Wisconsin deer hunters should find plenty of opportunities when the fall hunting season gets underway, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
DNR Deer Specialist Derek Johnson said deer populations remain strong across much of the state following another relatively mild winter.
“Right now our herd numbers are looking very strong throughout much of the state with a third mildish winter again for most of the state,” Johnson said. “Numbers and reproduction are looking good. Winter survival is looking good. We really expect, barring conditions during the season, things to look good as far as deer numbers out there.”
Johnson said hunters should pay close attention to food sources as the season progresses, including red oak acorn crops that can influence deer movement and activity.
As archery season opens, DNR officials are also emphasizing hunter safety, particularly when using tree stands.
Hunter Education Administrator Renee Thok said tree stand accidents remain one of the most preventable causes of hunting injuries.
“Always wear a full-body harness, also known as a fall arrest system,” Thok said. “Make sure to connect your tether line and keep your tether line short. The tether line is designed to keep you in your seat and not to catch you after you fall. Always have three points of contact while climbing into and out of your tree stand.”
The DNR is also reminding hunters to follow basic firearm and archery safety practices throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the agency is continuing efforts to monitor and track Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, in Wisconsin’s deer herd.
Herd Health Specialist Erin Larson said hunters statewide will have access to testing services during the season.
“So no matter where a hunter harvests a deer, you’ll be able to get it tested,” Larson said. “However, we do have priority areas that we are especially interested in getting additional samples from. So those priority areas are around newer detections of wild or farm-raised deer, primarily in the central and northern parts of the state.”
Hunters can locate testing sites and learn more about CWD monitoring through the DNR’s online mapping tools at dnr.wisconsin.gov.