MADISON, Wis. — This weekend marks the return of a cherished tradition in Wisconsin as hunters prepare to enter the forests for the commencement of the state’s nine-day gun deer season.

Starting at dawn on Saturday, the season will continue until the evening of Sunday, December 1st.

Hunters are hopeful for a better outcome this year following a lackluster 2023 season, in which approximately 174,000 deer were harvested. This figure reflects a decline of roughly 17% compared to the previous year, after experiencing an above-average harvest in 2021.

The most pronounced decrease in deer harvest was reported in northern Wisconsin, where antlerless deer hunting saw a drop of 27%, and antlered deer showed a 14% reduction. These decreases were the most significant across the state’s four management zones.

Despite the drop in deer numbers, the total count of hunters remained relatively stable compared to 2022. In 2023, hunters purchased 434,817 licenses that permitted the hunting of deer with firearms, which is just about a 0.8% decline from the previous year.

Officials from the Department of Natural Resources have attributed the decline in deer numbers to the harsh winter conditions that likely affected populations, particularly in the northern region. Meanwhile, hunters argue that the presence of wolves has significantly reduced the deer population in those areas.

Looking ahead to the upcoming gun season, DNR officials have expressed concerns about the outlook, noting that the season is occurring on the latest possible dates. Additionally, with the rut having concluded, the movement of deer during daylight hours is expected to be limited.