The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeks public input on the state’s Beaver Management Plan. Comments can be submitted through various formats (an online comment tool, email or at any of the public listening sessions) through Jan. 31.

Wisconsin’s current Beaver Management Plan, adopted in 2015, was designed to guide and inform statewide beaver management practices and priorities for a period of 10 years.

As part of the management plan revision process, the DNR has convened the Beaver Management Plan Committee, which is comprised of representatives from tribal agencies, hunting and trapping organizations, conservation partners and Conservation Congress members, as well as technical staff from the DNR and federal agencies. Collaboration among this broad suite of partners will help ensure that the various interests and perspectives related to beavers are considered during plan development.

The new plan will guide the management of beavers in Wisconsin for the next 10 years. The DNR values public input and believes that it is essential for Wisconsinites to provide feedback for the committee to consider and discuss. 

An online public input form and supporting information are available on the DNR’s Beaver Management Plan webpage for those interested in submitting comments. Anyone interested in Wisconsin’s beaver management is encouraged to participate. 

Individuals may also submit comments via email to Shawn Rossler, DNR furbearer specialist, at Shawn.Rossler@wisconsin.gov. Comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. 

The final way people can submit feedback is at one of three public listening sessions. Two of the listening sessions are in-person meetings on Jan. 14 and 21, and the third is a virtual session on Jan. 28. Full meeting details are below.

After the public input period, the Beaver Management Plan Committee will convene to review the feedback collected. The DNR will consider input from the public and the Beaver Management Plan committee when developing a first draft of the Beaver Management Plan.

Once ready, the draft plan will be made available for public review and comment. Feedback from that round of public input will then be reviewed, and the DNR will make any appropriate changes before presenting the draft plan to the Natural Resources Board for final approval.

More information, including the scheduling of the second public input period and consideration by the Natural Resources Board, will be announced as soon as it becomes available. 

Event Details

• Public listening session
  Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 6-8 p.m.
  Hayward Holiday Inn Express and Suites
  15586 County Road B
  Hayward, WI 54843
• Public listening session
  Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 6-8 p.m.
  Milford Hills
  W5670 French Road
  Johnson Creek, WI 53038
• Public listening session 
  Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6-8 p.m.
  Virtual Session via Zoom: Register online
  *Those interested in providing comments must register for this meeting in advance.