Wisconsin's 164th nine-day deer hunting season sees increase in license sales and harvest
MADISON - 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.
Message of thanks from Gov. Scott Walker and Secretary Stepp
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.
"I would like to thank each and every hunter for another great nine-day deer
hunt - we at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources rely upon your
feedback and support," said DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. "I've heard some
great stories from the field so far, and I want to remind hunters that
opportunities remain to continue your hunt and enjoy more time with family
and friends."
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>." To access harvest
statistics from previous years, search keywords "harvest
summary<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/harvest/deerharvest.html>."
In 2015, preliminary nine-day harvest numbers were collected through the
GameReg system. Hunters were required to register their deer by 5 p.m. the
day after harvest, as opposed to 5 p.m. the day after the nine-day season
closed in years past.
DNR customer service staff received positive feedback from hunters
throughout the nine-day season as they learned to use the new system.
Hunters who forgot to register their deer are required to do so, even if
beyond the 5 p.m. daily deadline.
For more information, search keywords "electronic
registration<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Hunt/ereg.html>."
2015 license sales
Payton Specht harvested his first deer Nov. 22 on his 11th
birthday in Price County.
Photo Credit: WDNR
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.
Additional deer hunting opportunities continue through December
Chelsey Bormann harvested her first deer, a 10-point buck with a 21" spread, on opening
weekend in Dane County.
Photo Credit: WDNR
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>."
County Deer Advisory Councils
As a reminder, those interested in providing important feedback regarding
deer management are encouraged to participate in County Deer Advisory
Councils. These councils use a number of resources, including deer
population data, harvest data, public input and other information to provide
recommendations regarding deer management in their county.
Additional information regarding CDAC recommendations, agendas and
membership can be found at keyword "CDAC" - any additional questions can
also be sent to
DNRCDACWebMail@Wisconsin.gov<mailto:DNRCDACWebMail@Wisconsin.gov>.
While counting down to next year's hunt...
In four words or less, show us your favorite fall and winter traditions!
Videos should contain no spoken words and be less than 15 seconds long and
pictures will need your words included.
For a better idea of what your video or photo may look like, check out this
video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhNo1a7mH84&list=UUXxmfKh4WwJuw0eCEC6L
Q9w> featuring DNR staff and their families. Entries will be reviewed by
department staff and considered for submission in a music video which will
be made available for public view. To enter, simply fill out this
form<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/words.html> and upload your photo or
video. Enter as many times as you'd like!
For more information and a look at pictures submitted from the field, visit
the department's facebook
page<https://www.facebook.com/WIDNR/app_403834839671843?ref=page_internal>
and select "Your Tradition, Your Words" under the "more" tab or visit
dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "your
traditions<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/words.html>."
Those hunters who harvested their first deer this season are also reminded
to fill out a first deer certificate<http://dnr.wi.gov/fhc> and commemorate
a successful hunt. A printable certificate will be sent to the email address
provided.