Augusta Hunters Bag 53 Deer in 9 Days
Augusta Hunters Bag 53 Deer in 9 Days Save Email Print
Posted: 9:17 PM Nov 30, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:40 PM Nov 30, 2008
 Reporter: Kelly Schlicht
Email Address: kelly.schlicht@weau.com
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A group of hunters in Augusta may not have bagged a 30-point-buck this year, but they certainly were successful. They've shot 53 deer in the past 9 days.

Richard Price says he's got at least 30 hanging from his tree, all shot by about 25 of his family and friends.

They shot 15 bucks, and the largest was a nine-point buck.

Price says there's a special strategy for their hunting success.

"We get a big group of guys and we don't sit, we walk, we push the woods and we move 'em. I mean, they ain't movin’ if you're just sittin',” he says.

Price says the hunters plan to divide the meat up and enjoy eating their venison.

He hung so many of the deer this season in honor of his grandmother—an avid hunter—who passed away this year.
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Posted by: Jessica Location: Altoona on Dec 15, 2008 at 10:36 AM
continued.. stories that the family and friends had to share. She will be greatly missed. She would say you know those folks are just jelous. Say Grandma you are right! I would like to see more effort from other hunters who think that they can sit on their butts in the woods trying to keep warm. Hint for you fellas keep moving is the best way to keep warm and to bag deer. Please come on out and join our group(oh and bring the DNR w u)We will show you how its done. I promise that you will not return since its seems to me that their are a lot of folks out there that are plain lazy. If the DNR are wrong on their numbers what does the Price family have to do with it. They took their limit as I am sure you did too. My childern and I also enjoy the meat given to us by my parents. Its what keeps us through. I can promise u that we dont waste any. The stuff that can not be eaten are given to the animals. So keep crying you fools! See you next year right? If not good luck to you!
Posted by: Ernst Location: Fairchild Wi on Dec 10, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Is this the all american deer hunting family or just a bunch of violators hunting on state land? I would suggest that this reporter should invite themselves to the Price hunting camp and get the real story. Can't wait to read about it next year, better yet maybe the DNR has got something planned for them.
Posted by: Mike Price Location: Columbus, Ohio on Dec 8, 2008 at 02:09 PM
WOW!! 53 deer, thats awesome. thats what you call true deer hunters. this is by no means an overkill. you have to look at how many deer were killed(53), and the deer hunters(25). I'm sure a 3 year old can do the math, all you guys writing bad comment are just jealous you can't hang with the big dogs of Wi. If you think 53 deer is alot, just wait til next year....
Posted by: John Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!! on Dec 5, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Justin Weichel slayed every one of those deer with his bare hands, and only allowed the others to take credit for harvesting them because he's modest like that. On opening day, Justin set out into the woods with just a wet lasagna noodle and a potato peeler. Hours later he returned from the woods carrying 52 dead deer. (He got the 53rd one on his way home, when he hit it with his car on accident.)
Posted by: Jungle jim Location: Omro on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Killing for the sake of killing is wrong. If you want to hunt do so and enjoy yourself but follow the laws laid down by the DNR.
Posted by: bear Location: WI on Dec 4, 2008 at 05:58 AM
this is just to many deer. and why shoot the litle bucks. i wounder how manny of the deer are does, and bucks. TO MANNY DEER THIS IS A OVER KILL
Posted by: Manny Kanblo Location: WI on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:57 PM
This is to Too Many Deer! These hunters obviously shot these deer to feed their families. It was not over kill. Each hunter got approximately two deer each if you try to figure it out. We cant just stop shooting deer either that wouldnt be smart.
Posted by: Buck hunter Location: Hawkins WI on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Hats off to this crew for working for these deer. Its nice to see they actually hunt rather sit over corn piles. We've trained a whole generation that the only way to hunt is over corn. Sad. On the other hand thats a lot of deer in one area. We have a crew that takes 20 to 30 deer a year out of the same area we hunt. Over half that number does and fawns. After about 4 years of this they are the first ones asking what happened to the deer?? Next year they'll regret this. I agree with most everyone else here. The deer population is down considerably. Wake up DNR! No more baiting, no more doe only seasons. Lets get back to hunting the way it should be.
