Preliminary totals from the Department of Natural Resources indicate that the recently completed 2019 gun deer season was a bust for lots of hunters. While nearly as many hunters bought hunting licenses as 2018, the number of deer killed fell by nearly 25%. The late timing of the hunt and a lack of snow cover were cited as factors.

160,769

Total number of deer registered during the Nov. 23-Dec. 1 Wisconsin gun deer hunt.

-24.9%

Change in the number of deer killed compared with 2018, when 213,972 deer were tagged.

-69.6% 

Change in the number of 2019 deer killed during the gun hunt compared with 2000, the all time high.

1980

The last year the gun deer hunt total was lower than this year’s figure.

7,817

Number of deer killed in Eau Claire, Chippewa, and Dunn counties, a 14% decline from 2018.

104

Age of Florence Teeters, a first-time hunter who shot a buck in Pierce County on the first day of hunting season.