Hunters are counting down the days until the opener of Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season on Saturday, November 23rd. This is a good time to make sure that blaze orange clothing is in good condition and that firearms and other hunting equipment are in proper working order. Take the time to plan your hunt, and make sure you have obtained permission if you intend to hunt on private lands. State wildlife managers are wondering if hunters will succeed in taking enough deer to help reduce the population in those parts of the state where deer numbers are well above established goals, mainly southern farmland units. If hunters don't harvest enough deer, the Farmland Deer Committee recommendations for 1997 may include continuing the Zone T antlerless hunt and possibly adding more management units to that zone.
Deer are in the peak of the rut.
The bucks are on the move constantly, chasing does day and night. Bow hunters have been out in force and are having good success. Along with the increased whitetail activity comes the increased risk of vehicle-deer collisions on the highways. Waterfowl hunters are having more limited success as smaller lakes, ponds and backwaters freeze over. Ducks are concentrated along open stretches on lakes and rivers.