Most Northwest Wisconsin Counties See Strong Deer Harvest

Most Northwest Wisconsin counties saw a jump in the deer harvest for this year’s gun deer season, but still sit below the five year average.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the deer harvest across the state was up about 5% from 2023 after a slow opening weekend. DNR officials also reported an increase in the number of licenses issued this year compared to 2023.

According to the preliminary results of the nine day season, Dunn, Chippewa, Polk and Barron counties led the way in the harvest totals. Dunn County in particular had a total harvest of about 4,900 deer, about 300 higher than the 2023 total and over 100 higher than the five year average. Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties were the only other counties in the region to exceed the five year average for total harvest.

Among the Northwest Wisconsin counties, Douglas, Burnett, Polk, Barron, Rusk, Dunn, Chippewa, Pepin, and Eau Claire exceed their totals from the 2023 season. Bayfield, Ashland, Washburn, Sawyer, St. Croix, and Pierce Counties fell short of their 2023 totals, though their average harvest totals are typically not as high as the more successful counties this year.

The Northwest Wisconsin region also led the way in a resurgent bear hunt season this year marked by high hunter success rates.

In addition to the larger overall harvest, the Department of Natural Resources also reported this year’s gun deer hunt season was the safest in recorded state history, with only one nonfatal firearm-related hunting injury. The incident occurred in Vernon County on November 29th and an investigation is pending. The previous record was set in 2023 with just three nonfatal incidents. Officials credited continuing hunter education programs that have led to reduced hunting-related incidents for decades.