The woods of Wisconsin have grown slightly quieter this year. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the 2025 nine-day gun deer hunt saw a marginal dip in the number of hunters trekking through its forests. A recent DNR release reported preliminary sales numbers for deer hunting licenses at 790,044, which represents a gentle decrease of 0.12% from last year. Out of these, 550,611 were dedicated to gun privileges, including gun, conservation patron, and sports licenses.
Despite the slight downturn in enthusiasm, or perhaps because of it, the statewide deer harvest for the season reached a total of 182,084. This figure breaks down into 86,068 antlered deer and 96,016 antlerless. These numbers are juggling a bit compared to last year, with an overall 0.8% drop but a slight boost in antlerless harvest by 0.9%. Marquette County boasted the highest density of harvested deer with "7.9 deer registered per square mile," starkly contrasting the quieter Northern Forest Zone's leader, DMU 108, at "2.7 deer registered per square mile," as detailed in the press release.
Hunters who experienced the thrill of their first deer kill can commemorate it with a "first harvest certificate" from the DNR. It's not just about the numbers, but the milestones and memories made in the depths of Wisconsin's wilderness that these certificates aim to celebrate. On a more sobering note, the hunt was not without incident. The DNR did report two firearm-related hunting incidents, one resulting in injury and the other, tragically, in fatality. A reminder of the inherent risks that come with the territory of this particular pastime.
The incident reports were sobering to read. In Grant County, a 57-year-old man suffered a gunshot to his buttock on the opening day of the season. Over in Fond du Lac County, a more grave incident unfolded when a 24-year-old male hunter died due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. "Preliminary investigation reflects the victim was in a tree, gun deer hunting from a saddle stand, when the unintentional discharge of their firearm occurred," according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The frequency of such incidents, thankfully, remains on the lower end of the spectrum, maintaining a ten-year average of five incidents per season with six seasons free of fatalities.
Oak Creek’s Light the Square event kicks off the holiday season while showcasing the city’s strong sense of community. Celebrations like this bring residents together, fostering connections and creating cherished memories. As the festive centerpiece lights up, it also reflects the unity and togetherness that define life in Oak Creek.
