The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has decided to scrap a helicopter program aimed at netting deer from the air after the aircraft experienced repeated mechanical problems and only captured about half of the deer they were hoping to tag

The DNR initially planned to begin using the helicopter in late January. Mechanical problems and poor flying weather delayed that until February 10th. The plan called for firing nets at deer from the helicopter, then transporting the deer to field stations to be studied, tagged with radio trackers, and released.

The DNR plans to continue capturing deer using ground traps.