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Northwoods Buck Harvest Up: Preliminary Numbers

Wisconsin DNR Erik Barber

The DNR's harvest numbers arehere.

More deer were taken during the recently concluded gun deer season in the Northwoods than the year before, even though statewide, fewer deer were taken.

DNR wildlife biologist Jeremy Holtz...

"....in the entire 9-day deer season we had over 26,000 antlered bucks harvested. We had a significant increase in antlerless deer harvested, (more than 15,000). We expected an increase because we had some units that went from a zero quota to a modest quota across the north...."

Holtz says county deer advisory councils were restrained in the antlerless deer harvest requests, with only Vilas county having a zero antlerless quota. Severe winters a few years ago severely impacted the northern herd.

Holtz says another season is impact the deer totals...

"....our archery take has really started to increase. When I was growing up archery was a fringe sport. It's become mainstream. With the addition of hunting opportunities plus crossbow use, it seems archery harvest has become a major factor in our overall deer management...."

More bucks were taken this year compared to last with the majority of the increase in the northern counties. The muzzleloader and four-day antlerless hunt seasons are scheduled.

Holtz says hunters also have increased the numbers of deer to be sampled for chronic wasting disease...

"....we definitely have increased participation from hunters. If people shoot a deer and want(a test) or if they shot one and it's still hanging, it's still viable they can contact the DNR and get their deer sampled. We have a sampling kiosk here in Rhinelander. A chest freezer near the front door with instructions on how to leave the head..."

Holtz says it only takes a few days to get your deer tested and results returned. while the samples are just coming in, he says so far no CWD has been confirmed here.

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