Fencing of farm-raised deer; white-tailed deer
Wis. Stat. § 90.21
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Department” means the department of natural resources.
(b) “Farm-raised deer” has the meaning given in s. 95.001 (1) (ag).
(2) Requirements.
(a) No person may keep farm-raised deer if any of the farm-raised deer are white-tailed deer unless all of the farm-raised deer are contained in a fenced area for which the person holds a valid fence inspection certificate issued by the department under this section.
(b) The department may not issue a fence inspection certificate under this section for a fence that is used to contain farm-raised deer that are white-tailed deer unless the fence meets the requirements established by the department by rule under sub. (6).
(c) No person may apply for registration under s. 95.55 in order to keep farm-raised deer that are white-tailed deer without being first issued a fence inspection certificate under this section.
(d) Notwithstanding pars. (a) and (b), a person may keep farm-raised deer and the department shall issue a fence inspection certificate under this section if the fence complies with s. 95.55 (1) (c) 2.
(3) Fees.
(a) The fee for a fence inspection certificate issued under this section is $50 for a fenced area that is less than 80 acres in size and $100 for a fenced area that is 80 acres or more in size.
(b) If a person expands a fenced area that is less than 80 acres in size during the period that the fence inspection certificate issued under this section is valid so that the fenced area is 80 acres or more in size, the person shall apply for a new fence inspection certificate and pay an additional fee of $50.
(c) A fence inspection certificate issued under par. (a) or (b) shall be valid from the date of issuance until the 10th December 31 following the date of issuance.
(4) New operations; driving out of wild deer. A person who is starting an operation to keep farm-raised deer that are white-tailed deer and who is applying for a fence inspection certificate under this section shall make a reasonable effort to drive any wild white-tailed deer from the area to be fenced before the area is completely closed. No person may place any baiting material in attempt to attract white-tailed deer to remain in the fenced area. If the department issues a certificate under this section, the department shall determine whether any white-tailed deer remaining in the area after the area is completely closed will be killed or will be sold to the holder of the certificate. If the white-tailed deer are to be killed, the department shall determine how the deer will be killed. If the white-tailed deer are to be sold, the holder of the certificate shall pay the department the fair market value for each deer.
(5) Existing operations. A person who holds a license under s. 29.871, 1999 stats., on January 1, 2003, may continue to keep white-tailed deer, and the department shall automatically issue the person a fence inspection certificate under this section that will be valid during the period beginning on January 1, 2003, and ending on the 30th day after the effective date of the rules promulgated under sub. (6).
(6) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to establish requirements for fences for which fence inspection certificates are issued under this section. If the rules include provisions authorizing the placement of fences in navigable bodies of water, s. 30.12 does not apply to fences placed in compliance with these rules.
(7) Enforcement authority. If a fence fails to comply with the requirements established by rule under sub. (6), the department may issue an order directing the person who is required to maintain the fence to bring the fence into compliance within 10 days after the issuance of the order. If the person fails to comply with the order within 10 days of its issuance, the department may revoke the applicable fence inspection certificate.
(8) Penalties.
(a) Any person who violates this section, or a rule promulgated under this section, shall be subject to a forfeiture of not more than $200.
(b) In addition to or in lieu of the forfeiture specified in par. (a), a court may suspend a fence inspection certificate issued under this section, a registration issued under s. 95.55 that authorizes the defendant to keep farm-raised deer, or both, for a period of up to 3 years.
(c) The department may revoke any fence inspection certificate issued under this section to which any of the following applies:
1. The holder fails to comply with an order issued under sub. (7).
2. The department determines that the certificate was fraudulently procured, or erroneously issued.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/90.21Fetched: 10/7/2026