Posted by: John Location: Neillsville on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Hunting is not about killing. It is about enjoying the outdoors. Seeing wildlife in its natural state is why I hunt. I've hunted for over 30 years and shoot one or two deer every year. The fun is watching the deer. Sad to say each year our hunting becomes alittle worse because of people that are out there simply to fill tags. They think killing a lot of deer makes them a mighty hunter. It is our children that we should all feel sorry for. It is no fun for youngsters to sit hour after hour and not see the animals. The DNR is at fault for letting people shoot this many deer.....What a shame.
Posted by: Craig Location: Ladysmith on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:29 PM
I had the best year ever! Shot a 10 point with a bow, and a 10 point with a gun. Oh, but I had to leave the state to do it. I did see a few smaller bucks during the bow season in Wisconsin that I passed. The gun season I saw zero the 1st day, and zero by noon on Sunday. And after hearing all of the reports from friends all over the state, I hung up my weapon for the year, and DO NOT plan to purchase a tag next year.I've hunted Wisconsin for 28 years and for the 1st time did not take a deer. Not because I couldn't, but because I hope to keep my kids interested in hunting in the future. How sad.
Posted by: Too many deer on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:27 PM
That is way too many deer to kill by one group. These people sound like a bunch of savages. Conserve the resource, not support the DNR and insurance companies by shooting everything that moves!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Eau Claire on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Whats with the DNR? If they say there are deer out there then where are they! I know a lot of other hunters that are wondering the same thing. We did many drives the last few days and we only got a very few amont of deer-(none hit and not found)! I really wonder if there are as many deer as they say there is or if there is someone trying to cover it up??? Makes you wonder???
Posted by: Anonymous Location: WI on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:41 AM
The bottom line is that everyone saw squat! Earn A Buck and Zone T have whiped out TONS of the population. I went down to my deer processor to check out the deer down there and his numbers were down 25% from last year, and this is in JACKSON COUNTY....a big deer county! He also said that over 200 deer were "DONATED." This means, people are only shooting does because they HAVE TO, not because they want to. Most of the donated deer will just go to waste. This is sad.
Posted by: Josh Miller Location: Praag on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Go ahead! Don't buy a tag! That will be more deer for me next year! If your land value was based on deer, your timber value and location of land must be crappy!
Posted by: Ben Gurgen Hoffeman Location: Wisconsin on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I agree with none of your biz from augusta. It may sound like a big number of deer were shot and there was. But if anybody read the story they would know that for every hunter there were 2 deer approximately. And if you dont want to buy tags thats fine with me, its one more deer for the rest of us.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Jackson County, WI on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Totally disgusting!!!!! We have people out there that think this is a good thing? Come on, why would you give print coverage to something so pathetic. Not only is the DNR totally incompetent to allow a slaughter of one of the hugest recourses and revenue producing events in the state! But you also have irresponsible hunters making a mockery out of it. Wake up people, the DNR doesn't have a clue about the deer population, they never have! All that was accomplished in the last few years was the enialation of the largest revenue producing events in the State. My young children spent hours in the woods this season and I am another person reporting of seeing squat for deer!Hunting has always been a family event in my life now it will not be shared with my future generations. What a disappointment! Not only does this effect the deer heard but also the value of land. Think about it people if you own recreational land the value has taken a huge dip. Who is going to invest in your land for hunting when the DNR has totally striped it's value! I would recommend to ALL true sportsman Do not buy ANY licenses next year from the DNR!!
Posted by: Hunter Joe Location: Wisconsin on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Congrats to the successful hunters. Like someone else said, that's only a couple deer per person, and they worked hard for them instead of sitting in condos overlooking a pile of corn or apples dumped by the ATV load. I shot a few deer this year, does that make it a slaughter? Many deer get away from group drives only to be shot by others or to live on, maybe a bit wiser, for another day. Someone hit the nail on the head ... if it weren't for drivers, many hunters wouldn't see squat after opening weekend.
