The DNR says extending the gun deer season to 16 days allows hunters more flexibility while still allowing the DNR to control the size of the deer herd. But many hunters at a meeting in Crivitz Wednesday night say the DNR is aiming at the wrong target.

Dozens of hunters packed the Crivitz village hall...most had their sights set on delivering a clear message to the DNR.

Hunter Don Weinhart says "I don't think there are enough deer to warrant a sixteen-day hunt."

Fellow hunter Jim Delaruelle agrees. "People don't hunt now, after opening weekend you don't see any, you don't need to make it any longer."

This is the first of nearly a dozen public input sessions the DNR is holding to get hunter feedback on a proposal to extend the gun-deer season from nine days to a sixteen day hunt.

John Huff with the DNR says "it boils down to more more hunting opportunity for both archers and gun hunters."

While Huff admits many hunters are concerned about the lack of deer...he says the longer hunt is more ammunition in the DNR's arsenal to control the herd.

"We're not too concerned about pushing the deer herd too low with a longer season because we can control the harvest with permit availability."

Some hunters like Joe Kingsley like the idea of extending the hunt because it gives them more opportunity.

"You're going to kill a few hundred more but it's not going to be a total wipeout i don't believe."

But most hunters believe the DNR is camoflaging the real issue.

"I think the deer herd is below numbers and i think we need a few more deer to satisfy people."

The DNR still has an additional ten public hearings to hold and they say they will take all of the hunter feedback into account and say any changes they may make to hunting regulations won't take effect until the fall of 2010.