Hunting

Wisconsin hunters are seeing a slow start to the state’s nine-day gun deer season compared to last year.

As of Friday morning, hunters had purchased 302,988 gun licenses out of 661,333 licenses sold so far this year, according to the Wisconsin DNR.

Wisconsin’s hunters killed almost 4,300 bears this year, exceeding the state’s quota and rebounding after their lowest harvest in 15 years last season.

Since 1992, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has facilitated the Wisconsin Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities, with help from local organizations. Some hunters told WPR what the event means to them.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating three reported wolf killings in Wisconsin that have occurred within the last year, according to state wildlife regulators.

Tomorrow is the start of the archery deer hunting season, stretching until January. Two DNR staffers tell us what to expect this season and how to stay safe.

The Natural Resources Board has expanded opportunities for hunters to kill does on public lands in two northern Wisconsin counties, but they’ll only be able to bag bucks in two other counties this fall.

Concerned about the observed uptick, rehabilitators have connected with conservation organization Wisconsin’s Green Fire for help.

Some county officials, conservation groups and GOP lawmakers want the state to take a closer look at deer management after Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a Republican bill that would’ve banned doe hunting up north.

State wildlife officials will allow elk hunting in central Wisconsin for the first time since the animals were reintroduced to the state.