The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported a successful nine-day deer hunting season during its recent Natural Resources Board meeting on December 11, 2024. Preliminary data indicates a slight increase in participation, with 791,023 deer hunting licenses sold, up from 788,697 in 2023. This year, hunters registered a total of 189,622 deer, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year.

The breakdown of the harvest includes 89,787 antlered deer and 99,835 antlerless deer, with antlered registrations rising by 3.6% and antlerless by 6.6%. Since the start of the bow and crossbow seasons, a total of 289,361 deer have been registered statewide, reflecting an 8.7% increase compared to 2023.

The DNR also highlighted that 2024 was the safest year for hunting incidents in the last decade, with only one nonfatal firearm-related incident reported. This incident involved a 14-year-old who was injured while hunting with his father. The DNR emphasized the importance of firearm safety as the hunting season continues into January 2025.

Looking ahead, the DNR will provide a more detailed presentation on the deer season after the conclusion of the 2024-2025 hunting season. The remaining hunting seasons include the muzzleloader season, which ends today, and the statewide antlerless-only hunt from December 12 to December 15, followed by a holiday antlerless-only hunt from December 24 to January 1 in select farmland zone counties.

As the holiday season approaches, the DNR encourages all hunters to prioritize safety and adhere to firearm safety rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable hunting experience.