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Health & Fitness

Wisconsin's Gun Deer Season Approachs

It is the time of year thousands of hunters get out their blaze orange, climb up in tree stands, and wait for a prize winning buck to wander past.

Wisconsin’s 2013 gun deer season is November 23, through December 1. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that sales of hunting licenses are up two percent from last year; however, only half of the expected hunters have purchased their license.  650,000 hunting licenses are expected to be issued this year, up from 473,000 issued last year.

That means approximately 13,000 more people traveling around the state, purchasing supplies from local stores, eating at local restaurants, and increasing income for local businesses. Deer hunting economic impact estimates are over $1 billion for the badger state. At a time national unemployment remains frustratingly high and the economy trying to rebound, hunting provides a dependable boost to our state’s economy.

In addition, the deer hunt provides a critical means of controlling the deer population.  The DNR estimates the 2013 pre-hunt deer population to be 1.4 million, down from last year’s 1.5 million.  It is estimated 366,000 deer were harvested last year.  The deer harvest protects against deer-related farm damage, car accidents, and the spread of disease.

Hunting is a tradition shared by Wisconsinites for generations.  It brings families and friends together and in touch with our settler’s roots.

To facilitate locating hunting grounds, hunters may use a mapping tool to assist locating property open for hunting under the state’s Managed Forest Law. You may access this helpful information at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestLandowners/openToPublic.html

Best of luck to all hunters!  Stay warm during the projected one of the coldest opening days in history!

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