November 17, 2022 at 12:33 p.m.
2022 gun deer season shows promise
Hunters see lower temps, moderate winter severity index as positive cues
2022 gun deer season shows promise
Local hunter Ed Choinski said he has seen more double fawns this year than in recent years. He has also heard of many hunters seeing bigger bucks at night on their trail cameras. He felt the odds of the hunting season lining up with the rut in the Northwoods were high and hunters should be fairly successful this year.
The weather is turning colder and that should get the deer moving as well, he noted.
Oneida County hunter Rich Hirman reported the rut was in "full swing" on the private land where he hunts. He also commented on the colder weather and how that should have both deer, and hunters, moving around. He felt positive about the odds of bagging a buck during the nine-day gun deer season.
Last winter's winter severity index was relatively low, meaning deer likely made it through the winter fairly healthy. The winter severity index, as the name implies, puts a number on the severity of weather over the previous winter. For each day of below zero temperatures, one point is added. A point is also added for each day with 18 inches or more of snow on the ground. Days where both of these conditions occur are given two points.
Last winter, Oneida County's winter severity index was in the "moderate" category. The index was 54, putting it just into the moderate range. Vilas County's index was 78, which put it at the high end of the "moderate" category. These numbers were both slightly higher than in the winter of 2020-2021, where both counties, and much of the state, were in the "mild" category, according to the deer metrics system on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website.
While the winter severity index can be a good indicator of deer herd health, of course there are many other factors that influence this. Even in more severe winters, deer that have good habitat, for both cover and forage, are more apt to come through the winter healthy than deer in lesser habitats.
CWD in the Northwoods
Hunters are asked to have their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) this hunting season. Testing is not mandatory, however it is a free service of which more hunters are taking advantage. The DNR has asked for help from hunters in learning more about the spread and prevalence of CWD within the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hunters not eat meat from an animal found to be positive for the disease. It is important to remember that deer can test positive for the disease 18 months before showing clinical signs, or being outwardly sick.
For testing locations, see the sidebar on this page. For information about a recent study looking at the possibility of CWD transmission to humans, see the related story in this section.
Baiting and feeding ban still in effect
Hunters are reminded that feeding and baiting of deer is still banned in Vilas and Oneida counties. Deer at a game farm in Three Lakes have tested positive and detections in the wild herd in the southeastern portion of Oneida County have put the ban in place in that county. In Vilas County, a positive test in the wild herd just last year put that county on the feeding and baiting ban list for three years.
Feeding and baiting bans are required by state statute when a deer has tested positive for CWD in either the wild or in a captive herd. In the county in which the finding has taken place, the ban will be enacted for three years. Any county within a 10-mile radius of the finding will be under a feeding and baiting ban for two years. With each subsequent finding, the clock essentially "resets," for the same periods of time.
Feeding of birds and small mammals is still allowed in these counties. However, there are very specific requirements for placement of that feed.
For more information on the specifics of the feeding and baiting ban, see the related story in this section.
Carcass movement
Hunters should be aware of the carcass movement restrictions that are in place for deer harvested from counties such as Oneida and Vilas, which are CWD-affected counties. Entire carcasses may not be moved beyond either the county of harvest or an adjacent county unless they will be brought to a taxidermist or licensed processor within 72 hours.
Only certain parts of a deer may be moved beyond that in other cases. To see a full list of parts that may be moved, and to learn more about these restrictions, see the story on Page 9.
Deer donation program
The State of Wisconsin has a Deer Donation Program which allows hunters to donate their deer or deer meat to be shared with charitable organizations throughout the state.
The program is offered free of charge. Hunters may donate their entire deer, or retain the head and/or antlers for mounting, if desired.
For more information on the program, visit the DNR website.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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