Despite favorable weather conditions, a later-than-normal start to the 2019 deer hunting season in the area and Wisconsin was down nearly 27 percent than last year.  According to the Department of Natural Resources, over 93,000 deer were harvested and registered statewide the past weekend during the gun hunt.  That compares with over 123,000 deer in 2018.  The number of bucks taken was down even more by about 30 percent.  Local Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha says historically a post-rut season can cause a decline in the deer kill.

Door County had 1,176 deer harvested while Kewaunee County showed 948 deer taken.  Kratcha says the hunt has been safe so far in Door and Kewaunee counties with no reported accidents.  Four people were reportedly slightly injured statewide during the opening weekend.

(Photo courtesy of Rick Ripley)  

Total numbers from the state on deer kill the first weekend compared to last year:

https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/documents/deer_Prelim9day_2018v2019.pdf