Wisconsin Deer Hunting

Deer Hunting Season

Fall is fast approaching and deer hunting season with it. You can nearly feel the excitement in the air as guns are cleaned and sighted preparing for that trophy deer-hunting trip in just a few weeks. As you prepare for this hunting season, you may be interested in finding new areas to hunt maybe visit another state on a weeklong deer-hunting trip. As you prepare and examine your options this year take some time to look over the deer hunting tips available below. Things like deer hunting guides and deer hunting outfitters could be the difference between a trophy buck and just cold feet.

Deer hunting season varies slightly throughout the nation but is generally broken up into three to four smaller mini seasons. The type of hunting equipment that will be used usually determines these seasons. Depending on where you are, the deer-hunting season will break up something like this:

• Archery season – Beginning anywhere from early September to mid October. Separate rules and bag limits apply.
• Muzzleloader – This season varies from state to state more widely than any other type of hunting equipment. Dates begin with short hunts in October to special hunts in December.
• Modern Gun - Dates for modern gun can range from November to December depending on the state you will hunt.
• Youth Hunts – There are some states that promote special hunts called youth hunts. These hunts can be the only hunts allowed on certain state owned lands and or are reserved for specified age groups. It is a way to introduce the next generation to deer hunting and promote parent and child interaction.

These are just a few general dates for deer hunting season and are not set in stone. Each state is carved into hunting zones and the start dates can be different for each zone. In fact, some aspects of the season may be open in one zone and closed in another. Not to mention the states game and fish commission have been known to make last minute changes to dates and zones.

Different states also require different types of hunting licenses. For instance, in Wisconsin there is a huge difference between the resident and non-resident permits. The cost of these permits and what each one covers are determined by each states game and fish commission.

This is where deer hunting guides come in very handy. Not only can they assist you in areas to hunt but they can also keep you from getting in serious trouble. Having the wrong license or no license at all is a serious offense in every state and the punishments can range from steep fines to forfeiture of all your hunting equipment, license and even your vehicle! Along with helping, you stay in good with the local law enforcement deer hunting guides usually offer something very hard to find, a reserved hunting location. They maintain large areas of land for prime hunting experiences. Your chances of success greatly improve with the use of a deer-hunting guide. Of course, success cannot be guaranteed because much of that depends on your skill level and persistence. If you go out to the deer woods for an hour then return to camp and relax the day away chances are you will go home empty handed.

Deer hunting outfitters offer the same kind of guided hunts but some offer premium additions. Outfitters are more like hunting country clubs a lot of the time. They will offer amenities like onsite restaurants that serve local game and beautiful lodges to stay in. Some of these lodges will come equipped with exciting game rooms and even karaoke nights! Plus, they will also offer you all the outfitting you can need. Hunting clothes, ammo, and even bows and crossbows can be purchased after you arrive. Pack lightly and get all you need once you reach the lodge. Deer hunting outfitters will also often offer trophy deer hunting; this is when you get that monster buck to write home about! Not all outfitters are created equal there are outfitters whose hunts take you far afield therefore your accommodations may be tents or small cabins.

Trophy deer hunting is very popular in the US today with over two thousand hunters entering the size of their deer in hopes of having a trophy buck. Bucks are determined to be trophies based on a scoring system from the measurements of their antlers. Below you will find a breakdown of Boone and Crockett’s scoring system.

• Number of points on each antler

• Tip to tip spread, get this measurement by measuring between the tips on the main beam.

• Greatest spread is measured between perpendiculars at a right angle to the center of the head at the widest point. (Don’t worry the site has an illustration plus it is calculated for you)

• Inside spread of main beams is measured at right angle to the centerline of the skull at the widest point. (also figured for you )

• Total length of all abnormal points is the measurement of points outside the norm. These may be points coming off points or anything outside the normal point pattern.

• Length of main beam is measured for each antler. This is the measurement from the center of the most outside edge of the bur along the outer side to the furthest point.

• Length of normal points is measurements of any point that projects from the top of the main beam. Again, these are measured separately for each antler.

• Circumference is measured at the narrowest place. This measurement typically occurs between the bur and a specified location as shown on a graph.

All measurements must be taken with a quarter inch flexible steel tape and given to the nearest one-eighth measurement. Now all the measurements entered will be calculated to give your trophy an overall score. Many a hunter has hoped for the world record buck but few have found it. The last world-class typical whitetail buck was taken in 1993 and atypical in 1981 from the great state of Missouri.

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