MADISON, Wis. -- The state Department of Natural Resources is looking for public input on how to replace the earn-a-buck program and still control the state's deer herd.

Officials said that one proposal is to extend the gun deer hunt from nine to 16 days.

"One of the alternatives to earn-a-buck would be to lengthen and start earlier, so gun hunters have more opportunity at the deer during the deer's most active time of the year," said DNR spokesman Bob Manwell.

During a hearing on Wednesday night, hunters, landowners and other concerned citizens packed the Lussier Family Heritage Center to give their opinion on extending gun season.

"One size doesn't fit all," said Dale Maas, of Fox Lake. "We need to be creative, but I don't think we're going in the right direction. And I think we need more options."

Earn-A-Buck required hunters to shoot a doe before bagging a buck. The program was unpopular and hunters got the DNR to discontinue it.

Any new changes to the deer hunting season wouldn't happen until 2010, officials said.

More public hearings are scheduled for this month, including Oct. 26 in Appleton and Eau Claire. If you can't attend, you can comment online through the DNR's web site.