NW Wisconsin, Zone 10

[DonBo]

We hunt the northern part of this zone, above Hwy 70. Anyone else hunt here that thinks they are giving away WAY too many anterless permits? The deer seem to be way down from just a couple years ago. Some think that higher deer densities in the lower portion of this zone may be to blame.

Does anybody here hunt below Hwy 70? Do you think there are enough deer there to justify all the anterless tags?

Does this zone need to broken into two different zones? Ayone else have thoughts on this?

[Cooter]

I'm not familiar with your area but many zones are so large I think its tough to properly manage. We've had several years of zone T plus 2 years of EAB where I hunt and the quantity of mature does is way down, no doubt about it. Thats fine but the EAB needs a break for at least a year in the zone I hunt. Problem is they only look at the overall numbers for the entire zone, might have areas with excess deer while at the same time other areas in that zone need a breather so to speak.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I too hunt zone 10.. but archery only.. there are areas in zone 10 Crex med... that have a ton of deer.. just hard to get too...

On he land that I hunt.. I too have noticed a few less deer this year... and More Bucks than Does.

[DonBo]

I hunt right in or near Crex, bow and gun and have not seen a "ton" of deer for several years.

If I am missing out on a hot spot, please let me know...

[klecker]

I mainly hunt the lower half of 10(polk). We shot 3 doe bowhunting, 3 bucks gun and 4 doe gun. I also do hunt up around crex the second half with a buds group. There are just as many deer their as by our cabin. This year was wierd as we had little to no hunting pressure. Didnt see another hunter the hole weekend in the woods. Was like bowhunting with a gun. One buck was a nice 8 point. My brother saw 3 big bucks saturday a.m. all in a 300 yrd area all locked on does, finally connected with the 3rd and smallest. I'll try and figure how to post it.

[klecker]

Alos have heard some talk of a possible split of 10.

Going north and south to split out the public areas to the west and private areas to the east. Dont know if it will ever happen?

[DonBo]

Quote:

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Going north and south to split out the public areas to the west and private areas to the east.

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This would be a big help. IMO the larger sections of private land seem to hold many more deer, and bigger ones, than all the public land this area has to offer. I think baiting is a big reason for this. But the split I have heard rumors of is north from the south at Hwy 70.

Interesting that you think there as many deer near Crex as in the southern part...

[klecker]

We do have spots that have lower numbers comparied to someother sections. Dont know if the wolves push them around a little? I see fresh dog tracks but the deer are still there. I know if an area is bait heavily the deer movement and sightings goes way down. During bow season I got away from roads and cabins and had great day movement. If I hunted by any cabins they would only move at dusk and headed on a string line to yellow acorns. Couple of years ago I didnt see squat but everyone else did. Couple of nights on the way out to hwy 87 you would see 40-50 deer in the ditch other nights none. The farm areas are just loaded its like they are raising deer. Shine a feild and it has 50+ deer in it. But It was nice this year seeing way less people out there. Talked to a few and they were having a tough time by us. The clear cuts and the areas around them had the most sign and sightnings.

[DonBo]

Gun season's over. Was wondering what kind of luck everyone had. In the northern part of the zone we have seen some nicer bucks the last couple years. Probably due to the overabundance of anterless tags. But, deer numbers seem to be way down. Guess its tough to have one without the other.

Just curious how hunters have done in other parts of the zone.

[Scott K]

I hunt zone 11 in Wisconsin, not to many big bucks by us this year, lots of smaller deer and does, and fawns running around, I noticed after the first couple days, the deer didnt move well around us. We ended up with 4 for 4

[klecker]

intresting little map. The number has to really be affected by the private areas. Thats a lot of deer per aquare mile of deer habit.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/hunt/deer/fall_deer_per_DR.htm

[DonBo]

WOW! Does anyone really believe there are 50 deer per square mile, even on private land, in zone 10?

[klecker]

They say 10 is like 89% deer habit. Would like to know how many square miles there are in that zone.

[DonBo]

Roughly 800 square miles. Over 700 square miles of "habitat", 36,000 deer.

Only 4 came anywhere near me during the gun season...I need a new spot!

[Scott K]

I am in zone 11 just east, I believe 43 deer per mile, woods is thick, at night I see a ton of deer. In my private land we seen a quite a few in the few acres I own. And I know there were alot of deer shot within a mile square of me, and there were still alot left!