MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — The gun deer season is just weeks away, and hunters and DNR officials alike are getting ready.
Around 876,000 hunters take to the woods on average every year for gun deer season.
“Whether it’s the state fair, regular season attendance at Lambeau Field, or Summerfest, gun deer season leads them all,” said DNR Wildlife Management Program Director Eric Lobner.
Hunters are encouraged this year to have their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease. Amanda Kamps is a DNR Wildlife Health Specialist and says it’s important to tracking the spread of the disease.
“It provides information about the distribution of the disease in the state,” said Kamps. “Equally important are those not detected results just as much as those positive results.”
CWD collection kiosks are spread across the state.
The DNR’s Jeff Pritzl says he expects a good hunt.
“I’d say all the arrows right now are pointing in the right direction,” said Pritzl. “If we look at the current harvest that’s happening in the archery and crossbow seasons, our buck harvest is running at or ahead of the 5 year average.”
The eight-day gun deer season is set to begin on November 20th.