Posted by: noneofyourbiz Location: augusta on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I dont know what all you people are complaing/whinning about if you take the of hunters in the group divided by how many deer were killed it equals about 2 deer per person there are plenty of people posting negative comments on here that shot 2 deer themselves who really cares that they hung them in there tree they have been doing this for years and nobody has ever cared i think that there are just alot of jealous people out there this year because they didnt get any so stop your whinning and enjoy a good story when you here one
Posted by: Tom Location: Whitehall on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:48 PM
They were able to recover 53 deer, so how many were hit and unsuccessfully found while driving and shotting at running deer. Losing a deer here and there is a part of hunting but that greatly ups the percentage shooting at running deer so maybe they should try to be more strategic with stand placement and more scouting in the off season instead of pushing every square inch of woods. So what is the real kill count, how many were unsuccessfully found?
Posted by: MIke Location: Up North on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Opening weekend found my Father and I taking our annual hike almost 1/2 mile deep into Public land. This year like others, we saw several deer. 29 total between just the 2 of us on opening weekend. We choose to sit most of the day. Of the 29, we chose to only take 2 mature does. Like others before have commented, Deer Hunting is not just 9 days, it takes a solid year of planning, scouting and knowing your area. While the number of deer during bow season this year has been less, I have still saw dozens of quality bucks again this year. And yes, I hunt land open to the public. As for wolves and bears.... we hear the wolves often and see the bears even more often that that. I am thankful that the area I hunt is primarily hunted by responsible hunters so my children will enjoy this same great sport I do for years to come.
Posted by: Bow and Gun Hunter Location: Durand, WI on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I am a hunter and I have to say I am appaled by this story, for all those congratulating them, shame on you, waite until next year when you see even less deer. Every time you shoot a doe, you are killing at least 2 if not 3 deer. (with the doe being pregnant) In this state it is to hard to do quality deer managment, because there are to many hunters like the price family that blast anything that is brown. You don't have to be a good hunter to shoot 53 deer, with 25 people walking through the woods, do you think a deer is going to get past them? I know that the price family is a large one, I only hope it is large enough to use up that much meat! Also great job to the DNR, they really know what they are doing, keep issuing these doe tags, maybe next year you won't have a whitetail heard to try and control!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:26 PM
I really don't see the big problem here. Several people have posted that they only took two deer this year. The article says that the 53 deer were taken by about 25 hunters. 53/25 =2.1 deer per hunter! The article should stated how much land these deer were taken on. What if it was 1000 acres?
Posted by: 59B hunter Location: ELEVA on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:42 PM
As far as i see the DNR better get rid of the earn a buck this year!!!!!!!! I saw one doe the hole gun deer season and bow hunting i saw one fawn!!!!!! I have hunted the same area all of my life and never seen anything like this. On top of this there is a guy that lives over the hill from me that received 10 agg tags which really burns me. I think the DNR should go sit and a stand and hunt before they say how many deer are out there!!!!!!!!!! Not a happy hunter this year!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: BRF, WI on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:34 PM
This is absoulutely ridiculous. The DNR is completely stripping the heard. We all need to get together and speak our minds. If this junk doesn't end, DON'T BUY A LICENSE!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Driving deer is more enjoyable to some then sitting in a tree all day that is why a lot of groups drive deer. they spend time with family and get to see a lot more deer then they would if they sat in a tree all day. for the most part my family tries not to shoot little ones, but there are times when someone gets one. i hunt in a group of about 20 and its all family. we eat what we kill and we enjoy driving over sitting. don't blame driving on low deer counts, blame the DNR. if you hunt on public land u won't see as many deer because most of the deer are in the city limits or on private land and as far as ruining the hunt for people sitting in stands on public land your crazy. when u see a deer most of the time it has been kicked up or pushed by a group that is driving. deer counts are probably up but they are up in places that most people can't hunt
Posted by: Chris Location: Rice Lake on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Our family did well also this year. We do well every year because of the work we put in, similar to this family. The deer are stuck in the brush and if you don't go in, your not going to get them. If you stay on a stand 20 feet from the road, it's unlikely that you will see a deer. We work extremely hard for our venison and because of our hard physical work in jumping deer in the brush, every year is a great success for us. I'm probably saying too much becuase now all my secrets are out. Hard work pays! I'm complimenting this Augusta family for a job well done! (And everyone else, stop your whining!)
