Posted Friday, July 13, 2012 --- 6:15 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin Conservation Congress' leader is praising a new report calling for far-reaching changes to the state's deer hunting policies.

Gov. Scott Walker's administration hired Texas researcher James Kroll to study the state Department of Natural Resources' deer management practices. Kroll released a report this week with dozens of recommendations, including doing away with population estimates in individual management zones and involving the congress in local deer management decisions.

The congress is a group of influential sportsmen who advise the DNR on policy. Congress Chairman Rob Bohmann says Kroll's report offers great suggestions, particularly the recommendation calling for the congress to be more involved at the local level.

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp has said it will take several weeks to review the entire report.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.