More than 600,000 deer hunters embraced the excitement of another nine-day gun deer season in Wisconsin, and preliminary numbers show an increase in both deer registration numbers and license sales through the end of the nine-day season. With the end of another Wisconsin nine-day gun deer season, Gov. Scott Walker and Stepp have shared a video message<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVnLtBNWGE> with hunters and their families.
Preliminary harvest summary :
This year’s preliminary nine-day gun deer hunt registration figures indicate a total of 204,725 deer harvested during the nine-day season, compared to 199,583 in 2014. Since this is the first year using the GameReg system, department staff are verifying this preliminary data to make sure it is correct. It is possible that this number may change slightly following additional evaluation. “I’m pleased to see an increase in deer harvest numbers from last year,” said Bob Nack, DNR big game section chief. “Hunters experienced varying levels of success throughout the state and had an enjoyable time with family and friends.” A more specific registration breakdown will be available tomorrow – to view the current registration total and Wednesday’s update, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “weekly totals<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/deerharvest.html>. In 2015, 612,377 gun deer licenses were sold through the end of the nine-day gun deer season, compared to 608,711 in 2014. In total, 849,778 gun, archery and crossbow licenses (not including upgrades) licenses have been sold through the end of the nine-day gun deer season, compared to 835,583 (not including upgrades) in 2014. Through the end of the nine-day season, 23,870 first-time hunters (or those who have not hunted in the last 10 years) have taken advantage of the first-time gun deer buyer license, compared to 17,644 archery hunters. Deer license and tag sales will continue throughout the remaining hunting seasons. For a more detailed breakdown<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/documents/DeerSales.pdf> of this year’s license sales, search keyword “deer<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/deer.html>.”
Hunting Incidents
DNR investigated eight hunting incidents during the nine-day gun deer season: five non-fatal (Rock, Marathon, Jackson, Polk and Manitowoc) and three fatal (Columbia, Waushara and Marathon). The department expresses sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims of these tragic incidents. However, the trend of hunting incidents continues to go down. This is a result of safer hunters, hunter education, the volunteer instructor corps and outreach efforts covering four rules of firearm safety, blaze orange clothing, treestand safety practices, and hunters planning their hunt and then hunting their plan. More than 600,000 gun-deer hunting licenses were sold this season, with those hunters venturing to the field to enjoy a great tradition in Wisconsin. They included non-resident, resident and mentor hunters. Eight hunting incidents resulted in 1.31 incidents per 100,000 hunters. Wisconsin’s 10-year average is 1.36 incidents per 100,000 hunters. “As long as every hunter remembers and practices the Four Firearm Safety rules, hunting can and will get safer,” said Jon King, DNR conservation warden and hunter education administrator. Hunters are reminded of additional opportunities to hunt deer in Wisconsin after the close of the nine-day season. This year’s muzzleloader season is currently open through Dec. 9, and the late archery season is open through Jan. 3, 2016. A four-day antlerless-only hunt will take place Dec. 10-13 – any legal firearm, crossbow or archery equipment may be used during this hunt. The holiday hunt will not be offered in 2015. The gun deer season will remain open through Dec. 9 in metro sub-units, while archery hunting in these areas is open through Jan. 31. Hunters asked to participate in online Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wlsurvey.html> will remain active until all deer seasons have ended, and wildlife managers ask that hunters submit a report of what they saw during their time in the field. This information will provide valuable data used to improve population estimates for Wisconsin’s deer herd and other species. For additional information, search keywords “deer hunter wildlife<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wlsurvey.html>.”