Posted by: Barron County Location: bc on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:09 PM
That's all well and good. But the way the picture looks, there are quite a few "bambinos" in there. We have neighbors that do the same... brown is down. As soon as we pass up deer that are small, they shoot them across the line fence. And 15 bucks... what a crock!! The largest was a nine pointer. What were the others ..... 4pt, 6pt??!!!! the only way to get big bucks is to pass them up. Shoot does if you want meat!! Our rule here is that if someone hunts on our land, thet can shoot a buck, but they have to mount it. If it is 4pt, then they have to mount it. We follow the same guidlines as we are QDM. I would sure like to hear on this board from one or more of this hunting party and explain themselves!!!
Posted by: Jamie Location: Eau Claire on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:40 AM
The deer herd is lower than they say. I start scouting in July. I bow hunt and rifle. This year the deer sign was nothing compared to past years. Hunting is suppose to be a sport not a slaughter. I lost a dear friend years ago during a drive. He was shot by someone out of our hunting group. Therefore, I will not drive deer anymore. Driving deer is not for the lazy hunter; however, it also increases your chances of being injury or killed. I have 11 B&C and 5 P&Y bucks on the wall. I worked hard for these animals and respect each one. After 41 years of hunting I consider myself a sportsman not a killer. Have respect for the animal you hunt. I do! You better enjoy your hunting while you can. If Wisconsin hunters continue harvesting deer like they have in the past years there will be no deer. The DNR needs to stop T-Zone, EAB and Herd control. Their numbers are WAY OFF!!! Once there is snow look for deer sign. Good Luck! You will need it!
Posted by: peter Location: rock falls on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:14 AM
this group will be the ones crying next year because they didnt see any deer! this mentality should not be encouraged. thank god for private land as us landowners can keep these kill crazy hunters confined to public areas only! i would encourage anyone who has granted permission for this bunch to hunt their land to not allow them to hunt next year.
Posted by: resident Location: augusta on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:08 AM
-BK "barron co." I agree. I used to bartend in that area and most of the hunters complained about not getting any deer. But guess where they came for breakfast, lunch & dinner?? You aren't going to get any deer while sitting in a bar! I really think hunting season in this state has turned into a drinkfest and party time for not all, but most hunters. Those people who didn't see anything, maybe try scouting land before hand and if this year wasn't so good, try a different place. This isn't just a 9 day season, it takes time and effort all year long. And I know this hunting party. They will walk through the places no wants to go. Maybe some people should lay off the twinkies and go the extra mile into the woods. :)
Posted by: Charlie Location: Bloomer on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Come TV-13 be fair. Do a report on how the majority of hunters saw much of nothing! Do some real reporting and investigating on how the DNR could be so far off in their counts, and who is responsible for that error. When are people going to realize that big business (insurance lobbyists) are behind all of this. Take a stand against our corrupt government!
Posted by: Dave Location: Wisconsin Rapids on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Yea, I don't know about the DNR these days. I bet a four year old could count better than them. I think the DNR should try and conduct a study on the number of deer that hunters have seen, or have not seen. Maybe the DNR are miss counting on purpose so that people are happy with the low chance of hitting a deer with their cars. All I know is that a lot of city folk people are going to be happy now because when they have to drive through the country side these upcoming years, there probably will be less venison on their grills. (Car grill)
Posted by: Rob Location: La Crosse on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:55 AM
I think it is sad at best. It is hunters like this that give the rest of us a bad name. Next year they will complain that they are not seeing anything. When you continue to take the breed stock out the population will drop. I am very familiar with the area in which they harvested these deer and the deer numbers are not there. There are more people then they think that are not very happy about this type of hunting. They need to stay in the Augusta area and out of the north woods.
Posted by: Disgusting Location: Thankfully not Augusta on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:29 PM
It's sad to watch deer hunting in WI deteriorate like it has in the past few years. Maybe a few groups did ok this year, but I don't think that was the case for the vast majority of hunters. For me the number of deer I saw was down in rifle and bow seasons, although I could be considered lazy as I haven't found a good way to make drives with a bow yet. I'm still relying on things such as scouting, strategic stand placement, and scent control to make the hunt successful. As long as the DNR gives away doe tags for next to nothing, there will be people like the Prices who will take it upon themselves to shoot as many deer as possible. The deer herd can only take so much. In my mind, shooting 53 deer in one season is as impressive as picking deer off of a corn pile or bagging a Boone & Crockett buck off of a Buffalo Co. game farm.
