State wildlife officials are proposing raising deer population goals in nearly four dozen management zones.

The changes come after hunters ripped the Department of Natural Resources last fall for overzealous herd control strategies they say led to an anemic hunt.

The DNR originally proposed raising population goals in 13 of the state's 131 zones for the 2010 hunts. The Assembly Fish and Wildlife Committee, feeling pressure from hunters, rejected the plan and ordered revisions.

The DNR's new plan calls for higher goals in 43 zones. The agency estimates the changes would boost the statewide population by about 92,000 deer by the time fall hunts begin.

The Natural Resources Board is expected to take up the revisions at a meeting next week in Madison.