Like many of you, I spent much of the last week of November deer hunting. This is something I have done every year since 1968. I believe that hunting is as essential to fall as Thanksgiving dinner and football season. I have a lot of fun doing it each year, and filling up my freezer at the end of the season is an added bonus!

The 2025 Gun Deer Season concluded at the end of November. Since then, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released a lot of interesting data about this year’s hunt.

Statewide, hunters harvested 182,084 deer, a 0.8% decrease from last year. 13,384 of those deer were harvested in the counties of the 17th Senate District. Despite a slight decrease in gun deer totals, we have seen an overall increase in the total number of deer harvested compared to last year thanks to successful bow and youth hunting seasons.

The DNR has sold 790,044 licenses for deer hunting across all seasons this year, down 0.12% from last year. This follows a decade-long trend in which the number of hunters in the state has steadily decreased, while the deer herd continues to grow.

I closely monitor sales for licenses related to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. These fees are the primary source of funding for the fish and wildlife account. This account supports a number of DNR functions, including wildlife management staff, abatement programs, fish hatcheries, and habitat conservation. The steady decline in licenses being sold has added up. Over the last decade, we have seen approximately a 10% decrease in license sales.

This is why Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and I have introduced legislation to increase revenues to this important account. This legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 670, would modestly increase the price of hunting and fishing licenses for out-of-state visitors. These additional revenues would help ensure the fish and wildlife account remains solvent, while having a minimal effect on those visiting Wisconsin to enjoy our natural resources. The cost of a hunting or fishing license is a relatively small part of an out-of-state hunting or fishing trip.

I hope everyone had a great hunting season and stayed safe. For those interested, there are a few more weeks left in deer hunting season. Antlerless-only hunts continue through the end of December, and archery and crossbow season continues in much of the 17th Senate District until the end of January. For more information, please visit the DNR’s website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/dates.

If you need assistance with any state-related matters, please call my team at the State Capitol – 608-266-0703 – or email me – Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. My team is ready and willing to help navigate your state government, clear obstacles, and receive your input.