Posted by: Greg Location: Alma on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:42 PM
That is so not the hole stoary! I am a sucksesful hunture and i know that bares and wolves arnt the problem. I admitt that cars do harvest moast of the deer but hunters do there part to.
Posted by: BK Location: Barron County on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I saw 14 deer from my stand on opening day, shot a nice big doe. Then went to work for a few days. Went out after the big Thanksgiving meal on Thursday and shot a buck. Two deer is all my family needs for the year. I'm not here to whine. For me, it was a great season. Use some common sense, put some time in the woods, and you might be successful. People like to whine they didn't see any deer. Some of these people sit at the bar most of the day in their hunting clothes and stink of cigarette smoke. Others drive around all day in their truck too lazy to get out in the woods and whine because they didnt get a deer. Here's an idea. Quit whining, stop buying cigarettes, and go buy a 1/2 of beef from the meat plant with the extra money you have. To those of you who put your time in and didn't see a deer, I hope you have better luck next year. Not every year is going to be a good one. Congrats to the Augusta hunters, and enjoy your venison as I will be enjoying mine!
Posted by: Shawn on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Were these the only 53 deer in the state. I agree the someone from the DNR probly had a hand in posting this story. I bet when the numbers come out, the DNR will say this was the most successful hunt to date, just so they don't look bad. this years hunt was awful. There are so many bears, wolves and other predetors in record numbers in the state, along with car accidents and are bad winter, that I'm willing to bet the heard is less then a million. The DNR needs to admit there mistake and fix the problem.
Posted by: Tom Location: Whitehall on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:03 PM
That's great that you guys have to do a story about hunters that have to kill 53 deer in a 9 day hunting season. That shows a lot to the up and coming hunters and the non-hunters that make us look like killers, you are just proving the non-hunters and making all hunters look like killers where the majority of us are there for the experience and enjoyment of hunting. Between the gun and bow season I was lucky enough to harvest 2 deer of 75-100 deer that I could have shot and decided to pass on so other people could enjoy them as well as I do. Keep it up shooting the high number of deer and we won't have any deer to enjoy.
Posted by: jo Location: deerfield on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:56 PM
my season did not live up to the name of town i live,good job guys-girls,d.n.r.i'm sure is happy w/the count
Posted by: Jacob Location: Alma on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:49 PM
We shot 37 deer with 34 hunters during the 9-day season. It was our most successful year yet. We have hit over 30 deer for the last ten years. If we would have shot all the young bucks, we would have came up with over 60 deer. If you ask me, don't blame it on the DNR. People are LAZY. If we would of sat all day in the same stand, we might of only got 15 deer. GET UP AND MAKE A DRIVE! ACTUALLY TRY TO WORK FOR YOUR DEER!
Posted by: sally Location: Augusta on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:48 PM
That's 53 less deer I have to worry about hitting with my vehicle this year. I'm sure the insurance companies appreciate it.
Posted by: Fred Location: Eau Claire on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:24 PM
This group did what the DNR wanted. Killed as many deer as possible. Brown is down!! I hunt in a group of 9. By Tuesday we had seen 3 deer. We made drives after Wednesday morning. Your speical strategy hasbeen used since the stone age. We saw a total of 9 deer the whole season. We harvested one 12 pointer with a 18 inch spread. We did not kill the fawns and does because the herd is suffering enough. I am just glad we were not hunting in a EAB area. Something has to be done. The deer herd is nothing compared to years ago. If this keeps up will there be any deer left for our children to hunt?
Posted by: Attaboy Location: Mondovi on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Sounds like Rich and the gang hunt like we used to. Work for them.You cant sit and wait for some big buck to shoot,just for bragging rights,then keep the horns and hide and " donate" the meat to food pantry cause its to tuff to eat.Lots of deer around,They are not going to come looking for you,you've got to move around to get them to move.Doe's and fawns are the best eating,I don't think anyone goes to a restarant and orders an expensive steak from an old bull.If you've got trouble finding deer,come to Buffalo county with an old beater and drive around the bluffs,you are bound to find one right in front of you.
