As Wisconsin’s gun deer season approaches, DNR says deer population has grown significantly

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – As Wisconsin’s gun deer hunt season approaches, the Department of Natural Resources estimates that the state’s deer population has grown significantly over the past 15 years. According to their data, the agency estimated that the state’s deer population after the hunting season was under 1 million as recently as 2009. After last year’s hunting season, the estimated deer population in the state was over 1.8 million.

While a higher population could bring more opportunities for hunters, ineffective population management can also lead to issues like an increase in deer-related crashes, damage to the overall ecosystem, or a rise in deer-related crop losses. According to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report, agency officials say dropping interest in hunting and a lack of effective regulations have contributed to the issue. Their data shows that hunters aged 60 and over make up the largest demographic group in the sport and those hunters are beginning to slow down or just outright retire.

DNR officials also cited the spread of chronic wasting disease as a driving factor in the decreasing interest, leading some hunters to stop using deer as a source of food.

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