Wisconsin Deer Kill Down 25 percent?

[Jackson Marsh]

Still believe there is a record number of deer in the state?

No

[greenhorndave]

So is it just reduced deer herd numbers? Reduced hunters? Deer just not in the usual places people find them? Weather was weird.

[mag1]

I remember the days of 640k kills if not more. Record deer herd my buttttt. It seemed like maybe the herd was fianally coming back some, but deer sightings are still no where near what it was compared to the 80/90’s.

[Jmitch]

Still believe there is a record number of deer in the state?

Honestly I have no idea. Think it's the same as any year really. Some areas have lots of deer and some areas dont. I do believe the dnr is in a tough spot. Seems like whatever they do or say is always going to be wrong. I understand why they try and get people excited just think maybe it backfires.

As far as the tagging discussion people always argue that it's easier to poach now but you also need to admit its much easier to be legal than it used to be. Not really sure how much of a difference that really makes to be honest.

And I guess it depends where you are as a taxidermist. Mine is busier than ever and has completely stopped taking new clients last I talked to him. Repeat and some referrals only. He turns people away and ups his price every year. Again depends where you are in the state. I can totally see why a northwoods taxidermist would be losing business tho

[Jmitch]

And another thing to think about is how many more deer are getting killed during bow season now that we have crossbows? Seems to me that I remember that buck kill has been higher during archery than it use to be since they were included.

[Jonny]

And another thing to think about is how many more deer are getting killed during bow season now that we have crossbows? Seems to me that I remember that buck kill has been higher during archery than it use to be since they were included.

I’m pretty sure total harvest is very low as well. Last I heard it’s the lowest since the early 80’s

[Robert]

I do agree deer numbers are not what the DNR says they are, but I also think a part of the harvest being low is contributed to the fact of all the standing corn throughout the state. It's been a late harvest, and the deer have food and cover in there, and with how wet its has been I'm sure there are puddles in there for water. Deer have no reason to leave standing corn at this point. Just my 2 cents.

[matt1336]

I don’t think people kill deer like they use to. The early 2000s taught us a lesson. The herd is fragile and can’t sustain killing does with little or no limits. A lot of people, not all lay off the trigger more than they use to.
I’m not saying my digger is the sole reason for the reduced numbers, but I do believe it could have something to do with it.

[Tim H]

So since there is late standing corn in a lot of the state, would this indicate that there could be a great late season for some hunters in those areas?

[BorealBushMN]

Hasn't a good portion of northern/central WI experienced above average snowfall the last few years? I watch the local news stations out of Duluth, and they cover the weather for a good portion of NW/N Central WI and it seems those areas have taken the brunt of a lot of big snow events over the last few years. I know all the other factors noted in this thread are part of the decline, but I believe hard winters on top of all the other factors, really knock deer numbers down. And so far, it seems like we're all in for yet another back-breaker again this year..... gotta love the north country!

[greenhorndave]

So since there is late standing corn in a lot of the state, would this indicate that there could be a great late season for some hunters in those areas?

As someone who lives in such a part of the state and who has yet to tag out... I sure hope so.

[Jackson Marsh]

I don’t think people kill deer like they use to. The early 2000s taught us a lesson. The herd is fragile and can’t sustain killing does with little or no limits. A lot of people, not all lay off the trigger more than they use to.
I’m not saying my digger is the sole reason for the reduced numbers, but I do believe it could have something to do with it.

That's a really good point. I have areas I hunt where I am reluctant to shoot a doe on, mainly because I don't see a ton of deer there. Other properties I would have no problem to shoot a doe off of.

Just because I have 4 or 5 doe tags doesn't mean I need to fill them.

[Tim H]

Hasn't a good portion of northern/central WI experienced above average snowfall the last few years? I watch the local news stations out of Duluth, and they cover the weather for a good portion of NW/N Central WI and it seems those areas have taken the brunt of a lot of big snow events over the last few years. I know all the other factors noted in this thread are part of the decline, but I believe hard winters on top of all the other factors, really knock deer numbers down. And so far, it seems like we're all in for yet another back-breaker again this year..... gotta love the north country!

The deep snow in northcentral WI is early this year versus the last 2 seasons. The deer can get through it but it's tough when it's this early. They expend more energy and is hard since our winters are so long. The strong will probably make it, but the younger and weak ones will struggle and probably die. They'll die from starvation or predators.

Last year we had a record snowfall total in February 2019. I want to say it was over 6 feet in a month. I give any creature that can survive that type of winter a great amount of respect. The snow was caving in peoples roofs and barns/sheds were collapsing because of the amounts. A lot of houses were experiencing ice dams which caused a lot of leaking.

2 seasons ago I believe it was very cold the majority of the winter but the killer was getting 30 plus inches of snow in April. Just when we thought we were over it, mother nature said otherwise. Imagine an animal on the edge of starvation and last fat reserves waiting for spring and then here comes another 30 inches of snow in 2 days. That was horrible.

Overall it's harsh living in the north for all the critters and a good example of only the strong survive.

[Findian]

Yup all that standing corn left up in the northern big woods sure put a slow down on the deer.


In all seriousness winters kill deer one way or the other.


Plus side is that this year we have alot of 3.5 year old bucks running around. not many 2.5 or 1.5 old running around up here. Very few 4.5 plus running around. I did manage to shoot a buck that was at least 6.5 year old could of been 7.5 year not sure but I passed him in 2015 when I thought he was a 3.5 year old.


A lot of the old bucks died last winter I would say I knew of about 15 only two made it threw the 2018/19 winter.

[Challenger]

I don’t think people kill deer like they use to. The early 2000s taught us a lesson. The herd is fragile and can’t sustain killing does with little or no limits. A lot of people, not all lay off the trigger more than they use to.
I’m not saying my digger is the sole reason for the reduced numbers, but I do believe it could have something to do with it.

That's a really good point. I have areas I hunt where I am reluctant to shoot a doe on, mainly because I don't see a ton of deer there. Other properties I would have no problem to shoot a doe off of.

Just because I have 4 or 5 doe tags doesn't mean I need to fill them.

Tell that to the hmongs that hunt the public land around here with crossguns. I know of 6 that have killed at least 5 deer, mostly this years fawns and does. I asked a couple of them if they really have to kill everything that walks and they said "we have to fill our freezers" and then one said "wait 'til gun season". I don't gun hunt but my buddy next door gun hunts the same property and he said there were at least 20 of them at the parking area with a fire going as if it were thier home. This is a piece of property that's only 430 acres.