Posted by: Larry Location: Sparta on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Although deer drives are a way to hunt deer it is also the way 5 people were accidentally shot this year. Also the prctice of driving or herding deer interfers with other hunters on public land.
Posted by: me Location: up north on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Did not see 53 deer all of archery and gun season.did see the none existent wolves and alot of law enforcement people scaring many hunters away.
Posted by: jason Location: chippewa falls on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:21 PM
The sad thing about the deer kill being down this year is that the DNR aka (Do Nothing Right)will probably make the whole state an earn a buck next year to get the deer kill up again. Just like the underestimation of bear in the state. The DNR underestimated the bear population by 13,000. Going from 26,000 to 39,000. The DNR's best resoure and friend are the hunters, but apparently they don't care. The DNR is going to see less licenses being purchased and fewer younger hunters being interested, but can you blame them? But on the other hand the DNR will keep blowing smoke up everyone's you know what and sugarcoat this year's deer kill and make excuses why the kill was down.
Posted by: Hannah Location: Cadott on Dec 1, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Wow 53 deer that is amazing! We went for 2 days and got annoyed because we couldn't see anything!
Posted by: John Location: EC on Dec 1, 2008 at 04:16 PM
This article upsets me. I have hunted for 38 years. Hunting is suppose to be a sport not a slaughter. Anyone can kill an animal that is driven to them with a gun. Outlaw drives and see how many deer they kill. The DNR are destroying our sport. The deer population is LOW!! If we allow this to continue deer will be on the endangered list. I have spent roughly 250 hours in the woods. I small game hunt, bow hunt and rifle. This year I observed 18 deer and consider myself LUCKY after hearing how many others have seen. I have harvested over 35 deer in my hunting career. Not one was a fawn. Groups like this do not hunt. They KILL!!! The only thing they accomplished was to damage the deer herd for the future. Wolves are incredible hunters; however, they do not have the land they need in WI. WHen there main food supply (DEER) is gone they will turn other means. They have attacked livestock already. How much longer will it be before a hiker, hunter or worst of all a child is attacked or worse?
Posted by: Timmy Location: Area with no deer on Dec 1, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Great story. I've got another one for you: I know a guy who sat for 17 hours on opening weekend (that's sun-up to sun-down on Saturday, and 7 more hours on Sunday) and saw ZERO deer. Oh, here's another story: a guy I know has hunted for 47 consecutive years in the same area, and if it wasn't for seeing one buck on the last day of the hunt during a deer drive, this would have been the first year EVER he didn't see a buck. I think those stories are more indicative of what hunters experienced this year. I don't blame the hunters for eradicating the deer as much as I blame the DNR for not only allowing it, but encouraging it... sickening. And then we hear stories about not enough young people hunting. Well, what teenager wants to sit in a tree all day and not even see a deer... give me a break.
Posted by: Enuff Location: Wisconsin on Dec 1, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Excellent news story, not because shooting 53 deer is special or even right, but because it showed the mentality of some. These types of individuals (hunters) exist and run contrary to other hunters who hunt traditionally or for quality. Without this story many of the public or even some DNR could not fathom the thought that some groups just slaughter to slaughter. It was completely within their legal right to do so, but perhaps not ethical or appropriate. I sincerely hope that they put the meat to use and were not just killing the deer for thrill. I think the spokesperson for the group who appeared on camera adequately portrayed the mentality and intellect of the group. My guess is he was probably the brightest bulb in the bunch. I think this story along with other stories about the low harvest numbers from opening weekend, presents the widely varying views of what is hunting success. I don't think it validates or justifies the DNR's mgmt.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:35 PM
These same idiots will complain next year that they are seeing the numbers of deer they used to see, and they will blame everyone but themselves.
