Where are the deer in southwest WI?

[Trapper22]

I hunt in units 73D and 74B and have seen a total of 4 deer in 15 trips out bowhunting this year. I'm hunting a mix of private and public land and am seeing a little sign of deer activity but not much. One of the deer I saw was about 1000 yards away and another one was when it was still dark out and I was going into the woods (yesterday).

I've asked a couple of farmers for permission but have been turned down which is understandable they own the land and hunt themselves. Does anyone know of a place to hunt. The areas I'm in now don't seem to have much even though the DNR says we're over run with deer and yes we're a herd reduction zone, shoot all the does you want for $2.00 each.

The ultimate deer herd goal in the state must be zero and they're closing in on that. The DNR will not stop until it's acheived either.

[william75]

CWD! The DNR's miss management program. best place to find deer is to drive the roads near places that are off limits to hunting like suburbs and and county parks.

[Trapper22]

The units I hunt aren't even in the CWD area but right next to it. Does anyone know of public ground that has anything of a deer population on it? I've hunted some areas on the lower wisconsin riverway and haven't seen much of anything.

This was first year back into bowhunting in 15 years and with the way it stands now with not seeing much it will be my last until the deer population increases or I move to a different state. Unfortunately I don't see the deer population increasing with the DNR wanting everything shot. I saw far more deer 15 years ago than I see now.

[mr.mc54]

Originally Posted by Trapper22

The units I hunt aren't even in the CWD area but right next to it. Does anyone know of public ground that has anything of a deer population on it? I've hunted some areas on the lower wisconsin riverway and haven't seen much of anything.

This was first year back into bowhunting in 15 years and with the way it stands now with not seeing much it will be my last until the deer population increases or I move to a different state. Unfortunately I don't see the deer population increasing with the DNR wanting everything shot. I saw far more deer 15 years ago than I see now.

Trapper, its only gonna get worse as far as finding a place to hunt. Land owners that I know are not leting people hunt til the numbers go up some. Now this creates a problem for hunters and the DNR. The hunters are just in the cross fire. The DNR has the ball in their court. Work with land owners or the deer herd explodes!!!!

[daughenbaugh hunter]

my aunt owns a farm near gays mills and the deer are everywhere there.

[mr.mc54]

See thats the problem. If the landowners are'nt in on the deer counting, the herd could be exploding in one area and extremely low in another. Just a few miles apart makes a difference. An incentive for landowners would go a long way.

[wis_rifle_hunter]

i hunt in 73B and i've only seen 8 deer in 2 months. i go out bowhunting every other weekend. the dnr have there deer numbers blown way out of proportion