MADISON, WI- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrated the conclusion of the 2024 nine-day gun deer hunt, highlighting increased participation and improved harvest numbers compared to 2023. Preliminary data reveals that 791,023 hunting licenses were sold as of Dec. 1, a slight increase from the previous year’s 788,697. Of these, 553,652 were for gun privileges, up marginally from 2023.
Hunters registered 189,622 deer during the season, marking a 5.2% statewide increase. This total includes 89,787 antlered and 99,835 antlerless deer, with both categories showing growth from last year. The antlered harvest increased by 3.6%, and the antlerless harvest rose by 6.6%. Additionally, since the start of the bow and crossbow seasons, Wisconsin hunters have registered a cumulative total of 289,361 deer, an 8.7% improvement over 2023.
Adams County emerged as a leader in harvest density, with 12.4 deer per square mile in the Central Farmland Zone. Other notable leaders included Vernon County in the Southern Farmland Zone (7 deer per square mile), Adams County again in the Central Forest Zone (4.2 deer per square mile), and Florence County in the Northern Forest Zone (2.9 deer per square mile).
The DNR’s preliminary data also provided regional harvest comparisons to five-year averages. While most zones showed increases in harvest totals compared to 2023, some areas remain slightly below their historical averages. For example, the Northern Forest Zone’s antlered harvest is down 7.9% compared to the five-year average.
The hunt was marked by a strong safety record, with only one reported firearm-related incident. A 14-year-old hunter in Vernon County sustained injuries to both feet but was treated and is recovering. The DNR continues to emphasize firearm safety and encourages hunters to follow the TAB-K rules: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, Be sure of your target and what is beyond, and Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
With additional hunting seasons, including muzzleloader and antlerless-only hunts, extending into January, the DNR invites hunters to stay engaged and contribute to Wisconsin’s rich hunting traditions.
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