City bow hunt to return in September

In a sure sign that fall is drawing near, the Rhinelander Common Council on Monday renewed the annual citywide deer hunt.

The annual bow hunt for deer within city limits will open on Sept. 16 and run until Jan. 7, 2024, city officials announced in a press release issued following the council vote on Aug. 14.

 “It was approved this year that the bow hunt will continue through the 9-day gun season, muzzleloading season and the antlerless-only hunt as long as hunters wear blaze orange during that time,” the release notes. “Therefore, the only time bow hunting will be suspended is on Halloween (October 31, 2023).”

The mayor and police chief have the ability to suspend the hunt in emergency situations; in which case hunters will be notified by phone, the release notes.

Individuals interested in bow hunting deer within the city can pick up the hunter’s/landowner’s application at the city clerk’s office at 135 S. Stevens Street, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or access it online at www.rhinelandercityhall.org. 

Applications will be provided for hunters as well as city landowners who wish to have their property hunted. All hunters must hunt from a stand elevated at least 6 feet off the ground.

The deadline for applications is noon on Sept. 15.

Bow hunters must have a valid State of Wisconsin bow license and must bring their carcass tag upon applying for the program. Hunters and hunting properties that were authorized in past years are not automatically re-registered and those interested in participating have to complete a new application for this year’s hunting season. Hunters must agree to a short waiting period after submitting an application to allow the Rhinelander Police Department to perform a criminal background check. Upon approval, hunters will be admitted to the program.  

The State of Wisconsin has awarded the City of Rhinelander antlerless deer permits. Therefore, permits issued by the city are for antlerless deer only. Antlered deer may only be hunted and harvested if the hunter has their own WIDNR issued buck tag. 

The city will issue antlerless deer permits one at a time to hunters who have been admitted to the program. Hunters must notify City Hall within 48 hours to inform city officials that they have harvested a deer. Please call 715-365-8600 and speak with Austyn Zarda. This will allow the city to maintain up-to-date harvest counts. Hunters will need to register their deer online at gamereg.wi.gov, by phone 1-844-426-3734 or by calling the WIDNR at 1-888-936-7463.  Once hunters have filled the permits, they may be issued another permit to obtain another deer. You cannot register someone else’s deer; nor can you ask someone else to register your deer. 

Wild Instincts at 4621 Apperson Drive will take any deer shot and not wanted.