Deer registration down 18% on opening weekend
By Brian D. Bridgeford, Capital Newspapers
The number of deer registered by state game authorities in Sauk County is down about 18 after this weekend's opening of gun deer season, according to the Department of Natural Resources. But, spokesman thinks the reduction may not represent a fall in the number of deer taken by hunters.
On Monday, the DNR tallied 3,769 bucks and does taken by hunters Saturday and Sunday in Sauk County, according to figures released by Greg Matthews, DNR spokesman based in Fitchburg. It is about 18 percent less than the 4,612 deer registered after the opening weekend of 2007.
Hunters registered 3,543 deer in nearby Columbia County. That was down about five percent from 3,543 registered after last year's opening weekend.
Richland County's total was down eight percent, with 2,751 deer registered this year compared to 2,978 in 2007.
Statewide, hunters registered 133,828 deer, down 22 percent from 171,584 in 2007, according to the DNR.
Matthews said it is possible many more deer were shot than have been registered up to this point. Because the weather has been very cold and protects against meat spoiling, hunters may have felt able to leave a field dressed carcass hanging outdoors and delay having it registered, he said.
"We'll have to see how it goes at the end of the season," Matthews said.
DNR officials suggest there are many factors that would alter opening day registration numbers.
"Although this is a preliminary count, we may be seeing the result of a tough winter and several seasons designed to bring deer numbers down," said DNR deer biologist Keith Warnke in a statement released late Monday. DNR staff report that hunters were seeing fewer deer and hearing fewer shots this year.
"Hunters' efforts appear to be having a positive effect on lowering overpopulation of deer in many areas," Warnke said.
The traditional nine-day gun deer season continues through Sunday. A 10-day muzzleloader season goes from Dec. 1 - 10, followed by a antlerless only firearm season Dec. 11 - 14. The DNR also has a holiday firearms season from Christmas Eve through Jan. 4,
Bow hunters may be active between now and Jan. 4, according to the DNR. All hunters must follow earn-a-buck regulations except when antlerless-only rules are applied.
Opening weekend deer hunt registrations:
County 2007 2008 difference
Sauk 4,612 3,769 -18%
Columbia 3,740 3,543 -5%
Richland 2,978 2,751 -8%
Wisconsin 171,584 133,828 -22
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