Oh deer! Wild deer no longer allowed as pets

Erica Quinnies |

Time for walksies?
Time for walksies?

“Capturing wild animals is illegal in Wisconsin,” states the Associated Press in a recent article. “Since when?” you might ask. Are “deer pets” really a thing?

Well, in the past, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has let people keep deer penned while also paying fines, but state laws have changed. In a push by Governor Walker to eliminate the euthanization of wild deer, it will no longer be permissible for Wisconsin residents to cage the wild animal. With worries of privatizing and commercializing the state’s abundance of wild deer, the DNR board has confirmed that the capture of wild animals (raccoons, turkeys, furbearers, and wolves included) is and will remain illegal.

I gather that it’s back to venison jerky for the majority of us. And for our loving deer fans, perhaps it’s time to pull out the old pet rock.