Gun deer hunters gear up for season opener during ‘Orange Friday’
DEFOREST, Wis. (WMTV) - For 12 years, Fleet Farm’s Orange Friday has been the one-stop destination for hunters to gear up and get ready for firearm deer hunting season. It’s back this year with deals on apparel, hunt gear, heaters, snacks — and everything you need this hunting season.
“It’s become a family tradition now,” General Manager of Fleet Farm in DeForest Robert Nilo said. “People are taking the kids out of school to head up north and go hunting early. Families, you see more females doing it so it’s a full family affair which is awesome to see.”
The first 500 customers through the doors received a limited-edition Fleet Farm “Orange Friday” blaze-orange hat. Orange Friday will feature Hunt Week deals on items that hunters need for a successful day in the woods. Hunters can also save big from 6 a.m. to Noon with a Big Bucks Scratch-Off Ticket that could mean 10% - 50% off their Orange Friday purchase.
Orange Friday is one of Fleet Farm’s largest and most popular events of the year, bringing hunters of all ages in for one-and-done shopping to grab those essential needs for deer camp. Hunters can stock up on the latest gear, fuel up their trucks, get their hunting licenses and buy plenty of snacks for the tree stand.
“I got some scent, some calls, I got a 10 percent off so it’s going to be a good day,” Logan, a hunter from the Milwaukee area, said.
Logan and Dylan said Orange Friday is a tradition for them. This year was their fifth year coming and waiting in line early in the morning for great deals.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was also in the store Friday morning to remind hunters to register their deer and to get them sampled for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
“Very exciting,” Area Wildlife Supervisor with the Wisconsin DNR Andy Paulios said. “This is kind of our Super Bowl weekend. Deer hunters are our favorite customer and we do a lot to support deer hunting and deer hunters all over the state so we’re excited to have some good weather this weekend and we hope people have a lot of fun.”
The WI DNR reminds hunters to be safe while they’re in the woods. Deer licenses can be bought on the DNR’s website. Hunters can also find CWD testing locations across the state.
Fleet Farm kicks off its 12th annual Orange Friday event in all store locations on Friday, Nov. 17 in Wisconsin and Iowa. Stores open at 6 a.m.
Click here to download the NBC15 News app or our NBC15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2023 WMTV. All rights reserved.
