $500 Deductible per claim; $10,000 Maximum per claim.

File a complaint with the county, or the county's agent, within 14 days of the first damage each year. Follow the recommended abatement. Call 10 days before harvest (for each cutting and each crop or field) to schedule an appraisal. Then file a Wildlife Damage Claim (Form 2300-192) with the county contact.

Deadline text on the page: File a complaint with the county, or the county's agent, within 14 days of the first damage each year. Call the county, or the county's agent, 10 days prior to harvest to conduct an appraisal.