Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program
Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program supports Wisconsin farmers with wildlife damage prevention and partial compensation for agricultural losses from deer, elk, bears, geese and turkeys.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: November 1, 2026 (county administration applications) | Within 14 days of first damage each year (compensation complaints)
Funding Amounts: Partial damage compensation, up to $10,000 per claim; assistance with authorized damage-prevention costs
Summary: Helps Wisconsin farmers prevent eligible wildlife damage and recover part of their agricultural losses.
Key Information: Land must be in a participating county; Kenosha and Menominee counties do not currently participate.
Description
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) runs this program through participating counties to help farmers address agricultural damage from wild white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, Canada geese and turkeys. It offers damage-prevention assistance and partial compensation for eligible losses. Wildlife managers may also issue agricultural damage shooting permits for deer and, occasionally, bear, geese or turkeys.
Participating counties review requests for prevention assistance and investigate damage claims. The program covers specified agricultural crops and seedings, orchard trees, nursery stock, apiaries and livestock; it is separate from assistance for urban nuisance wildlife problems.
