Early data shows that hunters registered 173,942 deer during the 2023 gun deer season, including 85,390 antlered and 88,552 antlerless deer. 

Compared to 2022, the total firearm deer harvest was down 17.6 percent statewide, with the antlered harvest down 14.7 percent and the antlerless harvest down 20.3 percent. However, Deer Program Specialist Jeff Pritzl says 2022 and 2023 are not an "apples to apples" comparison.

"This year is more of an equalizer," he says, noting that 2022's gun deer hunt harvest numbers were a double-digit increase from the year before.

Photo by: iStock/FRANKHILDEBRAND

Early data shows that hunters registered 173,942 deer during the 2023 gun deer season, including 85,390 antlered and 88,552 antlerless deer. 
Compared to 2022, the total firearm deer harvest was down 17.6 percent statewide, with the antlered harvest down 14.7 percent and the antlerless harvest down 20.3 percent. However, Deer Program Specialist Jeff Pritzl says 2022 and 2023 are not an "apples to apples" comparison.
"This year is more of an equalizer," he says, noting that 2022's gun deer hunt harvest numbers were a double-digit increase from the year before.
Photo by: iStock/FRANKHILDEBRAND

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

DNR Suspects Lower Deer Harvest A Result Of Successful 2022 Hunt

Michael Ruff’s farm in Chippewa County has a rich history that dates back to 1850 when his great-great-great-grandfather immigrated from Germany to Milwaukee with his family of seven. Two of their children served in the Civil War, and in 1866, the family moved to Chippewa County, where they engaged in logging and farming before purchasing the farm in 1874. Michael, the fifth generation, still lives on the original farmstead, which began with a small house and barn. Over the years, the farmstead evolved, with new houses built in the early 1900s and 1948. Michael, now focused on cash cropping corn and soybeans, maintains the historic dairy barn, grain bins, machine storage, and a shop. He also creates corn mazes to keep the farm vibrant for future generations. With two sons and five grandchildren, Michael's fondest memories are of the large family gatherings on the farm where he grew up as one of nine children.

Michael Ruff’s farm in Chippewa County has a rich history that dates back to 1850 when his great-great-great-grandfather immigrated from Germany to Milwaukee with his family of seven. Two of their children served in the Civil War, and in 1866, the family moved to Chippewa County, where they engaged in logging and farming before purchasing the farm in 1874. Michael, the fifth generation, still lives on the original farmstead, which began with a small house and barn. Over the years, the farmstead evolved, with new houses built in the early 1900s and 1948. Michael, now focused on cash cropping corn and soybeans, maintains the historic dairy barn, grain bins, machine storage, and a shop. He also creates corn mazes to keep the farm vibrant for future generations. With two sons and five grandchildren, Michael's fondest memories are of the large family gatherings on the farm where he grew up as one of nine children.

Michael Ruff - Chippewa County Century & Sesquicentennial Farm

The recent heavy rains across Wisconsin have significantly impacted mosquito populations, leading to heightened mosquito pressure in many areas of the state, particularly in regions such as the Driftless Area and the North Woods. State entomologist, PJ Liesch, provided insights into the current situation and offered valuable recommendations to both the public and farmers to mitigate mosquito bites and breeding grounds.

The abundance of standing water resulting from the heavy rains has created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Liesch noted that even in more urban and suburban areas, there is a noticeable mosquito presence this year. 

The recent heavy rains across Wisconsin have significantly impacted mosquito populations, leading to heightened mosquito pressure in many areas of the state, particularly in regions such as the Driftless Area and the North Woods. State entomologist, PJ Liesch, provided insights into the current situation and offered valuable recommendations to both the public and farmers to mitigate mosquito bites and breeding grounds.
The abundance of standing water resulting from the heavy rains has created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Liesch noted that even in more urban and suburban areas, there is a noticeable mosquito presence this year.

High Mosquito Pressure in Wisconsin

Peter Fritsch the president and owner of Rushing Waters explains how they run their business and what it takes to raise rainbow trout

Peter Fritsch the president and owner of Rushing Waters explains how they run their business and what it takes to raise rainbow trout

DNR Suspects Lower Deer Harvest A Result Of Successful 2022 Hunt

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