Posted by: AJ on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:12 PM
I agree with Aaron, we hunt just south east of fall creek (Harvest-Zone) and all the hunters in the same woods we hunt in saw the fewest amount of deer they have seen in several years. Letting people shoot as many deer as they want is a joke and will back fire on the DNR. I also have been hunting for 27 years and I think that 25 people doing constant deer drives to get their deer is not real deer hunting and takes very little skill compared to more traditional hunting methods. Presenting stories like this just gives anti-hunting advocates more to complain about and does not represent how most hunters hunt for deer.
Posted by: Travis Location: Chippewa on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I agree with Aaron. I hunted 8 days out of 9 and did not see a deer. Out of 10 guys in our group we got 1 doe. 6 out of 10 did not even see a deer this whole season. I have to mention we did hear wolves nearby our shack 2 nights in a row. Maybe that had something to do with it???
Posted by: UpNorthHunter Location: Chippewa on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Well, if we had 25 guys to line up and sweep sections, we'd probably get 53 sooner or later. The deer population isn't what it was and having snow down, there were few tracks. Wolf tracks we had, bear we had. No, the DNR has a different kind of math than us I think. And to put this article up and make people think that the people who didn't get deer weren't moving around is not an accurate thing. I don't know of any deer hunting camps that have 25 hunters, more than likely they have 6 to 10 and pushing deer with that many people isn't as easy. Course, the unknowledgeable will think that there are deer crawling out of the woodwork now that this was put out on TV...
Posted by: Chad Location: Chippewa on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:45 PM
53 deer? It's great that these people had fun now, but is this the way to ensure the future of whitetail hunting? The DNR seems to be on a mission to rid the state of all these beautiful animals and this group of hunters seems to be following along perfectly. Do you really need that many deer? There's a huge difference between hunting and killing. These people seem to really enjoy killing. If this keeps up, there will be no more deer to enjoy.
Posted by: me Location: wi on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I just hope that all that meat doesn't go to waste. There were a lot of folks this year that went home empty handed that rely on their harvest to feed their family. In case these people were unaware, there isn't a lot of meat on a fawn. Take a little pride in what you do, quality not quantity!
Posted by: anonymous Location: Eau Claire on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Did you ever think that because of how rare this type of thing is, is the reason they did the story. I only saw a few deer this year as well, but it was much slower. I think the rarity of it is what makes it the story. And the deer probably shouldn't have been left outside for that long, although some of the cold nights probably did help. I'm really not a fan of shooting the fawns either, but I guess that is their choice. What truly hurt this year was the lack of snow cover, and the fact that the season was a little later this year than last year, so not nearly as many deer moving.
Posted by: Greg Location: Eau Claire on Dec 1, 2008 at 12:15 PM
People need to realize the deer herd is not as strong as the DNR states. The kill is down from last year. We are destroying our natural resource. By killing off fawns and does you are destroying the herd for 2009. When you take into account how many deer are killed by cars, nature and natural preditors the count is much higher. Years ago you had to have four hunters to recieve one antlerless tag. Now the DNR hands them out without thinking. (UNLIMITED FOR A FEE)Fifty-three deer is nothing to drag about. Thirty-eight were fawns and does. How many does here pregnant? They only killed off next years herd. I am just hoping my children will have deer to hunt in the future.
Posted by: chuck Location: chippewa falls on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:45 AM
This group will be the ones complaining next year about not seeing any deer. If it's brown, it is down! Ever heard of quality deer management?
Posted by: Aaron Location: Eau Claire on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Did the DNR pay WEAU to post this story? I find it kinda funny that you report a story about hunters being very successful like this after one of the worst gun seasons ever. Actually Im going to include bow season in there too. I dont think there is 53 deer in the entire area that I hunt any more, The DNR has made us kill them all off. Why not do a report on the reality of what the majority of hunters seen (I mean didnt see) this season and what they think needs to be done. Or head up north and ask people who hunt up there if they seen any deer. I have talked to a few who seen more wolves than deer. No more "T" zone hunts and no more EAB for the areas that just dont have the number of deer. The DNR needs to change the batteries in their calculators if you ask me.
Posted by: lois Location: wisconsin on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:24 AM
that is a lot of deer!
Posted by: Becca Location: Eau Claire on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:49 AM
I find it very disgusting for these people to be hanging their dead deer in the front yard. Isn't it a health hazard??
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