More hunters afield, more deer taken in Wisconsin this fall

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — More Wisconsin hunters took to the field this fall, and they brought home more deer during the just-completed gun season.

The state Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday that deer licenses of all kinds were up 3.5% from the same time last year, with female hunters remaining the fastest-growing demographic — up 12% from last year.

The state said hunters registered 188,712 deer during the nine-day gun deer hunt. That was up almost 16% statewide.

The DNR said hunters fared better in southern farmland zones compared to some northern forest zones.

The state reported nine gun-related injuries and one death during the gun season.