Hunters Harvest Fewer Deer in this Year's Gun Hunt

Thursday, November 30th, 2023 -- 2:00 PM

(Raymond Neupert, WRN) Hunters harvested about 11 percent fewer deer during the gun hunt this year than the 5 year average.

Hunters harvested about 11 percent fewer deer during the gun hunt this year than the 5 year average. Department of Natural Resources wildlife supervisor Jeff Pritzl says it's part of the ebb and flow of how the deer hunt works. "Specifically, our buck harvest is down 14.7% from last year. But remember, last year, the buck harvest was up exactly 14.7%."

Pritzl says that's not a surprise to the agency given last year's harsh winter, especially in the Northwoods. "At least in that part of the state, there were probably fewer deer in the landscape than there were last year at this time."

Pritzl says last year's harsh winter likely contributed to the lowered harvest. "So, that's just part of that, that ebb and flow that we have, which is part of hunting."

The archery season is going well, and is down just 2 percent from last year. Wardens say there were only three shooting incidents during the gun hunt, and no one was killed.

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