UPDATED: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 --- 5:45 a.m.
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- State wildlife officials are reminding deer hunters they can still get out into the woods after the traditional nine-day gun season wraps up later this month.
The state's 10-day muzzleloader season opens Nov. 26, the day after the traditional firearm season ends. Department of Natural Resources officials say that season is far more relaxed. Fewer hunters venture out and deer begin to return to their normal movement patterns.
The four-day antlerless hunt begins statewide on Dec. 6, the day after the muzzleloader season ends. Hunters also can get in on an ongoing gun season in certain metropolitan areas with higher deer populations. That season ends Dec. 9.
Copyright 2012: Associated Press
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POSTED: Saturday, November 17, 2012 --- 5:00 p.m.
Today is opening day of the 2012 gun deer hunting season.
Blaze orange is visible across south central Wisconsin as thousands of hunters hit the woods.
According to the DNR more than 614,000 hunting licenses have been sold this year.
That's about 11,000 more than last year.
As expected, many hunters were excited to begin the season.
Kelly Ruckcavolt is a wrapper at a butcher shop.
She said, "We just had a gentleman come in with a ten pointer and we were just as excited as he was and he even made that comment. You guys are as excited as I am, so we were just excited about the season and we are hoping everyone just gets what they're hunting for."
State officials are warning hunters about the warm weather. They say it can affect the quality of the deer meat.
Cindy Klug, manager of the Bureau of Meat Safety and Inspection, says when temperatures are above 40 degrees harmful bacteria can grow quickly.
Klug recommends field dressing immediately after killing the deer. She also says washing the body cavity with cold, clean water and putting it on ice quickly can help.
