November 19, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.
Deer season outlook promising in Northwoods
Deer season outlook promising in Northwoods
Hunters coming in to Hunters Headquarters in Woodruff have reported seeing many more deer in the woods than in the last six to seven years. With the rut starting to draw down right now, however, most believe it will be over by Saturday's gun opener.
There are mixed opinions as to how many hunters will be visiting the area, however. Bailie Strasburg at North Country Taxidermy said she was seeing a lot more people in the woods and, based off bow season numbers, she expects record numbers of hunters to be in the woods for the nine-day gun deer season this year.
Indeed, both hunting and fishing licenses have seen an increase this year as people look for ways to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. With large gatherings and indoor activities off the agenda for the foreseeable future, people have been looking for activities to keep themselves active and healthy. While there will certainly be some new hunters, those who have given it up in the past are returning to the sport, at least in some numbers.
Chuck Dicka from Hunter's Headquarters said he believes hunter numbers may be down this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic is prompting some hunters to stay closer to home. With fewer hunters in the woods, he said, that could mean fewer deer moving. However, Dicka said, with seemingly far more deer in the woods this year than in the past several years, that could even out the numbers. He said hunters have reported seeing good-sized deer on their trail cameras this year.
Strasburg echoed that, noting that it seems to have been a fantastic year for horn growth, with many better quality deer being seen around the Northwoods. She has seen a lot of success this year, both on public and private land, she added.
As far as preserving trophies and meat during the nine-day gun deer hunt this year, Strasburg said time will be of the essence. With fairly warm temperatures expected through the weekend, hunters should attempt to process their deer as quickly as possible.
She reminded hunters that they can still get a mount of their deer, even if they would like to have it tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). In fact, CWD sampling is a service North Country Taxidermy will offer to hunters. For those looking to have their deer processed and also tested for CWD, TJ's Butcher Block in Minocqua as well as the Lake Tomahawk Meat Market perform sampling as well.
DNR reminds hunters of COVID safety measures
For many, deer season means getting together at deer camp with friends and family they may not see more than once a year, renewing old friendships and forging new bonds. This year, though, the DNR is reminding hunters to take COVID-19 safety measures.
While the hunt itself is outdoors and there is usually a good amount of distance between hunters, other than in the case of a mentored hunt, issues could arise after the day is done, according to the DNR. This is when hunters could potentially be in close proximity with hunting partners who are not members of their household.
"Hunting is a long-established tradition in Wisconsin," said DNR secretary Preston Cole. "However, with the pandemic, it is up to each of us to keep our communities healthy and safe this deer season. As hunters new and old make their way into the woods this season, it is important to follow all of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 safety precautions including wearing a mask, keeping six feet distance from others and avoiding crowds."
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) discourages social gatherings of any size, which includes getting together with family and friends during the hunting season, according to a recent DNR press release. The less time spent with people from other households, they said, the less likely the disease is to spread from one house hold to another.
"Wisconsin is in crisis," said DHS secretary-designee Andrea Palm. "Our case numbers are rising and our hospitals are strained. Each of us must do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Limiting your interactions with people outside of your household is a key step, so we ask hunters to reduce their travel and to hunt with people you live with."
The DNR and DHS encourage hunters to lodge in their own room, tent or trailer and to limit the amount of time they spend with others not in their own household. Also, hunters are asked to limit the number of households using shared spaces.
The DNR also reminds hunters to use the GameReg harvest report online to register their deer, or to do so via telephone at 1-844-426-3734.
CWD testing and proper carcass disposal is important for future dear health
The DNR is also asking hunters to continue to get their deer tested for CWD.
There are self-service kiosks as well as businesses such as taxidermists and meat processors that are equipped to provide CWD-sampling for hunters.
A list can be found on the DNR website. In the Northwoods, this includes the DNR Service Station in Rhinelander and Woodruff, which both have a self-service kiosks, as does the Three Lakes Shell Station.
Proper deer carcass disposal is also important, as CWD makes its way across the state. Hunters should be aware that moving deer carcasses is one of the key pathways of CWD spread. For that reason, when a deer is harvested in a CWD-affected county, only parts of that deer may be moved, unless brought to a licensed taxidermist or permitted meat processor within 72 hours of harvest.
Parts that can be moved include:
Meat that is cut and wrapped (either commercially or privately)
Quarters or other portions of meat to which NO part of the spinal column is attached
Meat that had been deboned
Hides with ho heads attached
Finished taxidermy heads
Antlers with no tissue attached
Clean skull plates with no lymphoid of brain tissue attached
Clean skulls with no lymphoid or brain tissue attached
Upper canine teeth
The DNR recommends not transporting a whole deer carcass to areas outside of the county or adjacent county where the animal was harvest. To facilitate this, there are dumpsters for deer carcass disposal set up around the state, with several in the Northwoods.
Such dumpsters can be found at Oma Town Hall, the DNR Ranger Station in Mercer, the Highway G Sanitary Landfill in Eagle River, the Rhinelander DNR Service Center and the DNR Lemay Forestry Center in Tomahawk.
A list of dumpster locations and CWD sampling sites, can be found on the DNR website.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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