Opening weekend deer harvest declines

The number of deer harvested in Trempealeau County during the opening weekend of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun season saw a significant decrease this year.

Data released last week by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources showed that 1,885 deer were harvested on opening weekend, Nov. 20 and 21, 417 fewer than in 2021 and the fewest in more than a decade. 

The previous low for the past 10 years was 1,985 harvested in 2019. Part of the reason for lower numbers this year, a release sent by the DNR said, is windy conditions on Sunday. It also noted that visibility was lower due to the lack of snow. 

There were 884 antlered and 1,001 antlerless deer harvested in 2021, down from the 1,065 and 1,237 harvested in 2020. Over the past five years, the average number of deer harvested in Trempealeau County on opening weekend is 2,243, including 1,079 antlered and 1,164 antlerless. 

Trempealeau County wasn’t the only place where harvest numbers saw a decline. In total, 85,860 deer were harvested by gun and registered statewide during the opening weekend, compared to the 99,832 registered for the same period in 2020. A total of 47,529 bucks were registered on opening weekend, compared to 51,241 in 2020.

Jackson County was one of the few counties that had an increase with 368 deer harvested, compared to 297 last year. That was still lower than the five-year average of 411. Buffalo County had 181 fewer deer harvested in 2021 than in 2020 and about 500 fewer than the five-year average. 

The DNR also reported three hunting incidents — two in Door County and the other in Waukesha County — but no deaths on opening weekend. Two were accidental self-inflicted gunshot wounds — one to the hand, the other to the leg. The third incident happened in Sturgeon Bay when a 45-year-old male was hunting from his residence when he shot at a deer. He attempted to unload his firearm, at which time it discharged inside the house and struck a 10-year-old. The victim was transported to the hospital and treated. 

Wisconsin’s 10-year average is approximately six hunting incidents for the nine-day gun deer hunt. The decline, according to the DNR, in incidents is the direct result of hunter safety education given by Wisconsin’s volunteer instructors and conservation wardens.