Deer kill up over opening weekend of gun season
Hunters registered 95,257 whitetailed deer over the opening weekend of the 2020 Wisconsin nine-day gun deer hunting season, a 2% increase over the same time last year, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the Department of Natural Resources.
The 2020 kill includes 49,025 bucks, 1.6% more than last year, and 46,232 antlerless deer, a 3% increase.
As usual, hunter reports of deer activity varied around the state, though most regions experienced excellent hunting conditions with cool temperatures, high visibility and low wind, according to the agency.
The regional harvest reports included 54,616 (26,424 bucks and 28,192 antlerless) in the central farmland, 24,027 (11,854 and 12,173) in the southern farmland, 13,585 (8,879 and 4,706) in the northern forest, and 3,029 (1,868 and 1,161) in the central forest.
The preliminary year-over-year registration figures represent a dip in the northern and central forests and an increase in the farmland zones.
The conditions, while very good, could have been improved by a coating of snow and colder temperatures in southern Wisconsin, according to the DNR. The snow increases hunters' ability to see and track deer, and sub-freezing temperatures could have firmed up wetter ground and allowed increased hunter access to some areas.
Hunters in the 2020 youth, archery and crossbow seasons all had registered substantially larger deer harvests over the last two months. Bow hunters have taken 17% more bucks and 17.5% more antlerless deer than in 2019, according to statewide data from the DNR.
A weather system dropped snow over much of Wisconsin on Tuesday, potentially improving conditions and opportunities for hunters to stay afield through the remaining season.
The DNR reported four hunting incidents over opening weekend, including one fatality.
The fatality occurred Sunday on Washington Island when Steven Hoogester, 65, of West Bend tripped while exiting his hunting blind with his shotgun and accidentally shot himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two of the other incidents occurred when hunters were shot during deer drives by other members of their hunting party.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Washburn County, a 62-year-old male was struck in the upper arm and face by a rifle round fired by a 19-yearold. The victim was taken by helicopter for medical treatment.
And at approximately 2:55 p.m. Saturday in Saint Croix County a 14-yearold male victim was struck in the left leg by a shotgun slug fired by a 27-year-old. The victim was taken to a hospital, treated and released.
The final non-fatal incident occurred about 1 p.m. Sunday in Adams County when a 40-year-old male was working the action of his pistol when it discharged into his left hand; he was treated at a local hospital.
Last year four non-fatal incidents were recorded for the entire nine-day season.
The gun deer season ends Sunday. Full-season data are expected to be released by the DNR on Dec. 1.