deer hunting

Hunters with disabilities encouraged to sign up now for fall hunt

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 07/30/2024 - 3:36pm

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds eligible hunters hoping to participate in the gun deer hunt for those with disabilities to contact and confirm a location with a hunt landowner sponsor before Sept. 15.

Thousands of acres of land are available for this year’s hunt, which will take place Oct. 5-13. Hunters should contact sponsors directly to participate in the 2024 hunt.

Some properties can accommodate more hunters than others, so hunters are advised to contact potential sponsors as early as possible to determine availability.

DNR sets 2024 deer season framework and harvest goals

Published by admin on Tue, 07/16/2024 - 10:55am

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recetnly announced the deer harvest quotas and framework for the 2024 Wisconsin deer hunting season.

The statewide antlerless quota for the 2024 season is 272,837 deer, with 245,245 total bonus antlerless harvest authorizations available for purchase across the state. These authorizations are in addition to the free antlerless harvest authorizations issued in farmland zones, which are not reflected in this total.

Deer gun harvest numbers up across state

Published by admin on Fri, 12/02/2022 - 12:40pm

The preliminary 2022 nine-day gun deer season harvest totals were up 14.4% across Wisconsin.

A total of 203,295 deer were harvested this year, compared to 177,667 a year ago. Of this year’s total, 104,898 deer taken were antlerless, while 98,397 were antlered.

Local meat processors stand ready to turn your deer into venison treats

Published by admin on Thu, 11/10/2022 - 7:56am

You’ve just shot a dandy buck or fat doe. Now the work begins!

After carefully field-dressing your deer and hauling it out so the delicious meat isn’t dragged through the brush, some of you will spend hours cutting up your own for the table and freezer.

The easier alternative is to head for a meat processor who will not only do a professional job cutting it into steaks, roasts and other cuts, but in many cases grind the burger into handy packages and even vacuum-seal your venison so it will stay fresher in your freezer.

New calibers join old favorites for more options

Published by admin on Thu, 11/10/2022 - 7:52am

Chances are good that if you grew up in a deer-hunting family, you’ve been given the chance to hunt with Granddad’s beat-up Winchester lever-action .30-30, Uncle Joe’s pump-action .308 with the taped stock or Dad’s Remington bolt-action .30-06.
Classic cartridges like these, the .270, the 7mm Remington Magnum, the .243 and others have been around for decades, but they continue to be the go-to choices for millions of deer hunters nationwide.

Essentials for the deer hunt: Gear to make a good hunt better

Published by admin on Thu, 09/15/2022 - 10:30am

Every fall is a new start and a fresh adventure for us deer hunters.

Whether you are a diehard bowhunter stalking a particular buck on your own land, a parent or grandparent taking a youngster on his or her first hunt, or a gun hunter who enjoys one of Wisconsin’s richest traditions at a deer camp or sharing the camaraderie of opening day with cherished friends, every second of our sacred sport is a blessing beyond measure.

Fitting young hunters to a bow, crossbow and rifle

Published by admin on Wed, 09/14/2022 - 9:00am

Not so many years ago, there was a hunting tradition to hand down Dad’s or Granddad’s rifle to the son or daughter joining the hunt. These full-size rifles, often lever-actions (which carry their own set of safety issues), would be an ill fit for a small body with shorter arms.

It’s finally time to hunt again

Published by admin on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 5:06pm

For as much joy I get out of preparing for the deer hunting season, I’m thrilled to say the preparation is over, and it’s time to hunt.

I’ve hunted deer since I was a little kid, tagging along with my dad and his friends before picking up a gun myself at age 12.

The extent of my deer hunting for a year — after I passed the youth hunt age restriction — was typically just the nine-day gun hunt in late November, with the occasional antlerless-only hunt sprinkled in should the first gun season have not gone as planned.

Bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations available Aug. 15

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 10:12am

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorizations will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15 online.

The authorizations can be purchased through the Go Wild license portal (gowild.wi.gov) and at license sales locations (dnr.wi.gov/permits/csrsp/licenseagents.aspx).

Deadline to submit comments for 2022 deer season extended to April 17

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 1:03pm

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds the public that the comment period for recommendations on the county-level antlerless harvest quotas and other key parts of the 2022 deer hunt has been extended to April 17.

The DNR welcomes comments from anyone interested in helping shape local deer herd management preferences during the online comment period.

Each county in Wisconsin has a County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) to provide input and recommendations to the department on deer management within their county.