WISCONSIN — The number of deer hunters in Wisconsin has slightly decreased since 2022, according to preliminary data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Sales for gun, bow, crossbow, sports and conservation patron licenses were at 774,369 as of Sunday night at midnight. That’s down 0.61% from the same time last year.
About 65% of these licenses were sold online and 35% in person.
Deer registered by hunters are also down from 2022. During the opening weekend for the gun deer hunt, hunters registered 92,050 deer statewide. Last year, there were 103,623 registered during the same period, a decrease of 16%. It’s also 10% below the five-year average.
The DNR attributes a large part of the decrease to a decline in the antlerless deer harvest. Officials said that usually picks up in the second half of the season.
Of the deer registered in that opening weekend, there were 51,870 bucks, a 13% decreased from 2022.
Hunters have until 5 p.m. the day after their deer is recovered to register it. They have three options to do so:
- Online at gamereg.wi.gov
- By phone at 1-844-426-3734
- Electronically at a participating in-person registration station
The DNR also reported fewer firearm-involved incidents during opening weekend this year. Compared to last year, which had six incidents, this year there were only two, one in Forest County and one in Adams County.
The one in Forest County was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the foot as the person was adjusting their rifle sling.
The other, in Adams County, involved a 62-year-old male, who shot once at a dog, believing it was an antlerless deer. The woman walking the dog was shot in her abdomen and was transported by Med Flight for her injuries.
The DNR reminded all hunters to remember the TAB-K formula for firearms:
T - Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
A - Always point the muzzle in a safe direction
B - Be certain of your target, what’s before it and what’s beyond it
K - Keep your finger outside your trigger guard until you are safe to shoot