WAUSHARA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Opening weekend of Deer Hunt 2023 is officially in the books, and by many accounts it was a success.
In Northeast Wisconsin, one business even brought back the traditional way for hunters to register their deer.
With temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, crisp conditions greeted many hunters in Waushara County Saturday morning. Sitting in a ground blind, Charles Jewell spotted an eight-point buck.
“He came and walked out of the trees, walked through. He saw me, and then stopped. And as he started to walk away, I shot him and he went down,” said Charles Jewell, Auburndale.
Charles, and his dad, Tim Jewell took the deer to Mr. Ed’s Place in Wild Rose to get it registered.
“Just kind of old-school. To go to the registration station is what we just always do. So when I heard this was open, I thought just stop by, and register it the old-fashioned way,” said Tim Jewell, Auburndale.
Dave Algrem and the Waushara Archers helped with the registration process.
“I’m taking time to take CWD samples. I’m also aging people’s deer if they want to see how old their deer is. So, it’s a win-win situation. The DNR gets CWD samples, and the hunters get to come in here and talk about their story, and about their hunt, and show their deer off.”
Like the 10-pointer Arend Gibson shot opening morning.
“It’s kind of the old-time thing, and kind of the bragging board. It’s good to see other hunters having success, and just getting out in and amongst the community,” said Arend Gibson, Saxeville.
Darlene Apps runs Mr. Ed’s Place.
“The stories. It was always a good time, That was it. We had people that used to sit out here, just waiting for deer to come by. And it’s been slow without having the registration,” said Darlene Apps, Mr. Ed’s Place.
The Department of Natural Resources implemented electronic deer registration in 2015, and while there are about 75 businesses across the state listed as registration stations, officials say the new system will remain.
“They’re going to stick with the electronic registration. We hope this will just still bring people back, so they can talk about their stories, and about their hunt. And that’s what we’re hoping. Maybe other places will do it across the state too, because it is a lot of fun to do,” said Algrem.
The gun-deer hunt runs through November 26.
Comments