GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – LEAD: The start of November means it is time to start planning for gun deer season and that may especially true this year.
However this year, the earlier hunters start their preparations may be better.
“You don’t want to walk in and be surprised that it does not look like it did last year.”
Jeff Pritzl of the Wisconsin DNR says the first factor is that this year starts later than normal.
“The gun season is going to be as late as it possibly can be on the calendar this year and that happens every seven years.”
The other factor comes down to the weather that we had in the spring and the summer, and that is making a big impact.
“We had the wettest conditions on record and that is going to change the landscape as far as where the deer are spending their time,” Pritzl says. “You might find that your traditional spot is just not where deer are spending time this year.”
He says for that reason, hunters may want to check the area that they hunt to make sure it is not covered in water and that the vegetation has not been impacted since last year.
He says while many are not excited about early season snowfall, it may actually help hunters prepare.
“That can help with scouting because there are signs that are easier to see when there is white on the ground.”
This year’s firearm deer season will run November 23rd through December 1st.
