Wisconsin DNR Releases Preliminary Harvest Numbers from Gun-Deer Season

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 -- 8:04 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released its preliminary harvest estimates from the recent nine-day gun-deer season, which wrapped up on Sunday.

A survey of deer registration stations and online submissions from across the state show that 188,712 deer were bagged during the annual hunt. That's up from the 160,766 killed last year, but lower than the 213,972 harvested during the 2018 season.  The DNR says 85,340 hunters were successful in their pursuit of a buck, which was up 12 percent from last year. The agency will release its final harvest numbers later in the winter.  While opening weekend saw mild temperatures throughout the state with some snow in the northwest, DNR staff across the state reported excellent hunting conditions and weather throughout the season except for a day or two of rain and wind midweek.

This year, 569,203 gun deer licenses were sold online or through retail outlets, compared to 564,664 last year.  Meanwhile, the season was considered mostly safe, despite nine firearm-involved accidental shootings and one fatality.  Wildlife officials say there are still other opportunities to hunt deer this year. The muzzleloader hunt is already underway for hunters holding unused gun buck and antlerless deer tags. There is also a statewide antlerless deer hunt December 10-13.

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