With 600,000 to 700,000 hunters turning out annually at this time of the year, it's no wonder some school districts close down. The Janesville GM plant made headlines because so many of its employees requested time off for hunting. That is one reason why a north woods tavern was part of the Wisconsin portion of the National Folk Life Festival staged in front of the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. this summer. Deer-hunting traditions impact almost every family in this state. Here on the Sauk Prairie hunters spend thousands of dollars in the area from before bow season till after the gun season.
Hunters are part of Wisconsin's deer management program.
Many have long family traditions. Mike Gesicki was shopping for hunting supplies at Ace Sauk Prairie. He went with his father Leon, who also started hunting early with his father. One of Gesicki's most memorable moments was when his third son was born. He recalled her words one day as he followed his boys up a steep trail.